The Buzz

According to the Mar. 18 OC Register, more than 100 people attended the city’s Mar. 15 chili cook-off, which raised more than $350 for charity. Participants donated $5 to attend, so shouldn’t the event have raised more than $500? The city doesn’t subtract overhead, particularly for Character Committee events that involve enormous expense for staff supervision, facilities, materials and city employees’ attendance to increase the headcount. The Character Committee consists of a dozen or so kids being supervised by city staff members. The Committee holds staff-run meetings, shows staff-supervised movies and throws dinner parties for its members, city employees and guests. Despite an extremely low level of interest among kids, city administrators claim the Character Committee is a huge success. The staff thinks that holding charitable “fundraisers” (debt-raisers) should deflect criticism about expense or why the city is involving itself in “values education.”

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During the Mar. 17 council meeting, several residents made public comments about the need for restrooms in city parks. Councilman Frank Ury responded by referring to the residents’ animosity before telling them off. At the beginning of each council meeting, lengthy presentations take a great deal of time and usually have nothing to do with council business. Residents wanting to address a city issue often wait hours to speak and get told off.

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Last week, city hall promoted a charity garage sale. Isn’t the city involved in an effort to remove garage sale signs on Saturday mornings? Observers have seen a worker driving a city-owned vehicle – a truck with the city emblem on its doors – taking down signs from the city streets. In January, the city’s overzealous sign-taker also confiscated approximately $500 worth of real estate signs. When the Realtor tried to get his signs back, a city staffer said no real estate signs had been taken, although witnesses reported they saw the city worker taking the signs.

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Post from city watchdog Larry Gilbert, “As a pack rat, the toughest job for me is throwing out old records. No, not 45s or 78s. I mean city or other stuff that I may reference. Case in point is the recent dialogue of splitting CA into multiple states. From the Feb. 3, 2009, OC Register Letters to the Editor: Headline. "The California split" was today's column, "Time for state of South California," [Guest column, Feb. 1] written by a Chuck DeVore Senate supporter? Not a bad idea. DeVore would not have to invest time and effort to defeat Sen. Barbara Boxer next year. However the guest writer needs to point out the criteria for creation of any new state which is found in Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. Kentucky, Maine and West Virginia are the only states formed from others. We would need to convince Congress of the benefits for such action other than to add two new U.S. Senators. Two South California Republicans could be elected together. Great concept.” The author the column was Larry Gilbert.

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Announcement from Orange County Common Core Concerned Citizens ( http://orangecountycccc.com ): The new Common Core math and reading standards have come under a firestorm of criticism. But why criticize something meant to help students? Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, candidate for California governor, will join Robert Hammond, a member of the OC Board of Education and Lydia Gutierrez, candidate for State Superintendent, to cover the topic with expertise. Q & A will follow. The meeting will be on Fri., April 4, 6:30 p.m., at First Baptist Yorba Linda, 18372 Lemon Drive, Yorba Linda. No childcare will be provided during this meeting. Free admission, but please RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/hosted-by-faithful-christian-servants-of-orange-county-6237969249?s=23169679