The Buzz

Programs and guest speakers for events this week:

ACT! for America on Mon., Apr. 14, 7:30 p.m., Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Guest speaker Louis Lionheart will present “Islam and Western Civilization: Are they Compatible? An Expert on World Religions Explains the Challenges of Co-Existence.”

Capo Valley Republican Women Federated on Wed., Apr. 16, 9:00, Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Dr., San Juan Capistrano. The program will feature candidates running in the June Primary Election.

SRA on Thurs., Apr. 17, 7:00 p.m., Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Guest speaker David Whitley’s presentation will be about the shortcomings of Common Core, the national curriculum for schools.

SOC912 on Fri., Apr. 18, 7:00 p.m., Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. The program topic will be “The Threat to Our Power Grid – Domestic Terrorism – For the Record.”

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Post from city watchdog Larry Gilbert, “Today [Apr. 12] was the grand opening of the Mission Viejo $1.4 million dog park, Phase I. I visited after our cruise at Doheny. Notice the city provided Porta Potties yet does not provide the same humanitarian accommodations for scheduled AYSO soccer games in parks without access to a bathroom, leaving players and adults to break the law and relieve themselves behind a bush or tree. However, I’ll stay on topic, for now!”

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A Board of Supervisors candidate forum was held in Laguna Woods last week. Three candidates competing for the BOS 5th District seat are Robert Ming of Laguna Niguel, Lisa Bartlett of Dana Point and Frank Ury of Mission Viejo. Ury apparently thought it was a liar’s contest. OC Political blog posted a summary, including Ury’s statements [whoppers] about his background and accomplishments, http://ocpolitical.com/ . For openers, Ury says he’s an engineer, but when was the last time he worked as an engineer – 20 years ago? Ury’s many jobs have been in sales or information technology, not engineering. For laughs, check out Ury’s remark that he doesn’t support more toll lanes – the exact opposite of what he said last year when a toll lane addition was at stake on the 405. While the blog did a good job of recording statements, the writer didn’t add color – Ury’s pants burst into flame whenever he opened his mouth.

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Another of Ury’s claims has led to a complaint with the O.C. District Attorney. His invitation to a fundraiser indicates Orange County Transportation Authority officials are involved in campaign fundraising. As a taxpayer-funded governmental organization, OCTA can’t do that. Here’s the exact wording from Ury’s very strange invitation: “Please Join Friends AND Supporters for a Fundraising Reception for Frank Ury, Mission Viejo Councilman, and OCTA Board of Directors.”

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An update on the International Tennis Federation tournament fiasco is coming soon. The information indicates this is typical of the corruption in city hall, yet it hits a new level of malfeasance, self-dealing and throwing away tax dollars.