The Buzz

According to definitions by City Hall, the city’s “reserves” include money that is obligated for operating expenses. City Hall also uses the term “discretionary” to refer to the same funds – money that is encumbered, earmarked or already spent. When the city says it has $25 million in reserves, how much of it is NOT obligated or encumbered? The answer came during the Sept. 4 council meeting: approximately $800,000. City Manager Dennis Wilberg first denied the amount is less than a million dollars, but the city’s own figures indicate the total is approximately $800,000.

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The council conversation on Sept. 4 about the city’s financial status was as usual, bizarre. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht pointed to the city’s reserves of three years ago at $50 million. After showing the number is now down to $25 million, she said the treasury is “moving in the wrong direction.” Councilman Frank Ury jumped in, saying no, Mission Viejo is in fine shape. According to Ury, if it wanted to, the city could demonstrate its financial strength by paving the entire stretch of Marguerite Parkway. Schlicht responded, “Yes, but then it wouldn’t have money for anything else.” Ury said, “That’s why we’re not doing it.” That kind of logic doesn’t impress anyone. It might explain why Ury has had four different jobs in eight years.

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A revealing quote came from Councilman Dave Leckness after he attended a Republican club’s book-signing event for Michael Reagan in June. Leckness said during the June 18 council meeting that he attended the event, “expecting it would be about Ronald Reagan and not about a lot of Republican stuff.” Such is the comprehension of Leckness, who changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republicrat on April 27, 2011. He said he was pressured into switching to Republican, which might explain why he doesn’t understand why people would be talking about “Republican stuff” at a Republican meeting. Does Dave not know President Ronald Reagan was a Republican?

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Aegean Hills residents continue to be concerned about the number of homes in their HOA that have been converted to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The conversions have impacted schools to the point students are imported from other cities to prop up enrollment in Mission Viejo. Aegean Hills homeowners note it is difficult to maintain a sense of community with so many nursing home businesses occupying single-family homes. According to residents, one real estate agent targeted as many homeowners as possible, trying to get them to convert their homes or sell to assisted-care businesses. More than 100 such facilities have been set up in Aegean Hills, and the saturation negatively impacts the assisted-care facilities as well.

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Council candidate Ed Sachs sent an announcement last week, suggesting the city create a temporary dog park. City Hall has used the dog park issue as a political wedge, often pitting one group of residents against another, but never making any real progress toward building a dog park. City activists initiated the idea of a dog park at Barbadanes Park, and they have also promoted the concept of a temporary dog park. The 15-year debate about a dog park has outlived many dogs. City Hall’s stance has become ridiculous, raising the price to more than $1 million and then saying there’s no money for it.