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The Buzz, 7-20-13 On Oct. 13, 2012, Pres. Obama boasted: “[W]e refused to throw in the towel and do nothing. We refused to let Detroit go bankrupt. I bet on American workers and American ingenuity and three years later that bet is paying off in a big way.” July 18, 2013: Really? *** A city watchdog forwarded the following information about the special meeting of the Mission Viejo City Council on July 22: “At the last council meeting, the city council rejected staff’s recommendations to hire All City Management Services for its school crossing guard services. This rejection by the council, with the concurrence of the city attorney, was based on statements by both the employees and management. They said that under the terms of the new contract, they could not guarantee safety protocols. Consequently, the contract with ACMS was soundly rejected, and Monday’s meeting is to award the contract to American Guard Services. The second item on the agenda is to host an ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tournament at no cost to the city.” *** Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will have a potluck dinner on Sat., Aug. 3, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Laguna Woods clubhouse. Attendees should RSVP prior to July 31 by emailing Chapter President Bruce Mayall at ACT.MV@cox.net with the number of people they will bring. Bruce adds: “Instead of our formal chapter meeting in August, we're having an informal potluck social in Laguna Woods, Clubhouse 2, where there are dining room and kitchen facilities available. There is also a patio with a pleasant view just outside to the east, which will be in the shade at that time of day.” Family and friends of ACT members are welcome to attend. *** Blog reader comment: “There was a large ad in the Orange County Register on July 13 to attract potential buyers to affordable housing in Mission Viejo. The ad was placed by Lennar for their high-density condo project at Jeronimo and Los Alisos. Looks like Lennar cannot sell the units for lack of qualified buyers, even in this alleged housing boom. When the council approved this project more than five years ago, the developer arranged false testimony at council meetings. The developer was claiming the units would be filled with policemen, teachers and firemen. Those professionals don’t qualify because they make too much money. The developer also gave false hope to people with low or no incomes. Supposedly, getting a job at the new Target Store – mostly part-time jobs – would lead to buying one of the affordable units. By now, everyone should get it. The developer recently got the council majority to approve lowering the qualifications so more buyers would qualify, and the units are still not selling.” *** A county blogger asks, “Would you pay $80 to listen to the CEO of the embattled OC Toll Roads?” From the article: “Well this is a bit awkward. It is going to cost you as much as $80 to attend the Advancing Women in Transportation, Orange County Chapter’s “Welcome Reception Honoring Neil Peterson, CEO of the O.C. Transportation Corridor Agencies,” which is set for Wednesday, July 24, 2013 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at The Center Club, which is located at 650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. What is awkward about that? Well according to Bloomberg, the O.C. Transportation Corridor Agencies may default on $2.4 billion of bonds unless a planned restructuring takes place, according to a report from state Treasurer Bill Lockyer. Whoops! Will anyone attending this reception dare ask Peterson about that?” Read more, http://ocpoliticsblog.com/would-you-pay-80-to-listen-to-the-ceo-of-the-embattled-oc-toll-roads/ *** The decision last month to shut down the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station came after Southern California Edison’s extensive PR campaign to downplay problems and safety concerns. The PR campaign had occasional setbacks, including the publication of Huffington Post’s article with a photo: “Well, this doesn't look good. A shuttered California nuclear power plant's bid to reopen may have been dealt a blow -- in the minds of the public, at least -- with the publication of a picture that shows a leaky pipe being held together with masking tape, plastic bags and broom handles.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/02/san-onofre-leaky-pipe-fixed-tape-plastic-bag_n_3203289.html Last week, from Dana Point Times, July 18, “Edison Seeks to Hold Mitsubishi Responsible for Issues that Closed SONGS. Southern California Edison has taken the first step in attempting to recover funds from the manufacturer of the malfunctioning replacement equipment that ultimately led to the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station last month.” http://www.danapointtimes.com/2013/07/18/edison-seeks-to-hold-mitsubishi-responsible-for-issues-that-closed-songs/ Perhaps the information will now emerge with SCE taking aim at someone besides community members asking questions about safety. *** A watchdog’s email last week notes the finger-pointing between SCE and Mitsubishi: “Today, Edison and Mitsubishi argue via their lawyers: who screwed the pooch at SONGS? Why the catastrophic engineering SNAFU in redesigning the failed steam generators to the tune of billions of dollars lost when radioactive smoke clears in 30 years. Whose fault was it really? “Reading ongoing newspaper reports, screwing the pooch at SONGS was a shared effort. Edison wanted more and more tube-umph, and Mitsubishi refused to just say no. Fact of life: In every SNAFU, it takes two. Fonzi couldn't jump a shark that wasn't there, and solo SNAFUs are impossible. Today's blame game is the only game in town. But we know who screwed the pooch at SONGS. Edison & Mitsubishi jumped the shark together. “Simple math: It always takes two. Question: how many engineers, managers, boards of directors and CEOs does it take to create havoc at a nuclear facility? Answer: all of 'em.” Joe Holtzman |
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