The Buzz

Tea Party leaders and founders of SOC912, Cathy and Kevin Richardson will present a program on Mon., Dec. 2, at the Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. From the website: “Let’s Celebrate America! One Nation Under God! … You don't want to miss this meeting where you will be spiritually refreshed and empowered which we believe will transcend to America. As Benjamin Franklin acknowledged, God is interested in the affairs of man. RSVP today; seating limited to 30; no charge. We will be meeting in the Lantana room. Light refreshments. We look forward to seeing you.” Read more at http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/151648262/

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City watchdogs and other activists conversing with residents are finding there is little interest in council meetings or what city hall is doing. These are the findings of volunteers who are conversing with Mission Viejo residents while delivering Community Common Sense, the new local newspaper focused on city news. Anyone who has attempted to watch a council meeting lately should have noticed how long it takes the council to address business matters. According to city policy, the business portion of the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Lately, presentations have taken up to two hours. Such presentations include a history lesson, awards and lengthy talks of little interest to the public. When the camera turns to the audience, almost no one is there. Such poorly managed meetings discourage attendance and public participation.

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City hall’s Farmers Market will end on Dec. 14. Economically, it’s a resounding flop, demonstrating why government employees shouldn’t meddle in private enterprise. While a farmers market should not have been opened on city property or with taxpayer funds, it is ending after nearly two years of the city staff diverting public money into the proprietor’s hands. The amount of taxes paid to the pseudo-farmers market isn’t known – yet. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht put an item on the Nov. 18 council agenda to ask about the city’s financial involvement. City employee Keith Rattay stated the total bill for nearly two years is approximately $21,000. His answer is stunning – and not just because the city staff has no business giving $21,000 to a private business. Taxpayers have funded full-page newspaper ads, countless flyers and brochures, a city website for the market, “giveaway” imprinted canvas shopping bags, entertainers, musicians, a petting zoo, “health fairs,” unrelated vendors known as artesian alley, MVTV coverage, videos and press releases. Rattay gave no breakout of costs regarding how all the popup booths are placed, supplied with electrical power, dismantled and cleaned up. This doesn’t include the largest expense – city staff time to orchestrate all the hoopla, recruit entertainers, vendors, etc.

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Does everyone remember Easelgate and how Rattay lied to a newspaper reporter about the expense of the city’s 20th anniversary party? Rattay lied about costs, the use of city contractors and a pretense of community involvement in city hall’s month-long party. Marketgate is emerging, and Rattay’s party has been going on for nearly two years.

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During the Nov. 18 council meeting, Mission Viejo resident Steve Wontrobski presented financial data during his public comments. His information about the Orange County Fire Authority has led to newspaper articles on OCFA’s financial problems. After he spoke for three minutes – the limit for public comments – Mayor Rhonda Reardon indicated his time was up. It’s her job to moderate the meeting and limit comments to the stated length. However, another resident made comments about all the “wonderful” cultural arts activities. After running out of time, she continued listing everything she could think of in the way of a class, event, display, etc. After another three minutes, she decided to talk about another organization. The three-minute limit depends more on the topic than the clock.