Elected Officials Exaggerate
by Larry Gilbert

Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury and President Obama used the same flawed playbook. Fudge data to support your assertions.

In Mission Viejo we had the Improve Don't Move permit waivers, where evidence confirms that residents and businesses were renovating their properties before and after this giveaway of our tax dollars happened.

Regarding his signature program of Obamacare, the president said in the State of the Union speech "nine million" [signed up for coverage]. The number is a little larger now, since the figures are a few weeks old. But there is strong new evidence to suggest the administration's claims are grossly exaggerated and deeply misleading. Obamacare is not doing nearly as well as the president wants you to believe.

First, Medicaid. This week, the health consulting firm Avalere found that only 1 million to 2 million of the 6.3 million who signed up for Medicaid were new enrollees brought into the program by Obamacare. The rest were people who were eligible and would have signed up for Medicaid irrespective of Obamacare, in addition to people who were already on Medicaid but were renewing their status. (The researchers reached their conclusion by comparing the Obamacare signups with a recent period before the new health law went into effect.)

New Edition of Newspaper

The February issue of Community Common Sense (CCS) was released last week and delivered to 20,000 Mission Viejo residences. The watchdog newspaper was founded in San Juan Capistrano in 2009, and it expanded into Mission Viejo last August.

Four articles in the February issue are about Mission Viejo.

On the front page is “Ethics Matter” by Joe Holtzman. He reveals Wendy Bucknum’s failure to recuse herself as a city commissioner when she had a conflict of interest. At stake, thousands of dollars were being given to organizations requesting taxpayer funds. Bucknum acknowledged her conflict of interest (her association with a group requesting funds). She participated in the discussion by staying on the dais. Bucknum, a housing lobbyist, is a council candidate, and the council decides on proposals to develop apartments and other high-density housing. Bucknum’s lack of concern regarding her conflict of interest should be a red flag for voters.

On page 7 is the lowdown on the city staff’s fiasco, hosting a wheelchair tennis tournament. Despite the spin about a “good cause,” the tournament is for professional players – it is not a charity. City Manager Dennis Wilberg diverted funds without council approval, and he used city employees as “volunteers” during business hours. Taxpayers provided 36 professional tennis players and their entourage a five-day luxury vacation at a four-star hotel. Other amenities included $45,000 in “free” meals, plus a private party for the players at the Mission Viejo Country Club.

On page 8, city watchdog Larry Gilbert peels back a claim by Councilman Frank Ury on the city’s “Improve Don’t Move” (IDM) program. Ury touts IDM for waiving permit fees for residential and commercial improvements. Gilbert shows the improvements would have been done anyway, and the city didn’t need to give away $470,000 in fees. Instead of charging the homeowners and businesses benefiting from their own property improvements, taxpayers paid an independent contractor $550,000 for plan-check and inspection services.

On page 9 is an article by City Commissioner Ed Sachs, who serves on the city’s Financial Advisory Board. He describes the high cost of big government, including the 41 city staffers whose salaries exceed $100,000 annually. The city increasingly involves itself in events and programs that compete with the private sector. The article also provides links to the wages and compensation of all government employees.

Read the February edition of CCS online, http://www.ccsense.com/

Bucknum Campaign Update
Part 2

Wendy Bucknum has announced she’s running again for a council seat this November . After losing in the 2012 election, she has never stopped campaigning and soliciting funds from special interest and out-of-town donors.

As emphasized in last week’s Part 1, Bucknum is a professional lobbyist in the housing industry. With housing developers eyeing such Mission Viejo properties as the Casta Del Sol Golf Course and the former Unisys building on Jeronimo, can anyone guess who is financing Bucknum’s council campaign?

From Part 1: “Mission Viejo residents can get the idea about Bucknum’s vision for the city by reviewing her Form 460 report. Financing her city council campaign are apartment developers, a real estate attorney, John Saunders (is he the owner of the property that formerly housed Unisys on Jeronimo Road?), builders associations and Roger Faubel, who was the P.R. agent when Sunrise proposed high-density housing on the Casta Del Sol Golf Course.” Here’s the complete list of donors on Bucknum’s latest report: http://www.missionviejoca.org/html/article3105.html

As another heads-up for voters, look at the number of organizations in which Bucknum participates. She attends events, meetings and parties during normal business hour as well as evenings and weekends. She says she really, really likes being involved in the community. Does anyone know of a business that would allow a full-time employee such absence during work hours? Again, Bucknum is a professional lobbyist in the housing industry – it’s her job to “participate.” Voters should foresee the problems of a lobbyist on the council, where she could enrich special interest with tax dollars and have easy access to elected officials.

Voters should also look at the number of elected officials endorsing Bucknum’s candidacy. These are her lobbying “customers.” To an uninformed voter who doesn’t understand Bucknum’s job, the list of names is impressive. To the informed voter, it is appalling that elected officials would endorse a lobbyist.

In next week’s update, learn about Bucknum’s “gifts” of taxpayer dollars to organizations. By sitting on the city’s Community Services Commission, she gets to recommend funding of tax dollars to charities and other groups. Given that she eagerly approves every tax dollar giveaway, residents should anticipate she will go back to those organizations and ask for their members’ votes in return for the favor.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise and non-profit groups.

A Hidden Vine on the Lake, Valentine’s Day, Fri., Feb. 14 , unique and delicious dining experience with a multi-course dinner and wines chosen specifically for the event. One seating at 7:30 p.m., 27772 Vista del Lago, Suite B-15, Mission Viejo, (949) 916-4810, http://www.ahiddenvine.com/wine_tasting.html

WineWorks, live music every Friday, happy hour Tues.-Sat., check the website for wine tastings and other events, 26342 Oso Parkway, Suite 103, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-0026, http://www.wineworksforeveryone.com/tastings-events.php

La Vida Drum Circle, Fri., Feb. 14, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (Feb. 14, Mar. 16, Apr. 15, etc.). Drummers should bring their drums. Firewood is appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/things-we-dig/

St. Kilian’s Recycling Drive, Sat., Feb. 15, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, held on the third Saturday of each month. Organized by Knights of Columbus; acceptable items include aluminum, paper and plastic. No glass or cardboard. Lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 472-1249, http://www.stkilianchurch.org

Soka University concerts, Hawaiian music by George Kuo, Martin Pahinui & Aaron Mahi Sat., Feb. 15, 8:00 p.m.; Dale Kristian and Bill Hutton, “The Glorious Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” on Sun., Feb. 23, 3:00 p.m. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Cabrillo Playhouse, Sun., Feb. 16, 6:00 p.m., “Local Sunday Sessions,” every third Sunday, three local musical acts, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, (949) 492-0465, http://cabrilloplayhouse.org

Concordia University Concert, “A Night for Valentines,” Sun., Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m., a heart-warming concert of love songs performed by the Men’s Chorus and Women’s Ensemble, Concordia University Irvine, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 854-8002, http://www.cui.edu/AcademicPrograms/Undergraduate/Music/tabid/302/ctl/Details/Mid/2322/I temID/178/Default.aspx

Holiday Ice Rink, Irvine Spectrum Center, private and group skate lessons are available, open daily through Feb. 17, Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, (949) 753-5180, http://www.skatespectrum.com

Mount of Olives Church SHARE Food Drive on Sun., Mar. 2, (first Sunday of each month) helps families in crisis, http://moochurch.org/share . Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.org/

First Thursday Art Walk, Laguna Beach, Thurs., Mar. 6, 6:00 p.m., member galleries throughout Laguna Beach, including the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive at North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://firstthursdaysartwalk.com/

Mariachis at the Mission, Sat., Mar. 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; second Saturday of each month, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-1300, http://missionsjc.com

Political and Government Events Calendar

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.; 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., Feb. 12. A Special Meeting will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the Regular Meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. The board meets at the district office, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. Agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/

OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., Feb. 12, 6:00 p.m. The council meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Veterans Service Office, Conference Room A/B, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, https://cms.ocgov.com/gov/occr/occs/veterans/advisory/default.asp

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Wed., Feb. 12. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., Feb. 14, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Feb. 21, 7:30 a.m.; 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

Nixon Library, Sun., Feb. 16, Southern California Youth Philharmonic, Robert Frelly, conductor. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and music begins at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Mon., Feb. 17, Presidents Day Celebration starting at 10:00 a.m.; meet Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt; the U.S. Air Force Band of the Gold West will perform; free admission all day. Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Tues., Feb. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., Feb. 19, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., MNWD Main Office, 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://mnwd.com/board-of-directors-2/

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Feb. 19, bus tour to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library instead of a regular meeting, leaving Strands Park in Dana Point at 9:00 a.m. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 240-6799 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

SOC912 will hold a joint meeting with Saddleback Republican Assembly on Thurs., Feb. 20, 7:00 p.m., at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Guest speaker will be Loren Spivak, who founded “Free Market Warrior” in 2009 in an effort to make a positive difference in American politics and economics. http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/161553102/

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Feb. 20, 7:00 p.m. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in July, August and December) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 769-1412.

Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100, http://ocgov.com/cals/?ViewBy=7&CalDate=1/15/2013&EventDateID=89649

Rush Limbaugh Club of Orange County will meet on Sat., Mar. 8. Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The group meets on second Saturdays of the month. The breakfast is $15.00 or attend the program for $5.00 to cover costs. The club pays for first-time attendees' breakfast or attendance fee. Casta del Sol Golf Clubhouse, 27601 Casta Del Sol Road, Mission Viejo, (714) 235-1430, http://rushlimbaughcluboc.com/

The Buzz

During the Feb. 2 council meeting, the wheelchair tennis tournament (referred to as ITF – International Tennis Federation) was discussed. The event took place at the city-owned Marguerite Tennis Center in November 2013. In attempting to spin the cost overruns and other problems, City Manager Dennis Wilberg highlighted how city employees “volunteered.” For example, the city’s CFO Cheryl Dyas, who makes more than $200,000 annually, gave participants (players and their followers) rides around town, including trips to the mall. Apparently, Wilberg thinks a $200,000 city chauffeur is a good thing. Since the city’s top employees are on salary and they receive comp time for extra hours, does everyone understand they are not “volunteering”? A news reporter learned from city hall that quite a few city employees got time off from work during the week after the tournament.

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At the Feb. 2 meeting, council members had the opportunity to question Wilberg for running up expenses without their approval. Taxpayers should ask about the city paying approximately $100,000 after the staff said the costs to the city would be zero. Wilberg involved upper management employees in soliciting in-kind donations for a for-profit group and transactions that appear to be gifts of public funds. Instead of holding Wilberg accountable, the council approved (voting 4-1, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht dissenting) Wilberg’s request to host another tournament in 2014. Contrary to the city’s acknowledgment of low attendance, a city employee stated into the public record that 3,500 people attended. With $9,825 in ticket sales and tickets costing a minimum of $8.00 per event or $15 per day, can someone do the math? Also, how many tickets were purchased with taxpayer dollars by the city?

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During the meeting, Councilman Frank Ury reacted to a resident who said during public comments that the city’s function isn’t event planning. Ury responded that 25 percent of the city staff should be involved in events. Does he realize the annual cost would be more than $3.5 million (using 2012 figures) for employees, not counting the expense of the events? Ury bragged that Mission Viejo’s city government offers events every day of the year. He additionally ridiculed his own home town (population 400), where community events center around church and school. Watch Ury on the 30-second video, http://missionviejocommonsense.com/1/post/2014/02/mission-viejo-council-member-frank-ury-staff-should-run-non-essential-events.html

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Post from Larry Gilbert on Sat., Feb. 8: “I just attended the ‘Orange County Free Speech Clinic’ held at C Russell Cook Park in San Juan Capistrano where I interacted with several of the 150 in attendance. The picnic event was organized by the ‘whip-wielding mistress of ceremonies’ Villa Park council member Deborah Pauly. Deb had lined up some great speakers who spent three solid hours informing the attendees on the need to stand our ground when it comes to protecting our freedom and Constitutional rights. One of my photos is of San Juan councilman Dr. Roy L. Burns alongside the editors/producers of the Community Common Sense News (CCS). They are Kim Lefner and Kim Mc Carthy. As we discover every local city has its issues. In San Juan there is a Recall effort to replace Councilman Sam Allevato. A large issue is overbilling on water rates where a court has found the city guilty. A recent issue is the city filing an "ANTI-SLAPP" Motion against CCS editors who recently won a temporary ruling permitting our placing the newspaper on city property. Without going over the entire lineup of speakers, Gina Louden (author, WND and FOX News contributor, and mother of five) was the Keynote speaker wrapping up this powerful event. I did take a photo of Deb with her whip and boots as this event was targeted by people whom she is shaking up with her fervor of speaking out in her effort to motivate those voters sitting on the sidelines.”

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The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold its monthly meeting on Wed., Feb. 12. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.

Guest speaker will be Emad Samir, Egyptologist and Biblical scholar. His topic will be “Making Sense of the Revolutions in Egypt -- the Truth Behind the Headlines.”

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Be sure to like Mission Viejo Common Sense on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/missionviejocommonsense and forward this link to others. MVCS was created in conjunction with the expansion of the Community Common Sense newspaper into Mission Viejo in August 2013.

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