This Week – SRA and SOC912

Saddleback Republican Assembly will meet on Thurs., March 20, 7:00 p.m. The featured guest will be Robert Ming, who is a candidate for the Orange County Board of Supervisors. SRA meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

Robert Ming, a Laguna Niguel City Councilman, is running for the BOS 5th District seat. Cities in the district are Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as Newport Coast, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores and Wagon Wheel.

Robert and his wife Susie were both born and raised in Orange County. They have been married for 21 years and have four children. Robert earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Azusa Pacific University and his juris doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law. He is currently a senior vice president and associate general counsel at Jefferies LLC, a global investment banking and brokerage firm.

SOC912 will meet on Fri., Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker Kelly Hubbard’s topic will be the June Primary Election. SOC912 meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/168775422/

Kelly Hubbard does extensive investigative research on candidates and Tea Party issues.  He has been a longtime conservative and Tea Party activist in Orange County. His e-mail newsletter goes out almost daily to conservative activists. Read his informative and thought-provoking pieces on www.octeapartyblog.com. Kelly will be covering local, state, Congressional and senate elections and where each candidate stands on conservative issues. He has a PowerPoint presentation and will go over many elements of the election, including candidates and district maps.

The event includes a raffle and refreshments. There is no charge to attend SOC912 meetings, but donations are requested to help pay for the room.

Wendy Bucknum Campaign
Part 7, Lobbyist in Volunteer’s Clothing

Wendy Bucknum is a professional housing lobbyist running for the Mission Viejo City Council. Articles in this series have identified Bucknum’s lobbyist job, her stream of campaign dollars from special interest and the list of elected officials endorsing a lobbyist.

Bucknum as a council candidate in 2012 ran on special interest money while promoting jumbotron-style billboards along Crown Valley Parkway. Informed voters realized a lobbyist wouldn’t represent them on the council, and they weren’t fooled by politicians endorsing a lobbyist

Last week’s Part 6 included a letter from two frustrated homeowners over Bucknum’s lobbying for her employer, Professional Community Management, and against the homeowners PCM is supposed to serve http://cotobuzz.blogspot.com/2012/02/disgraceful-golden-rain-foundation.html

Bucknum postures as a volunteer -- attending community events while being paid by her employer and simultaneously campaigning for a council seat. Naïve members of groups mistakenly believe Bucknum is one of them. She makes announcements at nearly every council meeting as the “promoter” for such groups. She has also gotten herself appointed to boards that are useful to her lobbying job as well as her council campaign.

A defining example of Bucknum’s deceit is her role in a South County political group, a Republican Women Federated unit. The group has general meetings and board meetings mid-morning on weekdays, when Bucknum isn’t in her office but she’s “on the job” as a lobbyist. After getting on RWF’s board, she trampled another volunteer to visit Sacramento as the group’s youth advocacy volunteer. What could be better than a housing lobbyist visiting legislative offices in Sacramento as a “volunteer”?

During the Mar. 3 council meeting, Bucknum made public comments about some of her many areas of intense interest – because she “really, really likes her community.” She promoted the character committee in schools, the Elks, South County Chamber, the city’s Chili Cook-off and South County’s Got Talent. Immediately after a resident called out a council member for conflict of interest, Bucknum didn’t appear to comprehend the previous message, http://missionviejo.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=14&clip_id=1304
starting at 1:56.

Mission Viejo resident Stephen Wontrobski (starting at 1:56) spoke about the Orange County Fire Authority. He indicated Trish Kelley’s son mysteriously jumped to the front of the line (ahead of 3,000 applicants) to get into the OCFA program with his mom on the OCFA board. Wontrobski pointed to Kelley’s numerous other conflicts of interest as an OCFA board member, including her approvals of OCFA employees’ (her son’s) pay raises and benefits. 

Voters should not miss Bucknum’s announcements immediately following Wontrobski’s revelations about self-dealing disguised as public service.

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.

St. Joseph’s Day, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Wed., Mar. 19, celebrate the Return of the Swallows with activities, entertainment and food, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-1300, http://www.missionsjc.com/activities/signature_StJosephsDay.php

Concordia University Concert, Sat., Mar. 22, 10:00 a.m., Lutheran Schools Handbell Festival. More than 150 ringers from Lutheran schools will perform; free admission, 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/238/Default.aspx

56th Annual Swallows Day Parade, Sat., Mar. 22, starting at 11:00 a.m., presented by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, downtown San Juan Capistrano; Mercado runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., (949) 493-1976, http://www.swallowsparade.com/

Soka University concerts: pianist Vadym Kholodenko, Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist, on Sun., Mar. 23, 3:00 p.m.; Los Angeles Jazz Quartet on Fri., Mar, 28, 8:00 p.m., Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

“An Enchanted Evening,” outstanding student opera performances at Casa Romantica, Tues., Mar. 25, 7:00 p.m., 414 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, (949) 498-2139, http://casaromantica.org/cr/

“All the Great Books,” Laguna Playhouse comedy presented by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, through Mar. 30; “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” with Leslie Caron and David Engel, from Apr. 26-June 8, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

First Thursday Art Walk, Laguna Beach, Thurs., Apr. 3, 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/

Mount of Olives Church SHARE Food Drive on Sun., April 6, (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/

Mariachis at the Mission, Sat., Apr. 12, 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

La Vida Drum Circle, Tues., Apr. 15, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (May 14, June 13, July 12 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., Apr. 19, 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

Cabrillo Playhouse, Sun., Apr. 20, 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

Political and Government Events Calendar

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Mon., Mar. 17, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., Mar. 19, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Mar. 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., Mar. 19, 9:00 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays of most months. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 240-6799 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Mar. 20, 7:00 p.m. Featured speaker will be Robert Ming, a candidate for the OC Board of Supervisors Fifth District seat. 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.

Santa Margarita Water District Finance Committee will meet on Fri., Mar. 21, 7:30 a.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

SOC912 will meet on Fri., Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker Kelly Hubbard’s topic will be the June Primary Election. The group meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/168775422/

Nixon Library concert on Sun., Mar. 23, pianist David Rubinstein. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and music begins at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org/

Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Mar. 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

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Tues., Mar. 25, 6:30 p.m., “if necessary.” The next Regular Meeting will be on Tues., Apr. 8, starting with a Board Policy Workshop at 4:30 p.m., which is open to the public. The board meets in the district building, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on Wed., Mar. 26, 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/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1232963504734

OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., Apr. 9, 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

Rush Limbaugh Club of Orange County will meet on Sat., April 12. 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. Cost is $15 for breakfast or attend the program only for $5.00. 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 Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Apr. 14. 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.

The Buzz

Leaking water pipes have reached epidemic levels in Mission Viejo and other South County cities. Pinhole leaks are occurring in relatively new as well as older homes, with independent studies pointing to corrosive properties of the water. On Mar. 3, a Ladera Ranch resident spoke about the problem during the public comments segment of the Mission Viejo City Council meeting. He recommends participating in his survey, and he has formed S.T.O.P.P. the Leaks, http://stopptheleaks.org/ . Other homeowners, builders and condo associations have moved beyond the survey stage, and they’re suing water districts.

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Is the Mission Viejo council majority through discussing the wheelchair tennis tournament fiasco? After the event bombed in November 2013, the council majority of Frank Ury, Trish Kelley, Rhonda Reardon and Dave Leckness approved the city hosting another one in November 2014. The real story involves gullible and incompetent city administrators giving taxpayer funds and staff services to an international for-profit organization. City announcements stated that Mission Viejo “won” the bid to host the 2013 event. There were no other offers. Apparently, no other city on the planet has an administration with such easy access to taxpayer funds and no accountability. Mission Viejo taxpayers were fleeced, and the council majority is still talking about the “tremendous community support” with empty grandstands. For several months, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht has asked questions and attempted to get her council peers to approve an audit or investigation.

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Mission Viejo residents who have reviewed the tournament documents indicate the city staff mismanaged the event and misrepresented results to the public. The total cost reached approximately a quarter-million dollars, which doesn’t include staff time. In 2013 during the July 1 and July 22 council meetings, City Manager Dennis Wilberg stated the tournament wouldn’t cost taxpayers anything. City hall proved beyond all doubt that it should not be in the business of creating, managing or hosting events.

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Post from Tea Party Patriot Kelly Hubbard: “How low can he go? Obama drops to 38 percent approval rating. Typically, a president's numbers roughly correspond to the generic congressional ballot numbers of that president's party. In other words, if Obama's numbers are suffering, we can expect the numbers of the average Democrat candidate to suffer. His low approval ratings will likely negatively affect the Democrats’ chances in all races this year: for Senate, House, Governor, etc. A president's low job-approval numbers cast a negative shadow on the entire ballot in an election year. If you remember, Nancy Pelosi's House takeover in 2006 was almost directly related to Bush's poor approval numbers, which were hovering in the low 30s at the time. Obama is currently slightly above Bush's same numbers in 2006. You may recall, 2006 was a wipeout election for Republicans. It's entirely possible, if not probable, that Harry Reid will lose control of the Senate and the GOP will increase its majority status in the House this November. It may also have a lasting effect on 2016 as well. I think we can use some good news for a change and this certainly is good news. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/05/fox-news-poll-obama-approval-hits-new-low-falls-in-key-areas/

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Post from Mission Viejo watchdog Larry Gilbert: 

“Pat Bates, our present County Board of Supervisors representative, is termed out of that office. I am actively supporting Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming, a solid fiscal and social conservative, to replace her in that position. Robert received his B.A. in political science at Azusa Pacific and graduated as valedictorian from Pepperdine Law School. In addition to meeting his wife and children, I have also met his parents. Robert is a solid man of faith who is active in Coast Hills Community Church. Thanks for your consideration of Robert Ming for BOS.

“Note: if you have recently moved, you must register to vote by May 19 to participate in the June 3 Primary Election. This election is closer than we might think. Absentee ballots will be sent out in May. For additional voter information or to determine your voting status, call (714) 567-7594.”

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