Tea Party Voter Guide

The Orange County Tea Party’s endorsements have been updated to include Prop 41 and Prop 42, plus an added reference to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association’s recommendations on the statewide propositions http://octeapartyblog.com/the-oc-tea-party-blog/

There are some great candidates running for office.  The Orange County Tea Party Blog recommends you vote for the listed candidates below.  This list will be updated periodically. We hope you will be encouraged.

Governor of CA:
Tim Donnelly – is currently a State Assemblyman. He is a true proven conservative who has a “never give up spirit” with lots of positive energy. He has strong family values and a hard work ethic. He holds steadfast to the principles of free enterprise, defending liberty, restricting government regulation, and upholding the constitution.

California Insurance Commissioner:
Ted Gaines – currently in the State Senate and has been a solid conservative voice.  He is a 5th generation Californian and has been a direct insurance broker for the past 30 years.  He has great family values and has filed a lawsuit against Covered California to stop the cancellations of policies and to demand more accountability. He has a high 95.6 Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association rating.

Orange County Board of Supervisors:
For the 5th District
Robert Ming – currently Councilman of the City of Laguna Niguel, former Mayor. He is a proven conservative, has strong family values and a hard work ethic as well as a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association endorses him. He led the charge in his City to save all the money needed before remodeling its City Hall. They had no need to borrow money, nor did they go over budget. He cites integrity, fiscal responsibility and leadership as the missing elements for solutions in Orange County.

For the 2nd District
Michelle Steel – currently a member of the State Board of Equalization. In this position she has actually returned money to taxpayers and has fought against new and raising taxes.  She states her goals as supervisor would be to root out waste, fraud and abuse from the county budget; reform public employee pensions to protect taxpayers; protect our coastline and beaches; support local law enforcement; and reduce regulations and red tape on small business.
 CA State Assembly:

73rd District
Jesse Petrilla – is currently a City Councilman for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. He is an officer in the CA Army National Guard and has a history of grassroots leadership and advocacy, and as a result has raised more than $100,000 with over 200 donors.  He has strong family values and a hard work ethic. He has a proven record as a fiscal conservative and has pledged not to raise any taxes.  (Jesse has been a target of a dirty smear campaign of half-truths by one of his opponents.)

65th District
Young Kim – former Congressman Ed Royce staffer.  She lists improving the economy, improving education opportunities, fixing the state budget, and making public safety a priority as her commitments.  See Orange County Tea Party Blog Kelly Hubbard’s article on her.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Lydia Gutierrez – serves as an elected Board member on the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and is on the Education and Public Safety Committees. She has a tremendous history of serving, has been dedicated to education and has a great love for teaching children. She has strong family values and a strong work ethic.  She stands against Common Core. Lydia founded the National Organization of Parents and Teachers For A Quality Public Education.  See Orange County Tea Party Blog Kelly Hubbard’s article on Lydia

Orange County Superior Court Judge, Office 35:
Jeff Ferguson – currently deputy district attorney. He has been a friend to the tea party and has worked hard to seek justice and protect neighborhoods from narcotics traffickers, street gangsters and other thugs.  His tenants are responsibility, accountability and fairness.  He has been awarded Prosecutor of the Year four times by the OC Narcotics Officers Association, among many awards and recognitions.  He has strong family values and a hard work ethic. He has been endorsed by former San Clemente Sheriff Bill Hunt: “He is dedicated to our U.S. Constitution, especially our Second Amendment right . . .”  See OC Tea Party Blog Kelly Hubbard article re Jeff.

Orange County Superior Court Judge, Office 35:
Helen Hayden

Orange County Treasurer:
Shari Freidenrich – We endorsed her in 2010.  A dedicated and ethical treasurer. In her first term, she worked hard to save taxpayer money wherever she could. She  believes the money rightfully belongs to them.  She is also endorsed by Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

U.S. Congress:
Dana Rohrabacher – incumbent Congressman for the 48th District. He is on the House Committee of Foreign Affairs and is a strong advocate for national security and has been a leader in the fight against amnesty. He was the only OC Congressman who voted against the latest raise in the debt ceiling. Endorsed by Freedom Works.

Tom McClintock – incumbent Congressman, 4th District. We mention Tom McClintock because he is being ambushed by his own party who are seemingly collaborating with Democrats to defeat him.  Apparently, he is too conservative for the GOP.  Congressman McClintock has been a stalwart conservative, many times being the lone CA Congressman voting to protect the Constitution. Endorsed by Freedom Works.

Igor Birman – He is a candidate for Congress, CA 7th District. He has been Congressman McClintock’s Chief of Staff since 2009, as senior policy and strategy advisor. He has a unique love for America and its freedom and liberty having come from the Soviet Union with his family as a refugee.  He has strong family values and hard work ethic. He graduated from UC Davis and is a licensed attorney. Endorsed by Freedom Works; appeared several times on the Glenn Beck Program. He was also a speaker at the recent Freedom Works Kentucky FreePAC event.

45th Congressional District – TBD

U.S. Senate:
It is imperative constitutional patriots win races in the Senate.  This is probably the single most important thing we can do to thwart and reverse the onslaught of national socialism.  We highly recommend the Senate endorsements of Freedom Works and Senate Conservatives Fund.  Please read up on these endorsements and donate to them

Secretary of State:
Pete Peterson – He understands the voter fraud issues and the regulating barriers for businesses in CA. He is Executive Director of Public Policy with the Davenport Institute and he is a speaker and trainer for increasing civic participation in government. He is also teaching a class at Pepperdine University titled Leadership through Public Engagement.

Orange County Board of Education:
For Area 5
Linda Lindholm – currently she is the Mayor of the City of Laguna Niguel. She is determined to ensure that education taxpayer dollars are spent directly in the classroom and not on administrative bureaucracy.  Current Trustee Robert Hammond, a proven conservative advocate of education, has endorsed her.

For Area 2
Tom Pollitt – founder of the Newport-Mesa Tea Party and on Costa Mesa’s Charter Committee.  He desires to promote parental rights and choices, improve the County’s charter school system, and make sure taxpayer funds go to the classrooms and not the administration. He questions the financial viability of Common Core and it’s standards. Current Trustee Robert Hammond, a proven conservative advocate of education, has endorsed him.

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association’s recommendation:
Prop 41 – No
Prop 42 – Yes

California Tea Party Group’s recommendations:
Prop 41 – No
Prop 42 – No

Wendy Bucknum Campaign Update
Part 16, GOP rejected RINO on May 5

Wendy Bucknum, a professional lobbyist in the housing industry, is running for a Mission Viejo council seat in November. Previous articles in this series document Bucknum’s lobbying activities, her special-interest financiers, how she gets endorsements from elected officials and the payoffs elected officials expect in return for supporting a lobbyist.

During her campaign for a council seat in November 2012, Bucknum aggressively pursued – and didn’t get – an endorsement from the Orange County Republican Party.

In the 2012 showdown at the OC GOP’s endorsing meeting, both Frank Ury and Wendy Bucknum failed to get endorsements. They simply didn’t have the majority of votes needed to pull it off. It was primarily the Tea Party members on the Central Committee who stopped RINO candidates like Ury and Bucknum. Several unprincipled Central Committee members who were supporting Ury and Bucknum saw rejection was coming, and they didn’t press for a vote.

During the 2012 OC GOP meeting, MV city watchdog Larry Gilbert exposed Ury and Bucknum for campaigning for Democrats. Bucknum also had supported a labor union by placing a union sign in her yard. Photographs abounded, including the sign in Bucknum’s yard and Bucknum and Ury on street corners holding a Democrat’s campaign signs.

In 2012, despite all the evidence presented against Ury and Bucknum, several Republican Central Committee members made fools of themselves trying to cover for such obvious anti-Republican behavior.

Frank Ury is pursuing the OC GOP endorsement in his current campaign for a seat on the OC Board of Supervisors. Two weeks ago, he ditched a Mission Viejo council meeting to attend the OC GOP’s endorsing meeting on the same night. He presented his case to the endorsing committee members, and opponents gave evidence he had campaigned for Democrats. Instead of brushing aside Ury’s record or making excuses for him, the committee voted for his opponent, Robert Ming. They are recommending Ming for the full OC GOP Central Committee’s official endorsement. The meeting will be held on May 19.

The May 5 GOP endorsing committee’s reaction to Ury does not bode well for Bucknum, who is currently lobbying GOP Central Committee members for an endorsement for her 2014 council campaign.

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.

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

A Hidden Vine on the Lake wine tasting on Fri., May 23 (every Friday evening), 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 27772 Vista del Lago, Suite B-15, Mission Viejo, (949) 916-4810, http://www.ahiddenvine.com/wine_tasting.html

Dana Point Art Walk, Thurs., May 29, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Dana Point Art District, 24471 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, (949) 429-5591, http://www.coastalarcadian.com/

Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Sat., May 31, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sun., June 1, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, (801) 544-9125, https://www.crossroadsgunshows.com/purchase/event.php?eid=100063

Mount of Olives Church SHARE Food Drive on Sun., June 1, (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., June 5, 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/

Laguna Playhouse presents “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” with Leslie Caron and David Engel, through June 8, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

La Vida Drum Circle, Thurs., June 13, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (July 12, Aug. 10, Sept. 9, 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/

Cabrillo Playhouse, Sun., June 15, 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

St. Kilian’s Recycling Drive, Sat., June 21, 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 concert: South Coast Singers present “In the Spotlight” on Sat., June 21, 7:00 p.m., Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Political and Government Events Calendar

Nixon Library events: Mon., May 19, 7:00 p.m., Lynne Cheney and VP Dick Cheney will be at the library for the West Coast launch of Mrs. Cheney’s book, James Madison: A Life Reconsidered. Concert on Sun., May 25, Azusa Pacific University Brass Chamber Ensemble. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and music begins at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. ixon 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., May 20, 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

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., May 21, 9:00 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 240-6799 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Santa Margarita Water District Finance Committee will meet on Fri., May 23, 7:30 a.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

SOC912 will meet on Fri., May 23, 7:00 p.m. The program will be a screening of the documentary “Blue.” No charge to attend; donations are requested to help pay for costs. Light refreshments. The group meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/181681522/

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a board meeting “if necessary” on Tues., May 27, 6:30 p.m. 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 board meeting on Wed., May 28, 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

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

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Community Relations on Wed., June 11, 9:00 a.m.; Engineering and Operations on Mon., June 16, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., June 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., June 19, 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/

OC Veterans Advisory Council will meet on Wed., June 11, 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., June 14. Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Cost is $15 for breakfast or 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/

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., June 19, 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.

The Buzz

SOC912 will meet on Fri., May 23, 7:00 p.m. On the program will be a screening of the documentary “Blue.” The film exposes the Green Movement, which says the Earth is threatened by the activity, even the existence, of mankind, and that the noble response is to restrict freedoms in order to save the planet. “Blue” is an independently funded documentary challenging that idea. Its director, J.D. King, explores the reality beneath the rhetoric and shows the movement is no longer about humans' proper conservancy of nature but about seizing the new “green” – of money, power and dictatorial control. No charge to attend the meeting; donations are requested to help pay for costs. Light refreshments. The group meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/181681522/

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Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated will meet on Wed., May 21, 9:00 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. The featured speaker will be Robert M. Hammond, a member of the Orange County Board of Education. His topic will be “What Is Common Core?” CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 240-6799 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

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Approximately half of Mission Viejo’s homeowners will receive a letter from the Orange County Fire Authority. It is the first direct notice to MV homeowners of an unpopular city council majority decision in 2012, placing half the city in a “Special” fire protection area. Without a compelling reason to do it, council majority members Frank Ury, Dave Leckness, Rhonda Reardon and Trish Kelley put homeowners at risk to increased insurance premiums and lower property values. The obvious fire hazard – overgrown brush on county- and city-owned property – is not affected. While homeowners will now be subject to inspections and told to cut down such trees as pine and eucalyptus, the county and city are not required to do anything. Numerous articles have been published on this blog, and Joe Holtzman’s article in the May issue of Community Common Sense tells the impact of the council majority’s big mistake, http://www.ccsense.com/2014/05/mission-viejo_115.html#more

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The council majority’s decision to add 12,000 Mission Viejo homes to the fire zones (4-1 vote, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht dissenting) took place on July 1, 2012. During the meeting, Councilwoman Rhonda Reardon emphatically claimed it would have no negative impact on Mission Viejo residents. Her statement defied logic, and residents have since learned from insurance companies that she was wrong. Council members up for reelection this year include Reardon and Leckness, who have indicated they are running in November 2014. Ury’s council term doesn’t end until 2016, but he is currently running for a seat on the OC Board of Supervisors. Voters residing in the fire zones have new reasons to vote out incompetent elected officials.

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What kind of spin will council majority members attempt during the May 19 meeting? Will they lie again or try to distract everyone by citing the recent wildfires as an excuse for their irresponsible act in 2012? Fire hazards on an individual’s property can be addressed without putting entire neighborhoods in a fire zone. If Council Members Ury, Leckness, Reardon and Kelley apologize for their bad decision in 2012, it will be an interesting turn of events. All residents should be carefully watching the performance of those running for office – Ury, Reardon and Leckness. Trish Kelley terms out of office in November, and Cathy Schlicht – the only council member who consistently does her homework and represents residents – is not up for reelection this year. Also demonstrating buffoonery throughout the fire zone discussions was City Attorney Bill Curley. As another matter, the way lines were drawn by other officials indicates incompetence if not outright deceit. Wait until residents learn about how it was done.

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The risk of many Mission Viejo homes to fire has always been the unmaintained tinderbox vegetation on public property. Pine and eucalyptus trees are abundant on city property, and the city has persisted in planting more and more trees instead of maintaining existing trees or removing inappropriate ones. Overgrown pine and eucalyptus are often ignored until they fall down. When the community was built, the developer planted cheap and fast-growing trees, which should have been replaced by now. Such city administrators as Keith Rattay have been on a tree-planting rampage, boasting that the city literally has a million trees. With a severe water shortage, drought, increase in the cost of water and heightened concern about fire, why has City Manager Dennis Wilberg not reined in the No. 1 contributor to the problem? Rattay should have been redirected to address the city’s neglected open space, fire hazards of overgrown brush and replacing inappropriate trees.

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