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California Republican Assembly Picks This list covers the races of greatest interest to South OC Voters. To see the full list go to: http://cragop.org/2014-primary-election-endorsements/ As of May 14, 2014 Governor – Tim Donnelly Lt. Governor – Ron Nehring Controller – Ashley Swearengin Secretary of State – Pete Peterson Insurance Commissioner – Ted Gaines State Superintendent of Instruction: Lydia Gutierrez State Board of Equalization – District 4 – Diane Harkey AD-73 Bill Brough AD-74 Matthew Harper SD-36 Pat Bates CD-45 No Endorsement ORANGE COUNTY Supervisor D5 – Robert Ming Assessor: Claude Parrish Auditor/Controller: Eric Woolery Clerk Recorder: Hugh Nguyen District Attorney: Tony Rackauckas Sheriff: Sandra Hutchens Treasurer-Tax Collector: Shari L Freidenrich Board of Education District 2: Tom Pollitt Board of Education District 5: Linda Lindholm Superior Court Judge, Office No. 20: Helen Hayden Superior Court Judge, Office No. 35: Jeff Ferguson
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Question on Grand Jury Panelist According to the May 21 OC Register, Superior Court Executive Officer Alan M. Carlson drew names of 19 panelists and alternates to serve on the OC Grand Jury for the 2014-2015 term. My question relates to the vetting process of these applicants whose responsibilities include being watchdogs. Before becoming a member of the OC Sheriff's Homeland Security Advisory Council, HSAC, I underwent a lengthy FBI background check. In my call to the Grand Jury department this morning, I was told that one of those whose name was drawn to serve as a panelist or alternate was former Mission Viejo mayor Robert D. Breton. There are many city documents and newspaper articles that I retain for future reference. One example relates to then-councilman Breton when he was fundraising for our city library. Quoting from Frank Messina's headline account in the LA Times, he writes: "Several Orange County architectural firms have accused City Councilman Robert D. Breton of asking them to contribute $1,000 to a library campaign fund if they want a chance to bid for the proposed building's design contract." I have also retained a copy of a letter from Irvine architectural firm Lang Lampert sent to Mr. Breton. The second paragraph reads: "Your requirement, however, that we contribute $1,000 to be included in the RFP process is on very shaky ground, morally and legally, and we would not wish to participate under these circumstances. I also feel that this requirement is going to eliminate your most competent design talent." (The Orange County LA Times story and letter from David H. Lang are attached to original post.) So we had "pay to play" in Mission Viejo. That aside, did the Grand Jury vetting committee ever do a thorough background check on Mr. Breton? Were they aware of this publicized activity? Was it discovered and swept under a rug? There are over three million residents in Orange County. I have to believe the Grand Jury could find a qualified replacement from the applicant pool without a tarnished background. The selection of Mr. Breton reminds me of the expression having the fox watching the henhouse. |
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ACT! for America Meets The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will meet on Mon., June 9. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and formally ends by 9:30 p.m. On the program will be the Orange County public premier of the new movie, “The Honor Diaries.” Culture is no excuse for abuse. This is the first film to break the politically correct silence on "honor violence" against women and girls in Islam. The film is directed by Micah Smith, produced by Alex Traiman and written by Paula Kweskin.This powerful new film exposes the paralyzing political correctness that prevents people from identifying, understanding and addressing the abuse of women and children in Muslim-dominated societies. Restrictions on movement, denial of education, forced marriage, discriminatory law and female genital mutilation are systematically imposed on the most helpless members of society. The nine women in the film, who have experienced the hardships and abuses of the honor culture, tell about their personal experiences in an effort to stop the despicable treatment of women and children all over the Islamic world. Spurred by the Arab Spring, women who were once silent are starting to speak out about gender inequality and expose culturally endorsed oppression and abuse. This film provides a platform for leading human rights advocates and is designed to motivate others to speak out. What You Will Learn:
Honor violence is violence against an individual, almost always a woman, who has “dishonored” her family. Victims of honor violence are targeted because their behavior appears to violate cultural or religious norms. The assailant believes that the only way to restore family honor is to harm or kill the victim. Women are abused and murdered for a variety of reasons, including: talking to an unrelated man, refusing an arranged marriage, seeking a divorce, and displeasing or disobeying her husband or father. Victims are shot, stoned, burned, buried alive, strangled, smothered and stabbed in the name of restoring family honor. Women who have been raped are commonly murdered for the “dishonor” it brings to their family. The film is 61 minutes long. After the film, there will be an optional discussion group for about 25 minutes. A $10 donation is appreciated to help cover the film rental and meeting room costs. The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center, Sycamore B Room, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Sign up for ACT! for America chapter announcements at www.act4oc.org |
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Wendy Bucknum Campaign Update 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 With Bucknum’s lobbyist job, it’s got to be annoying when she encounters ethical candidates who won’t sell their votes. While waiting for her own race for a council seat in November, Bucknum is on the front line for two candidates who are widely known as sellouts: Frank Ury for Board of Supervisors and Anna Bryson for State Assembly. If these candidates win in November, Bucknum will remind them – they owe her for pounding all their campaign signs into the ground. For Orange County Board of Supervisors, Frank Ury is the worst possible choice. His voting record on the Mission Viejo city council is so horrendous that a newspaper published an article on his bad votes. It took an entire page: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSZVRcGgbzY/Us8KEmqE68I/AAAAAAAACcM/ixxcqLzhhDg/s1600/Voting+ Record+of+Frank+Ury+web.jpg The worst possible choice in the 73rd Assembly District race is Anna Bryson. Her voting record is as horrendous as Ury’s: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSZVRcGgbzY/Us8KEmqE68I/AAAAAAAACcM/ixxcqLzhhDg/s1600/Voting+ Record+of+Frank+Ury+web.jpg Bryson and Ury are stuffing voters’ mailboxes – great big mailers with great big lies. Bryson claims she reformed the Capo school district. During the time she’s been on the school board, the teachers’ union has completely taken over, thanks to her votes. Ury’s whoppers are so numerous, they would require another full-page newspaper article. Here’s an amusing article that summarizes Ury’s campaign: http://ocpoliticsblog.com/tag/robert-ming/ An obvious trait that Bucknum shares with Ury and Bryson is the need for Other People’s Money. Ury and Bryson’s chances improved dramatically last week when they received special-interest PAC money. Bucknum’s funds are almost exclusively from special-interest donors involved in the housing industry. Bryson, Ury, Bucknum = BUB, all running as good ol’ boys. If Bryson and Ury survive the Primary Election, perhaps the three candidates can run as the Bubba slate |
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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. 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/ A Hidden Vine on the Lake wine tasting on Fri., May 30 (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 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 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 |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Nixon Library events: Mon., May 26, “Meet General Mattis” on Memorial Day. Wreath laying ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and commemoration ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Patriotic concert of Americana favorites by the Placentia Symphonic Band at 3:30 p.m. Free concert on Sun., June 1, Azusa Pacific University Brass Chamber Ensemble. 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/ Tea Party Sentinels of Laguna Woods Village will meet on Mon., May 26, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Lawrence Hebron, whose new book is “AR2, Handbook for the Second American Revolution.” For visitors to this gated community, a pass is not needed at this entrance, Gate 16, Clubhouse Seven, 24111 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods. http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/184075322/ 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 Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Board of Directors on Wed., June 4, 7:00 p.m.; Engineering Committee on Fri., June 13, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee will meet on Fri., June 20, 7:30 a.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com 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. Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., June 10, 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 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/ SOC912 (date and program to be announced) holds monthly meetings at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/181681522/ 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. |
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The Buzz The Mission Viejo council majority of Ury, Reardon, Kelley and Leckness erred in 2012 by needlessly adding 12,000 homes to the high-risk fire-hazard zone. Their buffoonery put all those homeowners at risk for higher insurance rates, loss of insurance coverage and lower property values. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht cast the sole vote against any rezoning. The rezoning did nothing to protect residents from the obvious fire risk to Mission Viejo homes: unmanaged brush on county and city property. Two weeks ago, residents in the fire zone began receiving letters from the Orange County Fire Authority. Most recipients were likely puzzled about how it happened, as they received no notice from the city on what the council majority did to them. The grand total is now 15,000 homes in the fire zone – the original 3,000 homes plus 12,000 added by the council majority members. *** During the May 19 city council meeting, majority members Ury, Reardon, Kelley and Leckness had an opportunity to apologize to residents for the mistake of adding 12,000 homes to the fire zone. With increasing awareness among residents of the negative impacts of being rezoned, how did the council majority handle it? They denied homeowners are impacted at all! The Mission Viejo fire map fiasco was aired on a county blog last week, http://ocpoliticsblog.com/2014/05/21/why-did-frank-ury-stick-it-to-m-v-home-owners-by-putting-them-in-fire-hazard-zones/ *** Does anyone remember various housing developers’ claims that affordable housing is needed for firemen, policemen and teachers? Mission Viejo watchdogs have repeatedly demonstrated that those professionals make too much money to qualify for affordable housing in Orange County. Last week, a blog article revealed the astounding compensation figures for firefighters: http://ocpoliticsblog.com/2014/05/21/omg-ocfa-wtf/ *** Will Councilman Frank Ury change jobs again? He’s supposed to submit paperwork, Form 700, to keep the public informed about his employment, but has anyone ever seen his disclosures? It becomes difficult to assess his conflicts of interest when no one can keep up with all his job changes. From Stephen Frank’s May 22 article on California Political News and Views, “What Recovery? Hewlett-Packard to Fire 11-16,000 workers.” http://www.capoliticalreview.com/capoliticalnewsandviews/what-recovery-hewlett-packard-to-fire-11-16000-more/ Councilman Ury (now a candidate for the Or. Co. Board of Supervisors) said during a candidate forum that his current employer is Hewlett-Packard, where he “builds computers.” Does he mean he assembles them? On his ballot statement, Ury says he’s an engineer, but how long has it been since he had an engineering job? Ten years? Fifteen years? *** Everyone should be aware that candidates pay to have their names listed on slate mailers. It’s paid advertising – first come, first served – that has nothing to do with qualifications or merit. One candidate in the 73rd Assembly District race, Paul Glaab, bought space on most of the slate mailers for the June 3 Primary. Since he has no grassroots support or other method of promoting himself in this election, his victory or defeat will be a testimony to the value of slate mailers. *** Community Common Sense Newspaper www.CCSense.com has published its recommendations for the June 3, 2014, Primary Election. Constitutional Voter Guide – California Primary Election, June 3, 2014 Listed below are Community Common Sense’s recommendations for local (Orange County) races and/or candidates, based on the candidates’ support for fiscal reform/responsibility and adherence to constitutional principles such as protection of personal freedoms and respect for property rights: U.S. Representative, 45th Congressional District California State Senate, 36th District: California Assembly, 73rd District: Board of Equalization, 4th District Diane Harkey - NO; accepted union money; endorses candidates who do not support the values she claims to support. Superior Court Judges: Office No. 14: Kevin Haskins - YES Office No. 20: Helen Hayden - YES Office No. 27: No recommendation; candidates are: Office No. 35: Jeff Ferguson - YES Orange County Board of Supervisors, 5th District Orange County Superintendent of Schools: Orange County Board of Education, Area 5: Orange County Assessor: Orange County Auditor-Controller: Orange County Clerk Recorder: Orange County District Attorney: Orange County Sheriff-Coroner: Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector: Steve Magdziak, Mission Viejo editor for CCS, is adding his personal recommendations: No on Prop 41 Yes on Measure A |
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