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Primary Election Update The OC Registrar of Voters expects to begin mailing absentee ballots on May 7. In past elections, ballots arrived in mailboxes over a period of several days. It’s not unusual for two people at the same address to receive their mail-in ballot on different days. Voters wanting to verify that they are registered can call (714) 567-7600 or check the website, https://www.ocvote.com/registration/verify-your-voter-registration/ Mission Viejo precinct captains noticed a change in voter lists while reviewing precinct walk sheets. In past years, a voter who selected “Decline To State” instead of choosing a party was listed as DTS. This year, the category has been changed to NPP, No Party Preference. Voters who declined to state their party when they registered in prior years might take issue with being categorized as having no party preference. In this year’s June 5 Primary, NPP voters will have only two presidential candidates to choose from – Democrat and American Independent. Each political party chooses whether or not it will allow NPP voters to receive its party’s presidential ballot, and only two parties said yes. Political pundits expect a low turnout in the California Primary. The Republicans and Democrats already have their presidential nominees. Except for a few contests, there’s little excitement about the June 5 election. One of the more interesting races in Orange County is between Todd Spitzer and Deb Pauley for Third District OC Supervisor. With only two candidates in that race, if either of them gets 50 percent plus one vote on June 5, no runoff in November will be needed. While money isn’t everything, Spitzer had more than $1 million on hand at the end of the most recent reporting period and Pauley had approximately $2,500. A statement in last week’s issue of this blog warrants correction. The number of Republican Central Committee candidates running for six seats in the 73rd Assembly District (which includes Mission Viejo) is 22. The situation of eight incumbents running for six seats in the 73rd resulted from redrawing Assembly District lines last year. Likely winners include some of the incumbents, along with a former Central Committee member with name recognition:
Six challengers are unknown or relatively unknown. Of the remaining 22 candidates, 10 of them (three incumbents and seven challengers) allegedly have ties to SOC912, the professional noisemakers funded by the Iranian woman from Irvine (linked here) . If all the bizarre stories about them are true, then the most interesting political group in Orange County is the SOC912 circus. A dustup on May 6 occurred when a SOC912 member (one of the candidates for Central Committee) organized a “Republican candidate forum” in Casta del Sol but invited only six of 22 candidates for the OC GOP Central Committee. To have only six candidates accept an invitation would be one thing, but hand-selecting six is not a Republican candidate forum. Generally, it is up to members to draw a line on what goes on in their club. However, three years ago, the leader of the same Casta group introduced guest speaker Sir Eldon Griffiths as Elton John. No one seemed to notice. |
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Case Study of Smart Meters Attached find the report from the Division of Ratepayer Advocates in the California Public Utility Commission. (link here) It reviews Southern California Edison's deployment of the smart meters. SURPRISE, SURPRISE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON has again mismanaged a program-- and it appears to me, has mislead all involved! So while Smart meters are a potential health risk, they have also become a program that over ran cost estimates for installation, and now have reduced benefits for the rate payers. Just reading the Executive Summary --- SCE overestimated the cost benefits of smartmeters to its ratepayers. So what else is new? More deception from Edison see page 8 for details This is an official report from an arm of the CPUC, the DRA: Division of Ratepayer Advocates. Joe Holtzman |
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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. Mariachis at the Mission, Sat., May 12, and Sat., May 26, 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., second and fourth Saturdays each month, free with paid admission to the Mission, Central Courtyard, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-1300, http://www.missionsjc.com/ May Fairy Garden classes at Cottage Home and Garden: Sat., May 12, 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., and Sun., May 27, 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., 31720 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, (949) 493-3920, http://cottage-home-and-garden.com Mount of Olives Church, Free Electronic Recycling, Sat., May 19, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at The Rock, Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.com . For anyone needing help with oversize items, call Jeff at Living Green Recycling, 866-674-3177, ext. 100. Doheny Blues Festival, Sat., May 19, and Sun., May 20, including Gregg Allman, Steve Miller Band, Buddy Guy, Doheny State Beach, buy tickets at http://www.omegaevents.com or (949) 360-7800. Israel Expo, Sun., May 20, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Samueli Jewish Campus, 1 Federation Way, Irvine, free admission, (949) 435-3484, http://www.jewishorangecounty.com Soka University Concert, Jazz Monsters featuring Dmitry Baevsky and David Hazeltine on Wed., May 23, 7:00 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu/news_events/events/default.aspx Michaels, ongoing and new classes throughout March: sewing, Wilton Decorating, painting and crafts, 25310 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 770-5001 Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, ongoing and new classes this week: how to sew, decorate cakes, quilt, knit, crochet and more, 26672 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch, (949) 588-7420, http://Joann.com Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at Big Bucks Bingo, Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. early bird and 6:45 p.m. regular games, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge, Marguerite and La Paz, Mission Viejo, 949-830-3557. |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Breakfast with former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, Mon., May 7, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., office of Inland Group, Inc., 3501 Jamboree Rd., Newport Beach, must RSVP to attend, (714) 453-0900 or Dave@GOP.org Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., May 8, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors/Meeting%20Schedule Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Tues., May 8, 6:30 p.m., at the district office, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234. http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Personnel and Salary on Wed., May 9, Engineering and Operations on Mon., May 14, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., May 16, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., May 17, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., May 11, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee Meeting on Fri., May 18, 7:30 p.m.; Board of Directors will meet on Wed., May 23, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html Celebration of Justice, Sat., May 12, V.I.P. reception 5:00 p.m., main event 6:00 p.m., Pacific Justice Institute fundraiser, keynote speaker Scott Rasmussen and honored guest Ben Davies, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim, information and reservations (714) 796-7151, http://www.PJI.org Concert at the Nixon Library: Sun., May 13, Mother’s Day concert by the New Orange County Children’s Choir. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Concerts are free and open to the public. Schedule is subject to change. Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts/ Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting on Wed., May 14, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, Public Hearing on Kindergarten through Grade 3 Class Size Penalty Waiver Request for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/ Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., May 16, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., program to be announced, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano, RSVP to Sue Schultz, (949) 240-6799, esue39@cox.net Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., May 17, 7:00 p.m., election of board members. SRA meets on third Thursdays at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 360-1717. South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., May 21. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5 p.m., followed by adjournment to closed session, open session reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., adjournment by 9:00 p.m. Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room, Room 145, Health Sciences/District Offices Building, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4999, https://www.socccd.edu El Toro Water District meetings: Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., May 22, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., May 24, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com/ Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated, Thurs., May 24, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., program to be announced, Aliso Viejo Conference Center, 31 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo, RSVP to (949) 859-2818. Spring Fashion Show, Laguna Niguel Republican Women Federated, Fri., May 25, champagne reception starts at 10:30 a.m., program begins at 11:00 a.m., El Niguel Country Club, 23700 Clubhouse Dr., Laguna Niguel, (949) 496-0884. Republican Party of Orange County 13th Annual Flag Day Celebration, Mon., June 11, VIP Reception 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., keynote speaker Gov. Jan Brewer, Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine, for tickets or information call (714) 453-0900 or visit http://www.ocgop.org/flag-day |
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The Buzz The end of redevelopment is changing City Hall’s game plan in a big way. City Manager Dennis Wilberg and the council majority members will no longer have redevelopment funds to influence developers and property owners to build high-density housing projects. Locations of potential housing projects have included the shopping centers at La Paz and Marguerite, the former Unisys property at Jeronimo and Los Alisos, the Casta Del Sol Golf Course and closed schools. However, given the council majority of Ury, Kelley and Leckness, residents should remain vigilant. *** Is there a reason City Hall plants, replants the overplants the same locations near the Community Center while neglecting other parts of town? Except for property maintained by homeowner associations, many slopes and roadsides have barren dirt and weeds. Areas of obvious neglect include segments along Los Alisos, Trabuco, the northern portion of Jeronimo, the area surrounding Trabuco High School and large sections of south Mission Viejo. If the occupants of City Hall ever ventured beyond their offices and the Community Center, perhaps they’d notice. *** Mission Viejo residents should tune in to the council meeting on May 7. Those who think they voted to put fiscal conservatives on the council should expect to see some defining moments. Following are agenda items residents should watch:
*** Thanks to blog reader K.C. for forwarding the quote of the day: "Apparently, I'm supposed to be angrier about what Mitt Romney does with his own money than what Barack Obama does with my money." *** The OC Register has at least one writer who seems obsessed with so-called declining unemployment figures. Since she has a job, how about getting a second opinion about the rosy job market from those who are out of work? Kevin Jackson reports 54.3 percent of young adults age 18 to 24 can’t find a job. http://theblacksphere.net *** Obama’s three-and-a-half-year losing streak has gone from Hope and Change to hype and blame. Here’s a sampling of Obama’s record of moving the country backward. Obamacare |
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