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	City Circus Update A blog reader emailed on July 27: “Mission Viejo now has six potential council candidates. Richard Sandzimier just pulled nomination papers.” Two council seats are up in the November election, and incumbent Council Members Frank Ury and Cathy Schlicht indicate they are running. The incumbents represent opposing ideologies, with Ury as a big-spending representative of special interest and Schlicht as a grassroots-supported advocate of small government. Three candidates feeding at the same trough are running for two seats – Ury and challengers Wendy Bucknum and Sandzimier. It is interesting to see three candidates split the vote when they generally agree on everything. Since Ury and Bucknum say they are running together, where will Sandzimier get support? Council Members Trish Kelley and Dave Leckness, who are not up for reelection this year, appear not to be thrilled about serving on the council with Frank Ury. During council meetings, Ury at will makes Kelley look foolish. He openly tried to knock her out of office in 2006, and he has humiliated her so many times on the dais, she often sits silently while others discuss city business. Leckness, who comes to council meetings completely unprepared, is easily intimidated by Ury. In the 2010 city election, Kelley, Leckness and Sandzimier ran as a slate, but Sandzimier finished fourth in a race for three seats. Sandzimier emerged in city politics when then-councilman Lance MacLean appointed him to the planning commission in 2006. As the most memorable part of Sandzimier’s 2010 council campaign, he made headlines by claiming a driver tried to run over him. The incident may have influenced voters to avoid Sandzimier as volatile and an embarrassment to the city. Sandzimier during a 2010 candidate debate falsely claimed he didn’t work for a city vendor, which led to large banners on street corners: Reject Sandziliar. Bucknum works as a lobbyist for a property management company. Why any resident would want a lobbyist in office is a mystery. Ury relies on voters who aren’t paying attention to get reelected. In 2004, he ran on a promise to get overhead power lines buried, which he abandoned after the election. Incredibly, the folks who live under the lines in Canyon Crest gave his reelection a big boost in 2008 when they cast their ballots. Voters tend to fall for the type of slick literature Ury uses to stuff their mailboxes. In addition to Bucknum and Sandzimier, the two other challengers who have pulled papers are Ed Sachs and Richard Coleman.

	The Great Water Heist Approximately 400 people attended the July 25 meeting at the Norm Murray Center to hear about a proposal to purchase water for south Orange County. An attendee of the meeting wrote a reaction as he forwarded a summary written by Vern Nelson of the Orange Juice Blog. (Go to http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/ for the full story, photos, a video and reader comments.) Mission Viejo resident Joe Holtzman wrote, “This is a great summary of the meeting held to pump the desert truly dry by some local politicians and PIMPS. It also reveals the ‘True Pimps of Mission Viejo and Environs.’ Believe me, these folks make ‘The Real Housewives of OC’ look like saints.” Cadiz, the Desert Water Pimps by Vern Nelson July 26, 2012 I had no idea that 400 people showed up to Water Board meetings! Or how dramatic and entertaining they can be, or that they can go till 1 AM! What have I been missing? It’s probably not always like that though, not always like last night’s jam-packed meeting of the Santa Margarita Water District at the Murray Center in Mission Viejo, where the Board was to consider okaying the EIR for a jaw-droppingly audacious heist known hysterically as the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation Project – which aims to “conserve” all the groundwater underneath the Mojave Desert from EVAPORATION by shipping it 200 miles to the South OC for new development! Think about that. Not only was it unsurprising that hundreds of people – many of them having driven two hours from the Joshua Tree area – showed up to fulminate against this theft. Also unsurprising, given all the money involved, was that there were lots of supporters of the scheme there – “scientists” jabbering about how NOT paid-off they were, local businessmen eager for the spigot to start flowing, “consultants” ranging in size from the malignant, ubiquitous Reed Royalty to the shameless hulking Probolsky, and sullen high school kids holding slick pro-Cadiz signs who were probably promised pizza and then pooped out around 8pm. What WAS surprising to me and my colleague John Earl was to discover, in our wanderings about the lavish Murray Center, that Cadiz had their own secret war room, marked “Technical Room – Stay Out!” The insides of all windows and doors were covered with paper, but you could just barely peek in and see Cadiz principals and a couple dozen flacks studiously watching a live feed of everything that happened in the meeting, including the very typing of the Board’s stenographer, while critiquing, highlighting, and taking notes. When we reported this unusual, undemocratic phenomenon to young ace reporter Nick Gerda of the Voice of OC, and told him he should go check it out, he did … and came back somewhat shaken. Cadiz had threatened to call the police on Nick Gerda when he attempted to enter the room to do his job! [Update - see video of the "War Room" at the bottom of this post!*] Sure thing. There are men who, whether driven to desperation by their economic straits or lacking even that slim excuse, will look at their wife, or girlfriend, or sister, or daughter, or mother … and then think of all the rich, horny men out there in the world … and then say to themselves, “This woman is a resource of mine, which I am not yet fully exploiting!” And there are companies like that too. And one of them is CADIZ INC. – at least if you consider the water deep beneath your feet, for miles and miles around, to which you have no legal or natural right, to be similar to a woman you have power over. Standing in between them and their brazen scheme to drain the desert into the gaping maw of south-county developers, was nothing but a few notoriously corrupt San Bernardino pols. So Cadiz bought a few Supervisors, a few mayors and councils, and voila – objections turned into enthusiastic support! But purchased Inland Empire political support is a house of cards. Already one bought-off Supe has been slaughtered in the polls for just this transgression, as press-deprived 909′ers begin to wake up to the travesty. Debbie Cook, in her article we reprinted yesterday, mentioned the two looming lawsuits, and popular rage against this design on the area’s aquifer is spreading across the Mojave like … like whatever kind of fires they might have out there. A LOT of good speakers came down from the desert. They’ve got their scientists and legal experts just like we do, who made fools (or whores) of Cadiz’ pet scientists. Oh, but first – what WERE the main points Cadiz’ pet scientists made? Most of them began by stressing that all of this science was way too complicated for a common Cadiz opponent to understand – an important starting point, as their contentions really defy common sense. Also, none of the Mojave’s amazing variety of wildlife and vegetation are at all dependent on the vast aquifer in question, as it is so ridiculously deep – hundreds of feet down at some points! (Which seems hard to reconcile with their deep concern for this water being lost to EVAPORATION – such a danger in fact that we must QUICKLY get it into South-county swimming pools, artificial lakes, and verdant lawns, so it won’t EVAPORATE so much!) Also, he chromium and arsenic levels in this water are to laugh at – watch the scientist drink a glass! – for after all, chromium is one of the most common elements on the face of the earth, even more common than lead or cyanide! Also, this really IS an amazing, innovative project, and a model to be emulated in the future! (Kind of like toll lanes on the 405.) Scientists not on the payroll of Cadiz or the Board made quick work of demolishing these dubious claims. But one of my favorite desert speakers was a plain-spoken long-hair named Buck, who calmly countered: “There’s nothing new or innovative about this, man. It’s an old, old story. You’re just taking other people’s stuff.” ”Well, sad about the desert, but still … The OC = WINNING!!! (right? right?)” Well, actually, no. For two reasons, the OC is NOT winning, and I’m not even talking about the chromium and the lawsuits. One: We don’t need that water. We don’t need it for drinking. People in the South County don’t even drink tap water anyway, they drink bottled water. The people who want to “drink up the desert’s milkshake” like Daniel Plainview did to Bandy’s Tract are DEVELOPERS, who want to create and populate two, three, MANY more Ranchos Santa Margaritae, complete with the aforementioned shimmering artificial lakes, swimming pools, and verdant lawns. I am 96% positive that is not what most South County residents want. And Two: This unnecessary and gargantuan project is going to make your water rates go through the roof, 949-ers. Some of the best opposition speakers were south County conservatives who realize all this – friends of OJ’s own Larry Gilbert (who also spoke in opposition.) Former Mission Viejo Mayor Gail Reavis was a ROCK STAR, as was Larry’s irascible fly-fishing buddy Joe Holtzman. THEY know it’s the south County ratepayers that are going to be footing the bill for this folly and its attendant litigations. As I always say, I love these types of local issues that unite real conservatives, progressives and environmentalists against greedy insiders of both Parties. So, if we’re going with the metaphor of a pimp, why are we using a picture of Chinatown‘s Noah Cross? He wasn’t a pimp. But the parallels with that movie are irresistible – the unimaginably massive theft of one region’s water supply and its transport to another greedy region, and, as Debbie began to document yesterday, the endlessly incestuous relationships between Cadiz, politicians and water boards. And around midnight she stood before them like an accusing angel, hurling charge after undeniable charge of illegalities, corruption and cronyism, their worst nightmare and Huntington Beach’s pride. But this Board, the Santa Margarita Water Board, IS in a really tough pickle now. They know that there are many compelling reasons to back out of this project, BUT they have been spending so much money pursuing it – tens of thousands of dollars – for which they will ONLY BE COMPENSATED by Cadiz if they approve it. So it’s like Cadiz has already made them a little bit pregnant. So you ask, wrap it up, what DID the Board decide at 1AM this morning? Well, after a five minute recess, they decided to go home, think about it for five sleepless nights, and make the decision next Tuesday night, July 31. Maybe they hope we’ll all forget about this by then. Fat Chance. Link to photos and video: http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2012/07/cadiz-the-desert-water-pimps/

	Restore America in November Although the origin of the following paragraph isn’t clear, the message is widely circulated. A blog reader forwarded it, adding: “The summary below highlights an extremely serious problem. More than half the citizens are receiving some sort of government support. Jefferson and others before him warned that capitalism starts to die out at that point. Mitt Romney’s message of restoring America is resonating with voters.” The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their President.

	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. Concerts at Lake Mission Viejo on Saturdays: Hunter Hayes on Aug. 4, Leon Russell on Aug. 18 and Hanson on Sept. 1. Concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and are limited to lake association members and their guests. Call or visit the website for information, 949-770-1313, ext. 311, or http://www.lakemissionviejo.org Moore’s Sewing Center, one-day Sewing Celebration seminar on accessories and techniques, Sat., Aug. 11, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., 25390 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 580-2520, http://www.moores-sew.com/class-calendar-mission-viejo.html Doheny Surf Festival, Sat.-Sun., Aug. 11-12, surf expo and fundraiser to help save state parks. Live music, food and beverages. Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, (949) 366-8599, http://www.dohenystatebeach.org Young Rembrandts art classes, available at Mission Viejo Michael store, Fashion Runway fashion illustration workshop, Aug. 12-16, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Call or visit the website for information about other classes, 25310 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 679-0430, www.youngrembrandts.com Shakespeare in the Park, “Merry Wives of Windsor,” Thurs., Aug. 23 and Sat.-Sun., Aug. 25-26, 6:00 p.m., the Dana Point Theater Company, Lantern Bay Park, Dana Point, (949) 291-5083, dptheaterco@hotmail.com Pageant of the Masters, through Aug. 31, 8:30 p.m. performances, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (800) 487-3378, http://www.pageanttickets.com Sawdust Art Festival, through Aug. 31, on the festival grounds, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030, http://www.sawdustartfestival.org Ramblin' Rogues' Beginning Square Dance Class, registration dates are Sept. 6, 13 and 20, Norman Murray Community Center, 14932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., $6 per class. Couples and singles are welcome; no dance experience necessary. Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes. Class runs Thursday nights through June. For more information, call Sy or Judy, (949) 322-8790.

	Political and Government Events Calendar Meet Hugh Hewitt, author of The Brief Against Obama: The Rise, Fall & Epic Fail of the Hope & Change Presidency, Mon., July 30, 3:00 p.m. radio broadcast and 7:00 p.m. lecture and book signing, Richard Nixon Presidential Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1161, http://nixonfoundation.org/ai1ec_event/meet-hugh-hewitt/?instance_id=471 South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., July 30. 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 Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., July 31, 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 Santa Margarita Water District, continuation of public meeting to discuss the Cadiz Project, Tues., July 31, 6:00 p.m., Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. El Toro Water District meetings: Community Advisory Committee Meeting on Thurs., Aug. 2, 11:30 a.m.; Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., Aug. 21, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Aug. 23, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com/ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Day, Orange County Young Republicans, Sat., Aug. 4, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Evan’s Gunsmithing and Shooter’s World, 1637 N. Brian St., Orange, tickets are available online, http://www.ocyr.org , or email president@ocyr.org Concert at the Richard Nixon Library, Sun., Aug. 5, coloratura soprano Antoinette Brosius. 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) 364-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts/ Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., Aug. 10, 7:30 a.m., Finance Committee on Fri., Aug. 17, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors will meet on Wed., Aug. 22, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Mon., Aug. 13, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Aug. 15, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Aug. 16, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting on Mon., Aug. 20, 7:00 p.m., 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/ Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Tues., Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m., “if necessary.” District office, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ Saddleback Republican Assembly does not meet in July or August. The next SRA meeting will be on Thurs., Sept. 20, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be John Moorlach, Orange County Supervisor, Second District. 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.

	The Buzz Kevin Jackson reports: I'm writing from Dallas, after having been on GBTV for two days and attending Glenn Beck's Restoring Love event, which was phenomenal. … But I do wonder if we can restore love, when the Left is all about hate. Love is ALL around them, but they choose to see racism, elitism, and in things that make America great like capitalism, Judeo-Christian values, and the military. There are far more acts of kindness in the world than racism, but the Left look through jaundiced eyes. And all for the sake of power. For an ideology that simply doesn't work, even in theory. I blame the Left for the condition of America, but I blame us for letting them get their foothold. We are well past time for standing up, and Restoring Love means in my book Restoring TOUGH Love!” http://www.theblacksphere.org * New product in OC stores: Hope Hummus has a local connection, but the product sells out so fast Mission Viejo residents are having trouble finding it. Alek Ramoska grew up in Mission Viejo and left for Colorado to attend college. Alek and two friends developed Hope Hummus and started their company in Boulder in April 2011. Visit their website, http://hopehummus.com/ * Although developer UDR is moving forward with its controversial high-density housing project on east Los Alisos, it is withdrawing in some other areas. From the July 17 Wall Street Journal: “Apartment developer UDR Inc. is pushing forward with its plan to build up its portfolio in places like New York and Washington, while jettisoning properties in markets where it doesn't want to expand, despite a lack of enthusiasm from some investors regarding the strategy. In its latest deal, UDR, Highlands Ranch, Colo., has sold 15 apartment communities with nearly 5,000 apartments in Phoenix, Jacksonville, Fla., Dallas and Richmond, Va. The buyer, DRA Advisors LLC, paid $477 million in the deal, which closed last month and is one of the largest multifamily deals this year.” http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120717-712231.html * Blog reader J.C. commented: “After reading about other cities in financial trouble, I would expect some of them to start selling city-owned real estate instead of filing for bankruptcy. I don’t know what would prevent them from selling things like parks, and enticing buyers with a prospect of rezoning the parcels to housing.” * Exercise in a fun way. Try Ramblin' Rogues' Beginning Square Dance Class. Registration dates are Sept. 6, 13 and 20. Class time and location: Norman Murray Community Center, 14932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $6 per class. Couples and singles are welcome, and no dance experience is necessary. Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes. Class runs Thursday nights through June. Make this your year to get moving! For more information, call Sy or Judy (949) 322-8790.

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