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Council Campaign Comment Mission Viejo activist Larry Gilbert’s report on city council campaigns was forwarded to this blog on Aug. 1. It's a new day and a new month. Today I am monitoring campaign contributions. As local campaigns are heating up, one area that I monitor is who is funding these candidates. All incumbents and their challengers were required to file Form 460 disclosure documents to the city clerk by 5 p.m. July 31st. These mid-year 460 Reports include all financial activities for the period from 1-1-12 thru 6-30-12. As I begin reviewing these reports in the city of Mission Viejo, one contributor jumps off the page. Specifically, Sentinel Development, owners of the Kaleidoscope project, where they are applying pressure at our city council meetings to add electronic billboards on that huge complex located at Crown Valley and the freeway. Folks, they are requesting a major deviation from our sign ordinance to add 60-foot x 20-foot, flashing electronic signs on all sides of the project. If you read pages 6 and 9 of mayor Frank Ury's 460, you will find a $1500 cash donation and a second contribution of $600 for food for a fundraiser in that complex by the same Sentinel group. The owners want these billboards to add offsite advertising, which to me could include Vegas casinos, Victoria’s Secret and other major merchants. Both the cities of Laguna Niguel and Laguna Hills have submitted letters in opposition to this request. In my conversation with Kathryn McCullough, mayor of Lake Forest, she also expressed the same opposition. Sensing strong voter opposition, the city may get cute and delay their decision until after the election. We can't take the risk. With five council members, every one of their votes are vital. For that reason, based on his accepting donations from this "special interest," I would urge you to reject Frank Ury in your November 6th vote. And while we are discussing Mission Viejo candidates, challenger Wendy Bucknum was also the recipient of a fundraiser held inside the same Kaleidoscope complex. I know it’s early, but we should each engage in due diligence before voting at any level of the political spectrum. If you oppose huge digital electronic signs converting this bedroom community into a Vegas strip, I would urge a NO vote on both Frank Ury and Wendy Bucknum. |
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Water Heist Update Some Mission Viejo residents who attended the Santa Margarita Water District’s special meetings criticized the proposal, and others said the process was blatantly corrupt. The public was invited to hear and comment on the Cadiz Proposal to ship water 200 miles from the Mojave Desert to south Orange County. The first meeting was July 25. From an article about a similar Cadiz proposal: “As a publicly traded company, Cadiz, Inc. is roughly $56 million in debt and so in an attempt to become profitable Scott Slater and his business cronies devised a plan to pump 200,000 acre-feet of water out of the Mojave Desert and transfer it to Los Angeles in a deal proposed with the Metropolitan Water District. The heavily flawed plan ran into to a heap of criticism almost immediately. The environmental concerns coupled with the fact that the amount of water being pumped out would ultimately suck the underground aquifer dry caused the deal to fall flat. The deal was so bad that the purchaser of the water, the Metropolitan Water District, voted against the project.” http://responsiblewaterpolicies.org/history/ Vern Nelson’s report on the first meeting in Mission Viejo, held July 25 at the Community Center, was published on this blog ( http://missionviejoca.org/html/article225.html ). The July 25 meeting ran until 1:00 a.m., and it was continued to July 31. On Aug. 1, Nelson posted an update on the Orange Juice Blog, summarizing the outcome of the second meeting: “Update August 1. Figures. Bastards. The Santa Margarita Water Board voted unanimously last night to approve the EIR for this monstrosity. At least now they’ll get reimbursed for their expenses. Now, as so often, it’s up to the lawsuits to stop it. The lawyers always love that. Too bad, south County ratepayers, this is on your tab. We here at the Orange Juice, however, are always trying to think of constructive things you can do about [expletive] like this – and we know of at least one GREAT candidate who is running for this Board in November – stay tuned!” Those who want more information, particularly on where the water is coming from, can find it in Chris Clarke’s Aug. 1 post on SoCal Focus. Clarke begins: “In a development that surprised exactly no one, the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) Board of Directors voted unanimously last night to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Cadiz Water Project, as well as the Project's Groundwater Management, Monitoring, and Mitigation Plan and the terms under which the water district will buy water from Cadiz. “Though it was all but inevitable, given Rancho Santa Margarita's urgent need to water its lawns with Mojave Desert groundwater, the vote nonetheless becomes the most recent iteration in California's 162-year history of treating its deserts as worthless -- except as they contribute to the comfort of coastal Californians.” Continue reading: http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/environment/cadiz-california-and-dissing-the-desert.html |
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Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Participants in Chick-fil-A’s Aug. 1 Appreciation Day waited in lines around buildings in support of comments by the restaurant chain’s president favoring traditional marriage. Nationally, Chick-fil-A had record-breaking sales. Customers who went to Chick-fil-A on El Toro Road near the Laguna Hills Mall said the long drive-in line meandered throughout the parking lot. They couldn’t figure out where to get in it, so they stood in line to get into the restaurant. They said everything went smoothly, with teams of employees delivering orders. On Aug. 3, gay protesters organized their response with a Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A restaurants. OC Register reporter Chris Boucly described the Aug. 3 turnout as “far smaller” than the Aug. 1 Appreciation Day. He tells about the biggest turnout in Orange County: six gay-marriage advocates at an Irvine location. http://www.ocregister.com/news/chick-366976-fil-family.html Boucly managed to capture the irony about the reaction of gay advocates, who are creating headlines about tolerance. Did last week’s events not stem from their intolerance of comments favoring traditional marriage? |
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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. Young Rembrandts art classes, available at Mission Viejo Michaels Store, Preschool Drawing on Tuesdays (2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.), Aug. 7 – Aug. 28; 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 Enderle Center Summer Concert, Thurs., Aug. 9, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., free to the public, Vince, Bob and Buddy Band – Oldies but Goodies, 17th Street and Yorba Street, Tustin, (714) 731-2911, http://www.enderlecenter.com 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 Concerts at Lake Mission Viejo on Saturdays: 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 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 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 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 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. |
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Political and Government Events Calendar “Meet President Nixon,” portrayed by his younger brother Ed Nixon, Tues., Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org/ 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 Concert at the Richard Nixon Library, Sun., Aug. 12, pop and classical pianist Howard Cowles. 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/ 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 Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Aug. 14, 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 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/ El Toro Water District meetings: 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/ South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Aug. 27. 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 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. |
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The Buzz On Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., St. Kilian parish of Mission Viejo will host a dining event at the Norm Murray Community Center. The parish, which has ongoing construction projects, will hold its Taste of St. Kilian offsite. The event will include dining and live entertainment for those 18 and older while children’s activities take place at St. Kilian’s Hughes Hall. Information can be found at http://www.stkilianchurch.org *** From Kevin Jackson regarding the conservative victory of Ted Cruz, who came from behind in last week’s Texas Primary race for a U.S. Senate seat: “I know the power of the grass roots is fearful for a few, but get over it. It's time the PEOPLE take back control. DC is not for rock stars, but representatives who do what we require of them. Also, how about the conservative movement standing up for Chick-fil-A! How cool was that? The 1st Amendment was under attack, and we sent the gay mafia running for the hills. Think of Chick-fil-A as polling locations on Nov 6, 2012.” http://theblacksphere.net/ *** Rasmussen: “A president’s Job Approval rating is one of the best indicators for assessing his chances of reelection. Typically, the president’s Job Approval rating on Election Day will be close to the share of the vote he receives. Currently, 46 percent of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's job performance. Fifty-two percent (52 percent) at least somewhat disapprove.” In the most recent presidential poll, Aug. 2-4, Rasmussen Tracking gave Romney a two-point lead with Obama at 45 percent and Romney at 47 percent. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html *** Safeguard education in the Capistrano school district: candidates for school board will be introduced at an event on Thurs., Aug. 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m., San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. From the announcement: “Our upcoming Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) election in November has particular impact for those with children in a CUSD school. Our district has voted to cut $51 million out of next year’s budget. This will mean larger class sizes and a three week reduction in the 2012 – 2013 school year. The importance of electing fiscally responsible candidates cannot be overstated. In addition, for those that are within the school district boundaries, our current board is bouncing around the idea of imposing a parcel tax on each homeowner to help offset the budget cuts. Whether you have a child in CUSD or you’re just a concerned voter, your voice counts – NOW more than ever! Current board members Ellen Addonizio and Sue Palazzo will deliver a State of the District address.” For more information, visit the website, http://www.holdcusdaccountable.org/ *** Presidential Campaign slogans
*** Barack Obama’s unofficial goal in 2008: “Redistribute the wealth.” For 2012: “Redistribute the poverty.” |
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