Just Say No to Ury

Councilman Frank Ury runs on Other People’s Money, including campaign donations from special interest and city vendors. Since he hasn’t supported the Republican slate or principles of the party, how will Republican officials react to his candidacy for reelection this year? When Councilwoman Trish Kelley asked the Orange County GOP to endorse her in 2010, they said no, citing that she had twice campaigned for and endorsed a Democrat.

Following are examples from Ury’s record, including a sampling of his council votes.

• Ury on 5-7-2007 voted against the public’s right to pull agenda items from the consent calendar.
• Ury on 4-7-08 voted to fund a Rose Parade float and in October 2008 voted to move it forward (the expense exceeded $300K) during the same month the city required liquidating two bonds to meet payroll.
• Ury on 7-7-08 (Agenda Item 39) voted for a social host ordinance, an infringement on constitutional rights of due process and probable cause.
• Ury on 11-17-08 (Agenda Item 21, during the meeting immediately after his reelection) and 6-21-10 (Agenda Item 24) voted to bestow lifetime medical benefits on part-time council members who serve three four-year terms, and he rescinded benefits twice (on 5-19-08, Agenda Item No. 30, and 7-6-10, Agenda Item No. 36) to assist campaigns for like-minded majority council members seeking to save their seats. In the final vote eliminating the benefits, Ury cast the sole vote trying to keep lifetime healthcare for himself.
• Ury on 6-22-09 voted to bust the budget after approving it at the same meeting on 6-22-09, taking $4M from reserves to upgrade a tennis club, following three years of deficit spending.
• Ury on 1-3-2010 supported taking $1M from reserves to spend on a dog park. On 3-19-12, he voted to proceed with a land swap as a site for the $1M park, in which the city would get only 2.71 acres in return for giving the county 7.18 acres.
  Ury on 2-1-2010 voted to remove from the city manager’s contract a misconduct clause, whereby the city manager cannot be fired, even if convicted of certain felonies.
• Ury’s endorsement of a Democrat occurred in the 2-2-10 and 11-8-10 city elections.
• Ury voted for pension reform while simultaneously voting for pay raises (5-17-2011, Agenda Item 21).
• Ury on 1-3-2011 voted against reappointing Mark Dobrilovic (GOP Central Committee alternate) as a city financial advisory board member, saying “Dobrilovic needs to focus on other things.”
• Ury on 1-3-2011 voted to stop audio taping closed sessions.
• Ury on 2-21-2011 authored and voted to approve establishing the city’s Housing Authority, following his seven years of consistent support for the Redevelopment Agency.
• Ury on 8-15-11 presented a PowerPoint presentation attacking all residents who commented against a high-density apartment project, falsely claiming they had caused a lawsuit against the city over affordable housing. Since residents have no vote on such projects, they could not have caused a lawsuit. Ury’s action of dismantling the city’s AH plan by turning affordable housing over to an ad hoc committee on 1-3-2006 triggered the state’s decertification of the city’s housing element, which was the basis for the 4-26-2006 lawsuit against the city costing taxpayers approximately $1 million.

Council Race Begins

What sport follows the Olympics? Mudslinging! Mission Viejo’s city council contest officially started last week. Six candidates completed the filing process before the 5:00 p.m. deadline on Aug. 11. Two seats are on the ballot in November.

Here’s the lineup.

Incumbent Frank Ury is running for a third term. In 2004, Southern California Edison announced plans to add overhead power lines in north Mission Viejo. Ury ran on a promise to get the lines buried, and residents with homes near the lines campaigned for him. After they got him elected, he laughed at them and made disparaging remarks about those who worked hardest for him. In 2008, he campaigned on “Promises Kept.” Apparently, those promises are the ones he made to his out-of-town financiers.

Incumbent Cathy Schlicht is running for a second term. A longtime city activist, Cathy is the only council member who comes to the meetings well prepared to discuss city business. She works for a financial company where she negotiates contracts and handles millions of dollars in private investment loans. Her 2008 campaign slogan was “Can’t be bought, can’t be bullied.” She has kept her promises to residents, and she is often the lone vote for fiscal responsibility. Voters should anticipate a negative campaign against her, fueled by the backers of Frank Ury and council challenger Wendy Bucknum.

Ed Sachs is a first-time challenger. He mentions his business background and concern for city finances when talking about why he’s running for a council seat. Politically, he’s associated with Tea Partiers and reform-minded citizens. He ran for the OC Republican Central Committee in 2010 but didn’t win.

Wendy Bucknum’s backers include ex-council members Sherri Butterfield, Susan Withrow and Roger Faubel. If that isn’t enough to scare voters, Bucknum works as a lobbyist for a property management company.

Desi Kiss is the only candidate who doesn’t have a ballot statement, but he passed his resume around. He has an impressive background in civil and structural engineering. Activists who have met Desi say he’s passionate about his beliefs and outspoken on some of the city’s problems. When Desi talks about city hall, it’s not in flattering terms, particularly about staff members who recently approved a questionable remodeling job.

Richard Coleman is not a familiar name in city politics, and some voters might find that refreshing. According to his ballot statement, he’s a test engineering manager. He says he’s running for council to find out how decisions are made for the city. Given his occupation (e.g., testing to see if something works or if the design is sound), he’s going to find out that council majority decisions are pretty much the opposite – arbitrary, self-enriching and whatever produces the greatest amount of waste.

Richard Sandzimier pulled papers but did not complete the process.

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, 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

Moore’s Sewing Center, Multi-Needle Magic appliques and techniques on Tues., Aug. 14, 6:00 p.m.; Sewing Technology Party on Sat., 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., 25390 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 580-2520, http://www.moores-sew.com/class-calendar-mission-viejo.html

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

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, Sat.-Sun., Aug. 25-26, rodeo, music, food, activities for children, Oaks Blenheim Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 842-3782, http://www.mvrodeo.com

Tchaikovsky Spectacular, Sat., Aug. 25, 8:00 p.m., Pacific Symphony, music enhanced with fireworks and cannons, plus violin prodigy Chad Hoopes, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, (714) 755-5799, http://www.pacificsymphony.org

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.
Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes. Class runs Thursday nights through June. For more information, call Sy or Judy, (949) 322-8790.

Save the date – Taste of St. Kilian, Sat., Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Norm Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo, dining event and live entertainment for those 18 and older while children’s activities take place at the parish’s Hughes Hall. Information can be found at http://www.stkilianchurch.org

Political and Government Events Calendar

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

“Meet First Lady Pat Nixon,” portrayed by longtime Nixon family friend Maureen Nunn, Tues., Aug. 14, 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: Finance Committee on Fri., Aug. 17, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors 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. 19, soprano Lisa Yamamoto. 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/

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 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

Here’s the official response from the national organization TeaPartyPatriots.org: “Tea Party Patriots welcomes the selection of Paul Ryan as the Vice-Presidential running mate for Governor Mitt Romney. With this selection, Governor Romney and the Republican Party make it clear that they have accepted the Tea Party Patriots values of fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets as the best course of action for economic recovery and restoring personal freedom and individual responsibility to our national values.”

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Response of Mission Viejo Tea Party Patriots to Romney selecting Ryan: excellent choice.

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Conservative activist Kevin Jackson weighs in: “Biden may not want to ever get out of his cage knowing that he will have to debate Paul Ryan. I think Romney's choice of Ryan shows that he is not running from Ryan's budget, and he will focus on Obama's wrecking of the economy. Ryan is a fiscal hawk, and he is a grass roots favorite for his boldness in confronting Obama and his destruction of America. This choice says that Romney is ready to fight! Are you?” http://theblacksphere.net/

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Tea Party groups are independent, but they also network with each other and work together. An exception is a faction of Orange County Tea Parties, which are strictly Ron Paul supporters. The odd thing is that they don’t present themselves as a Ron Paul club. While they say they are “conservatives,” they are often secretive about their agenda. Some observers hope the Ron Paul campaign nationwide will support Romney and Ryan. Others have doubts. Locally, Ron Paul supporters have worked for three years to infiltrate Republican circles. Before becoming optimistic, watch what they do at the national convention.

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The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, Aug. 27-30, when 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates will assemble. A new program this year, “Convention Without Walls,” provides worldwide access to viewers. Get started at GOPConvention2012.com\

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A comment written by city activist Larry Gilbert was forwarded to this blog: “A tale of two cities. This post is about Mission Viejo and our northern neighbor the city of Lake Forest, each of whom were incorporated within a few years of each other. MV was incorporated on 3/31/1988. The city of Lake Forest was incorporated on December 20, 1991. While they have a lot in common, one area of their differences is about to be celebrated. Conserving taxpayer money.

“On Saturday September 15th the city of Lake Forest will celebrate its 20th anniversary by having a dinner party at Oakley with a no host bar and dancing. The ticket cost is $50 each. In my follow up, I was told that unlike Mission Viejo they will not have a float in the Tournament of Roses parade. As I reflect back on our 20th Anniversary we spent over $300,000 for a float. I wrote numerous articles that can be found in the archives of the Orange Juice blog in which I argued against this expenditure during the recession.

“Sadly we may call ourselves conservatives but at times ‘we don't walk the talk.’

“When I addressed the city council in opposition to this project the council majority justified this expenditure by pointing out that the funds were budgeted in a prior year. In my council comments l challenged that council expenditure during the recession as well as pointing out that we are not a destination city, and at that time had no housing tracts up for sale. The destination city of Anaheim won an award in that same parade while spending half of what Mission Viejo spent using taxpayer funds. Prior to his becoming mayor of Anaheim I spoke to Tom Tait who said he does not want his city to spend taxpayer money for Rose Parade floats.

“I carry a Nov 27, 2011 NY Times article that addresses participation in the Rose Parade in which they write that Rick Jackson, president of the Tournament of Roses Association, stated that he would be ‘hard pressed to tell a city that paying upward of $200,000 for a float is a wise use of money.’ They go on to quote him stating ‘A long time ago it was less about selling something and more about participating in something.’ It continues ‘now people are looking for a return on their investment. They want to know what they are getting out of it. That's just the way of the world now.’

“Compare and contrast. Mission Viejo has two council seats up in this election cycle. Cathy Schlicht opposed this project as a local watchdog while councilmember Frank Ury had no concerns over this expenditure.

“‘Trust, but verify’ is in order. Simply check our MV city council archives.”

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