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	Treachery of Unions The media reported an incident in Costa Mesa last week regarding a union thug falsely accusing Councilman Jim Righeimer of drunk driving. Coverage can be found at http://www.ocregister.com/articles/righeimer-369544-police-dammeier.html Following is information from P.M. of Costa Mesa. A shortened version of his message was forwarded to this blog: Protest CM Police Union Thugs: Here’s an account of the events which is different from what was reported in the Daily Pilot. Police union Private Investigator is following Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer around town on Thurs., Aug. 23. Righeimer stops into Skosh Monahan's Restaurant on Thursday afternoon. Drinks 2 diet cokes. Luckily, Mr. Righeimer doesn't drink booze. Mr. Righeimer leaves Monahan's, gets followed home by a Police Union private investigator. Union PI calls in a false 911 call that said Mr. Righeimer is speeding, drunk and swerving on the road. PI ignores 911 advice and follows Mr. Righeimer to his home. Cops come to Mr. Righeimer's home. Cops give Mr. Righeimer a field sobriety test in front of his kids. Mr. Righeimer and his wife confront the driver who speeds away. No name given. The 911 call was traced to former Riverside union cop turned PI who works for the same firm the CMPD uses to negotiate contracts. The union tried to take Righeimer down. Someone will go to jail. It is all over LA news. This is scary stuff! This is not the first time a council member has been intimidated. Mr. Monahan (a Costa Mesa councilman) had a brick put through his window. Righeimer became the target of the union during city negotiations in Costa Mesa. As school trustees, elected officials and conservative candidates have experienced, anyone who crosses the union risks attack. In the Capistrano school district, the union organized a campaign to remove Trustees Mike Winsten and Ken Maddox from office in 2010. The union also attacked CUSD parents who supported Winsten and Maddox. In the successful recall of Councilman Lance MacLean in 2010, the deputies union spent approximately $125,000 in a failed attempt to keep MacLean in office. The irony of the deputies’ involvement was MacLean’s history of violent behavior. He lost his job at UCI after assaulting a co-worker, and he hid his history of domestic violence. The UCI assault was widely reported, and the police knew about calls from MacLean’s home after his assault on a family member. In February 2010, Wendy Bucknum posted a union sign in front of her house, along with a Democrat’s sign. Her Republican neighbors were so outraged with the signs in her yard that they complained to city activists. In the 2010 November election, Bucknum again campaigned for a Democrat, and she spent the election trashing Republicans who had received the endorsement of the Orange County GOP. As a member in the So. Or. County Chamber of Commerce, Bucknum used the chamber’s membership list for political hit pieces she wrote during both elections. Members were offended she was turning the Chamber into an attack machine under the guise of “business.” They said Bucknum’s emails were smutty attacks with false claims that the Republican candidates were trying to destroy business. In the city election this November, Bucknum is a Mission Viejo council candidate. She recently asked for the endorsement of the OC Republican Party. The OC GOP understands that Righeimer’s council position is on the line for standing up to the union in Costa Mesa. The OC GOP is aware that the Capo school district has been taken over by a union-controlled board. A relevant item on the ballot this November is Prop 32, the “Paycheck Protection” Initiative. If approved, Proposition 32 will: Ban both corporate and union contributions to state and local candidates Ban contributions by government contractors to the politicians who control contracts awarded to them Ban automatic deductions by corporations, unions, and government of employees’ wages to be used for politics If the OC GOP is consistent, it will support Prop 32 and reject candidates who have joined union campaigns against conservative Republicans. In addition to taking a position against the union, the OC GOP has a history of refusing to endorse Republican candidates who have campaigned for and/or endorsed Democrats. In 2006, then-councilman Lance MacLean failed to get the GOP’s endorsement because he posted a Democrat’s sign in his yard. In 2010, the OC GOP rejected Councilwoman Trish Kelley’s request for the endorsement because she endorsed a Democrat.

	PALs Update Capo School District Parents Advocate League Dear PALs, I have visited all the Senate offices to encourage their opposition to AB 5. This bill went from a quiet slam-dunk to a bill most of the Senators' staff (Democrats and Republican) are reconsidering, thanks to the efforts of several education reform groups as well as concerned parents, like you, that have taken the extra steps to call or email your opposition to AB 5. In fact, Fuentes is making last minute amendments to try to get this bill through. Unfortunately, he is not working together with any student-focused groups on these amendments. Therefore, it appears his biggest concern is his bill passing, NOT the students of California. This fight is not over. We still need your help NOW. The CA Senate Education Committee needs to hear from you ASAP that Assembly Bill 5 is not good enough for students, teachers, or parents. In fact, most Senators see that this bill is not the answer for students. They need to have support from YOU, the parents, voters, and taxpayers, to give them a solid reason to oppose AB 5. Even if you called earlier this week, you need to call the Senators listed below again today. Currently, the only group supporting AB 5 is CTA (California Teachers Association). They are a powerful and very political group that protects its members, NOT STUDENTS. Please take time to support students by calling the Senators listed below NOW. The full Senate will likely vote on Assembly Bill 5 Friday or next week. If the bill passes, it will make the present teacher evaluation system worse than it already is, and it will do nothing to ensure that students have great teachers. We urge you: Call all the Education Committee Senators to let them know of your opposition to AB 5, and demand a stronger teacher evaluation bill. Forward this email to your friends, colleagues, and family who are also interested in improving our public education system, and urge them to act today! Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg 916-651-1529 Senator.Steinberg@senate.ca.gov Senate Education Committee: Alan Lowenthal (916) 651-4027 Sharon Runner (916) 651-4017 Elaine Alquist (916) 651-4013 Sam Blakeslee (916) 651-4015 Loni Hancock (916) 651-4009 Bob Huff (916) 651-4029 Carol Liu (916) 651-4021 Curren Price (916) 651-4026 Joe Simitian (916) 651-4011 Juan Vargas (916) 651-4040 You can also read this editorial from the San Francisco Chronicle. It came out this morning and has had a very strong influence on many Senators who are now reconsidering their support of AB 5 after realizing that so much of the public, newspaper editorial boards, and the education community is against the bill. http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/AB5-should-be-voted-down-3805501.php#ixzz24H5V9yMo It's still not enough! Your voice is needed to oppose this bill and demand that the legislature return with a rigorous and professional teacher evaluation! For calls, they can be very basic, such as: A. Your name. B. Resident of ______________ C. Reason for calling: “I'm calling to urge Senator ___________ to oppose the Teacher Evaluation Bill, AB 5. It's not good enough for our students, teachers, parents, or principals. We need a much more rigorous evaluation system to ensure that every student has a great teacher.” Or if time allows, give as many of the reasons below as you can to be effective (or consider using these reasons along with your own style of writing): It doesn't include student growth as a factor - the most important evaluation factor is how effective teachers are in getting students to learn - AB 5 ignores how much the students have learned while in the teacher's classroom. Including student growth as a factor in the evaluation is not about a single test score at the end of the year. It's about growth throughout the school year (using various assessments) and the impact that teachers have on how much students learn. It continues to use a 2 grade system for teachers: satisfactory vs. unsatisfactory, rather than a 4 point system such as "4. Highly Effective, 3. Effective, 2. Needs Improvement, 1. Ineffective". Great teachers aren't identified with a 2 grade system, and teachers who strongly need professional development aren't clearly identified either. It would be like limiting students to receiving either a C or a D, without a chance to earn an A or B, and no way to identify those who failed so that they can get the additional help that they need. Note: technically, the 2 choices are: "Meets or Exceeds Standards" (which lumps good and great teachers with satisfactory teachers), and "Unsatisfactory". It's insulting to great teachers who can never be identified and honored for their work. It does not evaluate teachers annually. New (non-tenured) and "unsatisfactory" teachers will be evaluated every year, teachers with 3-10 years’ experience who have received "satisfactory" grades will be evaluated every 2 years, and teachers with over 10 years of teaching who received "satisfactory" evaluations will be evaluated every 3 years. It's unprofessional, it lacks accountability, it prevents most teachers from receiving critical feedback on an annual basis, and it doesn't allow struggling teachers to be identified - the ones that need professional development ASAP. It continues the terrible policy of "Last In, First Out", which means layoffs will continue to be based on seniority rather than how effective the teachers are in getting students to learn. CA is 1 of 11 states that still bases layoffs solely on seniority. In the present layoff policy (and AB 5 will continue this policy), the number of years taught is more valued than how much the students have learned. This needs to change! How else will you attract people to become teachers when they are told "Join the most important profession in society, but realize that we care more about attendance than effectiveness. You should expect to receive your pink slip next Spring.” How will schools be able to attract and retain great teachers? An example that should baffle and infuriate you: the 2012 Sacramento USD Teacher of the Year, a 6th grade teacher with 9 years of experience, received the district's highest award at about the same time that she received her pink slip (Reduction In Force notice). Honoring teachers for their work in the classroom while continuing a layoff policy that ignores performance is both insulting to teachers and detrimental to students. It's funded for only 1 year, taking $89 million away from funds that were intended for low performing schools using QEIA funds (Quality Education Investment Act, approximately 1,500 schools serving 1.25 million students, serving 20% of CA students). Funding for the rest of the schools is not yet established. It will prevent California and individual districts from receiving flexibility waivers from federal funding sources including No Child Left Behind and Race To The Top. Last year, California schools missed out on $350 million in federal funding due to having an inadequate teacher evaluation (CA does not use multiple levels to determine teacher effectiveness (not just satisfactory and unsatisfactory), and does not require student growth be used as a factor in evaluations). AB 5 will continue to ignore these federal requirements and resist what most states have realized and changed: that the impact that a teacher has on student learning is important, is measurable, and must be a part of the teacher evaluation. It overturns a June 2012 court decision that requires Los Angeles USD to include student growth in their teacher evaluations... which is exactly the intention behind those who are supporting this bill... to prevent student growth from being used in Los Angeles and in districts across the entire state. “Our students, teachers, parents, and principals need a much better teacher evaluation system than the one in AB 5. We can and must do better!” “Please oppose AB 5, commit to working on a rigorous and accountable evaluation system next legislative season, and I will support you in your next election.” Please feel free to tell the Senators' offices that you are a member of Parents Advocate League. I will be visiting the above offices today, and I am looking forward to hearing that PALs is playing an important part in supporting ALL students in California. All the best, Julie Julie Collier Parents Advocate League http://www.facebook.com/ParentsAdvocateLeaguePALs

	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. 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 Concert at Lake Mission Viejo featuring Hanson on Sat., Sept. 1, 7:00 p.m. Attendance is 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 SHARE Food Collection, Sun., Sept. 2, Mount of Olives Church. Drop off non-perishable food items in SHARE barrels on campus, 24772 Chrisanta Dr., Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.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. Moore’s Sewing Center, Diamond Club meets at 10:00 a.m., Fri., Sept. 7, Wed., Aug. 22, 10:00 a.m., 25390 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 580-2520, http://www.moores-sew.com/class-calendar-mission-viejo.html Doheny Days Music Festival, Sat.-Sun., Sept. 8-9, Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, (949) 360-7300, http://www.dohenydays.com 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 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 Concert at the Richard Nixon Library, Sun., Sept. 2, baritone Mark Palmer. 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 meetings in September: special board meeting on Tues., Sept. 4. Regular meetings on Mon., Sept. 10, and Mon., Sept. 24. Meetings generally begin at 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/ Meet Mike Gallager at the Nixon Presidential Library, Mon., Sept. 10, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. His appearance is part of the Distinguished Speakers Series Lectures and Book Signings, Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Sept. 11, 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., 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/ Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Community Relations, Wed., Sept. 12, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Mon., Sept. 17, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Sept. 19, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Sept. 20, 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., Sept. 14, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Sept. 21, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., Sept. 26, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Saddleback Republican Assembly, 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. El Toro Water District meetings: Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., Sept. 25, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Sept. 27, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com/

	The Buzz Grand Jury Report on Redevelopment Agencies, from the Aug. 24 newsletter of OC Supv. Shawn Nelson: “The Board approved a response to the June 22 release of the Grand Jury report ‘The Dissolution of Redevelopment’ update. The County agreed with the finding that its role is and will continue to be vital as redevelopment agencies are eliminated, including consolidation of the multiple oversight boards into a single body and approval of audit contracts. However, the County disagreed with the assertion that a substitute redevelopment agency will eventually replace the former program. In approving the response, Supervisor Nelson reiterated there is a legal definition for blight, which was, unfortunately, rarely present in the real-world application of redevelopment agency initiatives.” * Over the weekend, council incumbent Cathy Schlicht had a garage sale fundraiser for her reelection campaign. Community members who attended the garage sale remarked about Cathy’s dedication to researching and understanding city issues. One of them said, “Anyone in office who is willing to work that hard gets my vote.” * Announcement forwarded by ACT for America: The California Federation of Republican Women, Southern Division, has an event planned for Sept. 5 in Temecula that may be of interest to chapter members. Dr. Bill Warner, who spoke to the Mission Viejo chapter of ACT for America in July, will be the morning speaker and Bill Whittle, host of the Afterburner show will speak in the afternoon. Call (818) 610-1275 or email sdreservations@cfrw.org for information. *** Please support Operation Keep Warm. Its local organizer is Cecelia, whose request was forwarded to this blog: “It's that time of year where I start collecting clothing for men, women, and children. The past three years since I started collecting have been absolutely amazing. My goal the first year was to collect 25 coats. That amount was doubled. Due to all your wonderful support, last year’s donations almost didn't fit in my SUV. That's definitely a good thing! “This year I will be taking the items, again, to The Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles. This is a wonderful organization that houses families as well as singles. There is actually a school bus that pulls up to the Mission to take the kids off for their school day. Talk about a sobering experience. “The Mission is so grateful for donations. I do ask that the items you donate not require major repairs and be clean. “My absolute, cut-off day for collections is November 1st. If you need me to pick them up from you, just email or call. One last item. I do not have a non-profit status and therefore cannot give you a receipt. Also, I do not accept the receipt from the Mission. These are your donations and not mine - I'm merely the conduit to get them up there. “Thank you and God Bless. Cecelia” ( email cecelia@ceceliaburks.com ) *** Among the many faces in Mission Viejo, good-hearted people are everywhere. The city has an abundance of those who work hard and care for others. By contrast, there’s Mission Viejo’s dark side -- the political backers surrounding Frank Ury and Wendy Bucknum. During the past two years, their supporters have given a fortune to pay for hit pieces and fill mailboxes with vicious attacks against their opponents as well as other Mission Viejo residents. Everyone can be assured that the attacks are coming in this November’s city election. Their target will be Cathy Schlicht, who often votes in the 4-1 minority. Ury and Bucknum’s attack dogs include ex-council members Sherri Butterfield and Susan Withrow, who were thrown out of office 10 years ago. The council majority evidently cannot stand to have even one person (on the council, in the audience or in the city) speak up in opposition.

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