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City Circus Update During a countywide meeting last week, Tea Partiers emphasized the importance of supporting Prop 32 in the November election. California’s unions are worried about Prop 32, and they’re spending millions of dollars to oppose it. Prop 32 addresses special interests' control of government and returns power to the voters by limiting both corporate and union political giving. Here is what it does:
Two weeks ago, the California Teachers Association/Issues PAC added $7.5 million to campaign against Prop 32. The California Labor Federation added $250,000. More than $18 million has been raised to oppose Prop 32. Union tactics in local elections include smear campaigns. Costa Mesa Councilman Jim Righeimer, who has stood up to unions in his city’s negotiations, was targeted on Aug. 23. This blog published a report from a Costa Mesa resident, describing a union thug’s false report in a 911 call that Righeimer had staggered out of a bar and was driving erratically, http://www.missionviejoca.org/html/article130.html In the Capo school district, the teachers’ union backed the recall of two reform-minded trustees and seated a majority of union supporters on the school board in the November 2010 election. The district went from a balanced budget at the time of the election to its current $50-million deficit. Services and programs have been slashed, and students face the prospect of 15 furlough days after the union-backed majority sold out during labor negotiations. During the successful 2010 recall election in Mission Viejo, the OC deputies union kicked in more than $125,000 when it tried to keep a disturbed councilman in office. Lance MacLean lost his job at UCI after attempting to strangle a co-worker, and he covered up his history of domestic violence. By the eve of the election, the only campaign signs still standing were against the recall. Union signs were everywhere on the streets and public property – and notably in the yard of Wendy Bucknum. Not many Republicans want a union sign in their yard, but Bucknum is no ordinary Republican. She also was a leader in a smear campaign against Republicans who received the OC GOP endorsement in the November 2010 city election. Bucknum, who works as a lobbyist, is a candidate for Mission Viejo City Council in the November election. She has the endorsement of some Republican elected officials who apparently aren’t paying attention. Voters will have the opportunity in November to support Prop 32 and oppose candidates who aid and abet unions. |
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Java or Kool-Aid? Fact checking. We all see it. The instant scrutiny after every political speech is what we can expect from both print and broadcast media in the 24-hour news cycle. That being said, I received a copy of an email sent out by a resident of the Casta del Sol gated community in Mission Viejo that had some misleading information. That Newsletter clearly expressed support for Mayor Frank Ury with a lessor acknowledgment to the other members of our council. Frank is up for re-election in November. After receiving a copy from a friend who lives in this community, I contacted the author and shared my city documents which back up my fact checking of his report. His response to my request for a clarification was that he didn't want to get political. He did offer to receive my data and possibly consider issuing an update. That data in now in our USPO mailbox. In his email the author describes the completion of our Marguerite Tennis Resort where we added one new court, new lighting and rebuilt the clubhouse. He wrote: "As the Tennis and Aquatic Center project neared completion, the city was notified that construction costs would come in under budget. Upon receiving this great news, Frank Ury, as President of our city council …” etc. Let's start the fact checking. The project is complete. I am sending him Our Agenda Report for the Marguerite Tennis Center Renovation Project (CIP 501) dated 9/6/2011. In the fiscal analysis it states: "The approved budget is $3,700,050." I am also providing The Budget Summary-CIP 501 dated April 16, 2012, and a more recent copy dated June 4, 2012, which reports $5,299,130.11 as the "Total Expenses/Encumbrances" for this project. While the author writes the "construction" costs, that is not the "total project cost," such as the $556,126.03 paid to RJM Design Group. For starters his emailed Newsletter was dated August 23, 2012. If you are going to be a reporter or blogger, my suggestion is simple. "Trust, but verify" what you are given. Simply go to our city website where all of my facts were provided. The project was COMPLETED when his report was issued. As an aside, this is not the Tennis and Aquatic Center project. The tennis center just opened with a formal Grand Opening in September. Folks. This Mission Viejo project is 50% OVER budget. It is NOT under budget .Sadly I do not have the email addresses of those who received his misleading Morning Cup of Java newsletter. |
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School Update Mission Viejo PALs (Parents Advocate League) leader Julie Collier has been raising awareness about the negative impacts of AB 5. If passed, it would change the way public school teachers are evaluated. On Aug. 31, AB 5 was withdrawn, causing great disappointment for teachers unions. Hillel Aron’s Aug. 31 article, “LA School Report,” describes the action: “After much-last minute scrambling, Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes decided to withdraw AB 5, the controversial bill to overhaul how public school teachers are evaluated in California. Fuentes (pictured) issued a statement Thursday evening, reading in part: ‘I could not in good conscious [sic] allow the proposed amendments to be voted on without a full public hearing… I believe this issue is too important to be decided at the last minute and in the dark of night.’ Read his full statement here. Read the press release, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes statement on A.B. 5 withdrawal From Julie’s update last week before the bill was withdrawn. Dear PALs, I returned from Sacramento last night after spending a total of 6 days over the last two weeks fighting for all students of California in opposition to AB 5. I took time away from my own children in the last weeks of summer because I strongly believe this bill will weaken California's already weak public education system. If you think you are at a school that is safe, please be advised, if AB 5 passes ALL publicly educated students in California, regardless of your zip code, will feel the negative effects of this bill. While in Sacramento, I joined forces with other concerned parents as well as several education reform groups that are in opposition to AB5. The only group that supports AB 5 is the California Teachers Association (the teachers' union) and State Superintendent Torlakson. There have been opinion pieces opposing AB 5 in all the major newspapers including LA Times, San Diego Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, and The Wall Street Journal. Unfortunately, nothing has been printed by OC Register regarding this issue. AB 5 is going to the Rules Committee and potentially to the Senate Floor for a final vote by Friday [Aug. 31]. Please take time to call the Senators listed below and ask them to vote NO on AB 5. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same, especially if you know people in Burbank/Glendale (Sen. Liu), Palo Alto/Silicon Valley (Sen. Simitian), Covina/Duarte (Sen. Hernandez), and San Diego (Sen. Vargas). Many parents and education reform groups in California see AB 5 as protecting under-performing teachers at the expense of OUR CHILDREN. It is a bait and switch piece of legislation that pretends to have the best interest of students. In fact, it is clear to parents and countless education groups that have joined force to oppose AB 5 that the only interest being protected in AB 5 is CTA. AB 5 does not ensure that its evaluation system will be consistent across districts. Instead, AB 5 requires each district to collectively bargain the amount of student growth taken into account. This leads to greater inconsistencies throughout our state at a time when we are already ranked 47th in achievement in the United States. Our children need a teacher evaluation system where ALL teachers, regardless of tenure, are evaluated EVERY YEAR to ensure that they are effective in the classroom. Parents expect tough decisions to be made in the very best interest of ALL students, regardless of zip code. If you agree, please take time to contact the Senators listed below NOW. Let them know you are a parent and voter that opposes AB 5. The only good news about AB 5 is that it seems to have woken up sleeping parents to what is wrong with public education in California. Parents, like you, finally understand that you have a voice and you are willing to make a choice this November and the Novembers to come. As our Senators consider AB 5, they need to be keenly aware that parents across this state are watching each and every one of them and taking note of who casts student-focused votes. Parents see through the facade of AB 5. Parents know that when Senators vote yes for AB 5 they are voting for a less effective public school system in our state that will potentially risk the academic needs of all publicly educated students in California. |
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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. First Thursday Art Walk, Laguna Beach, Thurs., Sept. 6, 6:00 p.m., member galleries throughout Laguna Beach and the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive at North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://firstthursdaysartwalk.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. Moore’s Sewing Center, Diamond Club meets at 10:00 a.m., Fri., Sept. 7; visit the website for classes this month, 25390 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 580-2520, http://www.moores-sew.com/class-calendar-mission-viejo.html 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 Doheny Days Music Festival, Sat.-Sun., Sept. 8-9, Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, (949) 360-7300, http://www.dohenydays.com Nestor Torres Concerts at Soka University: Jazz Monsters Series on Fri., Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Cuban Spirit on Sat., Sept. 22, 8:00 p.m.; Classical favorites with Aliso Niguel High School on Sat., Sept. 29, 8:00 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://soka.reachlocal.com/?scid=2695430&kw=19071058&pub_cr_id=16539318546 Festival of Children through Sept. 30, South Coast Plaza, activities and events, back-to-school fashion show, skateboard event, puppet shows and amazing sculptures built from cans, (877) 492-5437, http://www.festivalofchildren.org Michaels, ongoing and new classes throughout September: sewing, painting and crafts, 25310 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 770-5001 Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, ongoing and new classes this week, 26672 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch, (949) 588-7420, http://joann.shoplocal.com/joannsalesflyer/Default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-99845&siteid=228&storeID=2412281 |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees special board meeting on Tues., Sept. 4. Regular meetings on Mon., Sept. 10, and Mon., Sept. 24, 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/ Concert at the Richard Nixon Library, Sun., Sept. 9, Soprano Adriana Morrison and Concert Pianist Rob Woyshner. 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/ Meet Mike Gallager at the Nixon Presidential Library, Mon., Sept. 10, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. His presentation 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 Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America, Mon., Sept. 10, town hall on the topic of Sharia, Islamic Law, and the U.S. Constitution. Community members are invited to interact with a panel of experts, Norman P. Community Center, 24932 Veteran’s Way, Sycamore B Room, Mission Viejo. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend is $10. 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. South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Sept. 24. 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., 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/ |
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The Buzz When the state billed Mission Viejo in July for $1.2 million of “redevelopment money it had not paid,” City Manager Dennis Wilberg said it will force the city to reduce services ( http://www.missionviejoca.org/html/buzz29.html ). Is more bad news in the works? *** Mission Viejo residents felt the earthquakes last week in Brawley and Yorba Linda. To get information quickly, go to http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqscanv/ *** Tea Party Patriot Erin Ryan thanks California Tea Partiers who helped defeat AB 2179, which would have authorized the Department of Fish and Game to impose administrative penalties of up to $15,000 for code violations. Erin writes, “This Fish & Game bill would have crushed our farmers and ranchers. It was very much expected to pass. Tonight [Aug. 30] it FAILED 23-11 and because of that margin it isn’t expected to come back up again tomorrow. Many thanks to all of you around the state who pressed your representatives. From all of us in Northern California WE THANK YOU!” The legislation would have given Fish and Game far-reaching powers when rural America is struggling and the goal posts are moved at every turn. http://supportruralamerica.com/ *** Gov. Mike Huckabee, "If we want to keep our nation's secrets a 'SECRET' then we should store them where President Obama stores his college transcripts and birth certificate." *** A teachers’ union supporter in the Capo school district said CUSD teachers should prepare to strike if Gov. Brown’s tax initiative on the November ballot doesn’t pass. Of course, it’s “for the children.” *** 2016 The Movie – Obama’s America by Dinesh D’Souza is showing in Southern California theaters. From the website: 2016 Obama's America takes audiences on a gripping visual journey into the heart of the world’s most powerful office to reveal the struggle of whether one man's past will redefine America over the next four years. The film examines the question, "If Obama wins a second term, where will we be in 2016?" http://2016themovie.com/ Look for the movie at the following theaters: Edwards Alhambra Renassiance Stad. 14 – Alhambra, CA |
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