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PALs Update Dear PALs, Thanks to all of you who called and/or emailed Senators, and supported our efforts in Sacramento the last two weeks. AB 5 did not even make it to the Senate floor for a vote. There was a tremendous onslaught of opposition to this bill that would have weakened the current teacher evaluation system in our state at a time when student achievement in California is ranked 47th in the nation. It was truly inspiring to experience so many amazing organizations as well as concerned parents and teachers, regardless of political viewpoints, come together in the best interest of students. We were up against a giant political and financial force in California, CTA (California Teachers Association). Despite this political entity pushing hard to pass AB 5, YOU and the over 50 organizations (including: EdVoice; PTA; Education Trust West; LAUSD; Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Democrats for Education Reform; United Way of LA; and StudentsFirst) and concerned citizens never gave up fighting for our students. The directors of Parents Advocate League had many concerns with AB 5 as stated in previous emails. Our biggest concern is that under AB 5 teachers would not be evaluated annually with a percentage of the evaluation attached to student academic growth. Our children need a system where all teachers, regardless of tenure or lifetime credentials, should be evaluated every year to ensure teachers are effective in the classroom. Students deserve a system that recognizes excellent teachers and provides support for struggling teachers. Parents Advocate League is looking forward to supporting legislation that provides annual and meaningful teacher and principal evaluations. Our children deserve a much improved public education system in our state. This will not be accomplished with the current state of public education in California. Significant change needs to happen for students so not one more child has a wasted school year. I know many of you had to get out of your comfort zone to make calls or write emails. I cannot thank you enough. This bill would have quietly passed if it was not for your efforts. I hope you know it was worth it, and YOU helped every publicly educated student in California, regardless of zip code, have a better chance at academic success. I know I can count on you in the future to continue these efforts for all students. Please read the email below specifically to PALs from Shane McLoud, Regional Outreach Manager with StudentsFirst, thanking YOU for stepping up for students. All the best, Dear PALs, I wanted you to know that the author of AB 5 has withdrawn the bill, releasing a statement Thursday night. It simply didn't have enough votes to pass, nor enough votes to come up for a vote on the Senate floor. How did this happen? From people like you who called, emailed, sent letters, visited the legislators’ offices, wrote letters to the editors in the local newspapers, and encouraged your friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family members to rise up and oppose AB 5. This is not only a victory for students, it's a victory for grass roots organizing efforts, showing how powerful a movement can be if enough people unite together. There were just enough Senators who started asking questions in the hearings and amongst themselves (thanks to the efforts of the opposition), indicating serious reservations about a new teacher evaluation bill that was actually a step backwards. We heard from many Senators and their staff that they were bombarded with emails, calls, and visits against AB 5. This is what made the difference, and in the end, many Senators didn't want to be associated with something that the education community opposed so strongly. So, what's next: StudentsFirst and the broad coalition of other education and community based organizations will continue to work together, getting input from people like you, and working toward creating a strong teacher and principal evaluation for next year. I want to personally thank every Parents Advocate League member who picked up the phone, emailed, wrote letters, visited their legislator, and attended the two hearings in the past week. Each of these actions helped defeat AB 5, and sent a message to the legislature that the interests of the students are more important than any other interest. I would like to personally invite PALs to also join our organization, StudentsFirst. Together, we can make a difference for students. Become a Member of StudentsFirst |
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ACT for America On Mon., Sept. 10, the Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a 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. The event will take place at the 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. Chapter leader Bruce Mayall writes, “Due to the anticipated record attendance at the Town Hall event on Monday evening (both sides of the Sycamore room have been reserved), we will need about six volunteers to help with admission activities and possibly some minor site preparations. If you would be willing to arrive about 5:30 p.m. and help, please send a response to me at ACT.local.MV@cox.net .” Jamie Glazov, editor, Frontpagemag.com, will moderate the discussion between the audience and panelists. Is Sharia, Islamic law, a benign religious code or a grave threat to the American way of life? Discover what the experts say about this vital subject and participate in a lively question and answer session. The panel will discuss the relevance of Sharia's religious-political-legal codes for non-Muslims and their implications for America. Panelists include Nonie Darwish, Brad Dacus, Dwight Schultz, David Wood and Eric Allen Bell. Please RSVP and address any questions to ACT.local.MV@cox.net |
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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. Big Bucks Bingo, Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. early bird and 6:45 p.m. regular games, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge, Marguerite and La Paz, Mission Viejo, 949-830-3557. Ramblin' Rogues' Beginning Square Dance Class, registration dates are Sept. 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. Jazzfest & Taste of the Lake, Sat., Sept. 15, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Lake Mission Viejo. Featured musicians include Bettye LaVette, Slim Man, Brad Rambur and James Torme. Lake concerts 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 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 Old World Village Oktoberfest through Oct. 28, German bands, dancing, beer, German food, Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 895-8020, http://www.oldworld.ws Michaels, ongoing and new classes throughout September: sewing, painting and crafts, 25310 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 770-5001, http://locations.michaels.com/CA/MISSION-VIEJO/8513/index.html 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 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 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees 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/ 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 Concert at the Richard Nixon Library, Sun., Sept. 16, concert pianist Michael Sellers. 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/ 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 According to definitions by City Hall, the city’s “reserves” include money that is obligated for operating expenses. City Hall also uses the term “discretionary” to refer to the same funds – money that is encumbered, earmarked or already spent. When the city says it has $25 million in reserves, how much of it is NOT obligated or encumbered? The answer came during the Sept. 4 council meeting: approximately $800,000. City Manager Dennis Wilberg first denied the amount is less than a million dollars, but the city’s own figures indicate the total is approximately $800,000. *** The council conversation on Sept. 4 about the city’s financial status was as usual, bizarre. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht pointed to the city’s reserves of three years ago at $50 million. After showing the number is now down to $25 million, she said the treasury is “moving in the wrong direction.” Councilman Frank Ury jumped in, saying no, Mission Viejo is in fine shape. According to Ury, if it wanted to, the city could demonstrate its financial strength by paving the entire stretch of Marguerite Parkway. Schlicht responded, “Yes, but then it wouldn’t have money for anything else.” Ury said, “That’s why we’re not doing it.” That kind of logic doesn’t impress anyone. It might explain why Ury has had four different jobs in eight years. *** A revealing quote came from Councilman Dave Leckness after he attended a Republican club’s book-signing event for Michael Reagan in June. Leckness said during the June 18 council meeting that he attended the event, “expecting it would be about Ronald Reagan and not about a lot of Republican stuff.” Such is the comprehension of Leckness, who changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republicrat on April 27, 2011. He said he was pressured into switching to Republican, which might explain why he doesn’t understand why people would be talking about “Republican stuff” at a Republican meeting. Does Dave not know President Ronald Reagan was a Republican? *** Aegean Hills residents continue to be concerned about the number of homes in their HOA that have been converted to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The conversions have impacted schools to the point students are imported from other cities to prop up enrollment in Mission Viejo. Aegean Hills homeowners note it is difficult to maintain a sense of community with so many nursing home businesses occupying single-family homes. According to residents, one real estate agent targeted as many homeowners as possible, trying to get them to convert their homes or sell to assisted-care businesses. More than 100 such facilities have been set up in Aegean Hills, and the saturation negatively impacts the assisted-care facilities as well. *** Council candidate Ed Sachs sent an announcement last week, suggesting the city create a temporary dog park. City Hall has used the dog park issue as a political wedge, often pitting one group of residents against another, but never making any real progress toward building a dog park. City activists initiated the idea of a dog park at Barbadanes Park, and they have also promoted the concept of a temporary dog park. The 15-year debate about a dog park has outlived many dogs. City Hall’s stance has become ridiculous, raising the price to more than $1 million and then saying there’s no money for it. |
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