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Leader Serves the People Thank you, Assemblyman Chris Norby. A result of the recent redistricting is our loss of a true champion of the people. Chris Norby. Assemblyman Chris Norby will go down in California history for spearheading the demise of our 425 redevelopment agencies. Thank you, Chris, for the good fight. You are going down as a winner in terms of protecting the small guy in our state and beyond. Having watched numerous Assembly and Senate members serving in CA, few have achieved such a remarkable achievement. Back in 1993/94 Assemblyman Philip Eisenberg championed a partial fix (AB 1290) to our Housing and Community development redevelopment law. In 2006, after we jointly testified at a joint hearing in San Diego, SD Senator Christine Kehoe heard our plea and championed SB 1206 in her effort to better define the much-abused redevelopment criteria where we tried to create a standard yardstick for all of the CA agencies. This past year Chris lobbied Gov. Brown to reject the recent legislation that was heavily promoted by special interests in our state. In 2006, while serving on the County Board of Supervisors, Chris championed approval of Measure A stopping the county from abusing their eminent domain police powers. It passed with a 76% approval. Proclamations issued to local citizens presented at city council meetings by members of staff, while probably deserved, do not rise to the level of Chris Norby's fight to protect the private property rights of thousands of California homeowners, many of whom he never met regardless of political party. Chris did not have a litmus test for those we defended. To be truthful, the majority of eminent domain and redevelopment agency victims are the poor and the minority, most of which are Democrats. I watched as Chris lobbied long and hard to get the deciding vote last year from a fellow Republican to shut down these leaches lined up at our public troths as the "special interest" share of local tax increment took much needed funding away from school, police and fire services. One of our memorable joint efforts with Chris was in 2006 protesting a $400-million redevelopment project in Hollywood at Highland and Vine Streets where Democrat Bob Blue's family luggage store was being taken by the CRA/LA under their police power. Our protest, covered by the media, led to a compromise by the city in which Bob prevailed. Surrounding Bernard Luggage is now a W hotel and apartments. During Chris's multiple MORR/CURE conferences he had numerous speakers presenting information on this complex, yet for many, painful topic. He created the RUG, acronym for his booklet entitled "Redevelopment: The Unknown Government" in which over 75,000 were printed and distributed during 9 updated editions. Some of his guest MORR/CURE conference speakers over the past 15 years included representatives of both political parties, several property rights attorneys and victims. Without listing them all: Representative Maxine Waters, Assemblyman Scott Wildman, Assemblyman Carl Washington, Assemblywoman Debra Bowen, Assemblyman Bernie Richter (now deceased), Joel Fox (HJTA president), Michael Dardia (Public Policy Institute author), Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith, Assemblyman Tom McClintock, Councilman Mike Morgan, Senator Cathie Wright, Senator Ray Haynes Senator Hayden, Robert Poole (president Reason Foundation), David Gold (CEO 99 only stores), Root Shock author Mindy Fullilove, Register editorial writer Steve Greenhut, Dan Walters Sacramento Bee columnist, Philip Klein producer of the movie "Begging for Billionaires" to numerous attorneys from the Institute for Justice in D.C. to our local legal experts and numerous city council members. Thank you Assemblyman Chris. I hope you continue serving on our Board of the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights. Your knowledge and energy are too valuable to set aside. |
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City Hall’s Fuzzy Math Example of fuzzy math: A worker estimates he’ll make $60,000 this year while facing $85,000 in expenses. Before the end of the year, he discovers he’ll make $70,000. What should he do with his budget surplus? There’s no surplus. However, this is the type of nonsense promoted by City Hall and published in the OC Register. On Sept. 21, the OC Register stated Mission Viejo had a “million dollar surplus” for the year. Here’s the link to the article by Chris Boucly: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-372372-revenue-million.html The so-called surplus reported in OCR resulted from city officials underestimating revenues by $1.8 million. Adding to the confusion, they began talking about how to spend the surplus. The idea of spending nonexistent money was still being perpetuated by OCR on Oct. 25: http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-375680-ury-park.html On Nov. 2, City Hall admitted Mission Viejo spent $5.3 million more than it took in during fiscal year 2010-2011. http://missionviejodispatch.com/budget/5-3-million-mvs-fifth-consecutive-deficit/ It was the city’s fifth consecutive year of deficit spending, and reserves are down by 50 percent from three years ago. The city has no surplus of money and refuses to live within its means. City officials are taking funds from reserves to make ends meet. |
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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. Concert at Soka, The Romeros with Massimo Paris, Sat., Dec. 1, 8:00 p.m., Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu Sawdust Winter Fantasy, Dec. 1-2 and 8-9, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., artwork, entertainment, classes and demonstrations, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030, http://www.sadustartfestival.org Christmas Tree Luncheon, Sat., Dec. 1, Assistance League of Saddleback Valley, silent auction and raffle at 10:30 a.m., lunch and program at noon, Balboa Bay Club and Resort, 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, (949) 459-8988. Santa’s arrival and the boat parade, Lake Mission Viejo, Sat., Dec. 8, lake members and guests. Call (949) 770-1313, ext. 200, http://www.lakemissionviejo.org Daily Guided Tours at the Mission during the week, Monday through Friday, 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. No advance reservation required, but a minimum group size is needed to proceed, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-1300, http://www.missionsjc.com/ Holiday Ice Rink in Spectrum. Outdoor rink is open daily, skating lessons are available. Check the website for schedule. Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, (949) 748-8280, http://www.skatespectrum.com |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Tues., Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. “if necessary.” District office, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ Capistrano Unified School District invites parents and community members to a “Conversation with the Superintendent” on Wed., Nov. 28, 7:00 p.m., Aliso Niguel High School Theater, 28000 Wolverine Way, Aliso Niguel; the Board of Trustees will meet on Mon., Dec. 10, 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 Nixon Library, Sun., Dec. 2, Yorba Linda Senior Chorus, Doors open at 1:15 pm, and concerts begin at 2:00 pm unless otherwise noted. Schedule is subject to change. Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1161, http://nixonfoundation.org/concerts/ Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Dec. 4, 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 Family Action PAC Christmas Luncheon, Tues., Dec. 4, noon to 2:00 p.m., monthly luncheons third Thursday of every month, Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, (949) 955-1191, http://www.familyactionpac.com Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., Dec. 7, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Dec. 14, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Community Relations on Wed., Dec. 12, 9:00 a.m.; Engineering and Operations on Mon., Dec. 17, 9:00 a.m.; Finance and I.T. on Wed., Dec. 19, 9:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Dec. 17. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5:00 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., Dec. 18, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Dec. 20, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com/ Trees, Trains and Traditions exhibit at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, open now through Dec. 31, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://www.nixonfoundation.org Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Jan. 17, 7:00 p.m. No general meeting in December. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in December, July and August) 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 The OC Registrar of Voters is nearly finished counting ballots from the Nov. 6 election. According to the RoV website, 100 ballots are uncounted as of this writing. Mission Viejo council incumbents Frank Ury and Cathy Schlicht were reelected to the two open seats, and the order among the six council candidates never changed throughout two weeks of counting. The RoV has until Dec. 4 to certify results, with unofficial tallies at:
*** Tea Party Patriot Carla Bonney forwarded a link, adding, “For those of you who want to be kept up to date on Smart Meters, here is the latest,” http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9229384/Researcher_releases_smart_meter_hacking_tool?taxonomyId=82&pageNumber=2 *** Tea Party Patriot Kris Hauter writes, “Can we start the Obamacare All or Nothing Movement? All judges, congressmen, senators the U.S. president and all their families shall be required to be under Obamacare and must pay for it personally from their salaries. No opt outs or exceptions. Also no opt outs for unions or union leaders. We need a Skin in the Game Movement for a lot of things. E.g., don’t vote unless you pay taxes, no law that Congress, executive branch or any other government employee can opt out of, no special retirement system for government aside from good ol’ Social Security and a 401(k). They need to start living like the rest of us instead of creating a ruling royalty class that is apart from or above the rest of us. We are not peasants or subjects. That’s why we broke from England in the first place.” *** The OC Register is trying to stay alive with new ideas. Missing is an old idea, coverage of communities. OCR recently found a new reporter to cover Mission Viejo – the third in three years. OCR has not had a real news reporter in Mission Viejo since Lindsey Baguio was banished for revealing the corruption in city hall. She wrote about Easelgate and exposed the lies of city employee Keith Rattay. Her investigative skills resulted in her swift reassignment to Laguna Niguel after city manager Dennis Wilberg faced off with OCR administrators. OCR reporters since then have chosen survival by penning only city hall approved copy or paraphrasing material written by city staffers. City administrators censor local stories, and only the real blogs – MissionViejoCA.org and MissionViejoDispatch.com – reject the drivel hatched by city employees. *** Council loser Wendy Bucknum stood at the public microphone during the Nov. 19 council meeting, thanking her “thousands” of volunteers and claiming her campaign was a model for young people. Her special interest money and nasty hit pieces were shameful, even in politics. Voters who learned Bucknum is a professional housing lobbyist dropped her like a hot potato. *** Steve Martel of ACT for America invites everyone to attend an event at the University of California Irvine in support of free speech on campuses. “Freedom of Speech vs. Blasphemy in Islam” will be presented on Mon., Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m., Pacific Ballroom D, in the Student Center at UC Irvine. The panel discussion will feature Robert Spencer, Nonie Darwish, Jamie Glazov and Raymond Ibrahim. |
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