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Hearings on Smart Meters The California Public Utilities Commission will have two hearings this month in Southern California regarding Smart Meters: “Smart Meter Opt-Out Phase 2.” The hearings will be held on Mon., Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m., Junipero Serra State Office Building, 320 West 4th St., Los Angeles, and Tues., Dec. 18, 6:00 p.m., San Clemente Community Center, Ole Hanson Fireside Room, 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente. These hearings are rare opportunities for citizens to have a voice and express their concerns directly to the CPUC. Meeting agenda issues: 1. Raise the Opt-Out Fees: Southern California Edison wants an outrageous initial Opt-Out fee of $98 plus $24 per month (discounted 20% for CARE) claiming the Opt-Out program will cost a staggering $21 million for the next few years. Are these valid costs? 2. Impose an Additional Opt-Out "Exit" Fee: Since 2008, all customers have paid 1.6% of their monthly bills towards the Smart Meter program, which includes the cost of installing a Smart Meter. SCE would like to charge this fee again. 3. Validity of Opt-Out Fees: SCE wants to pass the entire cost of the Opt-Out program directly on to those that will use it - the Opt-Out customers. Thus, an Opt-Out customer pays for two billing systems: a Smart Meter AND an Opt-Out. How many meters and billing systems should a customer have to pay for? 4. Vary Fees Based on Meter Type: The CPUC is considering imposing different Opt-Out fees based on the type of electric meter chosen. Remember, their goal is to have 100% Smart Meters. Thus, those customers keeping their old "analog" meters could potentially pay higher fees than those who allow a Trojan Horse Replacement "Analog" Meter to be installed. 5. Community Opt-Outs: How do entire communities or local governments Opt-Out of the Smart Meter program? Or perhaps the CPUC should ask why these controversial Smart Meters were deployed without customer consent in the first place. 6. Smart Meter Harassment: Their goal is to have 100% compliance with the Smart Meter program, at any cost. Will they continue harassment of customers with threats of price increases and forced installations until everyone complies? 7. For more information, see the California Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, Stop Smart Meters and the Center for Electrosmog Prevention websites. Anyone who is unable to attend these hearings may submit written comments to the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at the address below. Please refer to the application filing number, A.11-03-014 et al, when writing. Request a response to receive one; otherwise no response will be sent. Comments will become part of the formal file for public comment in these proceedings. The Public Advisor’s Office will circulate comments to the five Commissioners, the ALJ, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), and to CPUC staff assigned to this proceeding. Citizens may also write to the CPUC for advice on how to participate in this proceeding or to receive further notices regarding the date, time, and place of any future hearing in this proceeding: The Public Advisor E-Mail: Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov Note the hearings are the week before Christmas. Is the scheduling not suspect with so many activities during the same week for those celebrating Christmas? An organization of concerned citizens in Orange County can be reached at Stop OC Smart Meters, P.O. Box 685, Tustin, CA 92781 |
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ACT for America The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Dec. 10, at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. Colonel Jon Gold, U.S. Army, Retired, a former intelligence officer, will share his insights: “What I learned in Bosnia and Kosovo.” Imagine living in a horrifying time when good does not triumph over evil. Imagine a frightful place where women are property, children are brainwashed and men murder unquestioningly. Envision watching a backward, barbaric tribe attacking its neighbors, killing and spreading a reign of terror over all it touches, vowing to wipe out all other tribes--to the last man, woman and child. Col. Gold is a 30-year-career Intelligence Officer. In the mid-1990s he was the Chief Military Intelligence Officer assigned to the United Nations Pre-Deployment Forces (UNPREDEP) in former Yugoslavia. While focused on the security of American and UN forces in the region, he witnessed firsthand the Islamists' asymmetric war-fighting strategies and tactics. A $5 donation is appreciated to help cover meeting costs. The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, (Sycamore B Room), Mission Viejo. Sign up for ACT for America chapter announcements at www.act4oc.org |
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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. Crossline’s Christmas Festival, Fri., Dec. 14, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., sledding on real snow, entertainment, refreshments, Santa, Crossline Church, 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, (949) 916-0250, http://www.crosslinechurch.com Poiema Christmas Show (in the spirit of Cirque Noel), Mount of Olives Church, Fri., Dec. 14, 7:00 p.m., Sat., Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 16, 2:00 p.m., 24772 Chrisanta Drive, (949) 837-7467, Mission Viejo, http://www.moochurch.org/events.aspx?parentnavigationid=6090 Dana Point Boat Parade, Fri., Dec. 14, and Sat., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., photos with Santa, Thurs., Dec. 13, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Dana Point Harbor, (949) 923-2255, http://www.danapointharbor.com/Holiday.html Concert at Soka, All-American Boys Chorus, ”The Sounds of Christmas,” on Sun., Dec. 16, 4:00 p.m., Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu 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/ Encore Dinner Theatre, “A Song for Christmas,” through Dec. 30, 690 El Camino Real, Tustin (657) 210-3200, http://www.EncoreDinnerTheatre.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 The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Dec. 10. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m, Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Capistrano Unified School District 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/ Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Dec. 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 on Tues., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., Annual Organizational Meeting. District office, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ 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 Santa Margarita Water District meetings: 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 Concert at the Nixon Library, Sun., Dec. 16, Annual Kid Singers Christmas Concert. 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/ 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 From Orly Taitz’s press release, “CA Supreme Court to Rule on Obama Eligibility,” sent on Dec. 5: “Breaking news! Supreme Court of CA to rule whether Obama should be declared illegitimate for the U.S. Presidency due to his use of forged IDs and a fraudulently obtained CT Social Security number. Loss of 55 CA electoral votes will certainly mean new elections in the U.S. After originally refusing to hear the case under the original jurisdiction, Supreme Court of California was persuaded by Attorney and Candidate for the U.S. Senate Dr. Orly Taitz to take on a case Noonan, Judd, MacLaren, Taitz v Bowen under the provisions of the California Constitution, which allow Supreme Court of California to hear special cases under the Original Jurisdiction. To read the rest of the press release, click here *** Mission Viejo activist Bruce emailed a reaction to the press release, “Considering all the false starts on the Obama birth challenge, I'm not going to hold my breath, but the article indicates a serious intent to get the Obama birth issue before the CA Supreme Court or, failing that, to the SCOTUS. We can hope for the best (Obama prosecuted and kicked out), but we should prepare for the worst (another four years of ‘fundamental transformation’ to socialism or communism).” *** Those who watched the Dec. 3 council meeting were able to observe the usual self-serving behavior of the council majority. At stake was which of the egomaniacs would next have the titles of mayor and mayor pro tem. Vying for the titles were Rhonda Reardon, Trish Kelley and Dave Leckness. If the titles were rotated, Cathy Schlicht’s turn is overdue. She was first elected in 2008, and Reardon was elected in 2010. In November 2011, Reardon made the argument that the titles should be rotated. A month later, Ury became mayor again, and Reardon – not Schlicht – became mayor pro tem. On Dec. 3, Schlicht was again bypassed. After Reardon received a 5-0 vote as mayor, she nominated Trish Kelley as mayor pro tem. Is anyone paying attention? *** The pre-cooked portion of the nominating process went very quickly. No one else would second the nomination of Kelley for mayor pro tem, so Kelley seconded her own nomination. Jumping in next was Dave Leckness, saying, “I’d like to throw my foot in the ring.” Since Leckness usually throws his foot into his mouth, he had to be reminded he was throwing his hat into the ring. Anyone who is not already convinced the council majority members are disgusting should go to *** Was Frank Ury campaigning from a church pulpit when he was running for reelection to the city council? Here’s a report from a church member: “Can you top this? Frank Ury was at a Mission Viejo church during his campaign, giving the readings from the pulpit during the service. I think he belongs to a church in Rancho Santa Margarita (where his children attend a private school and his wife works in the school office). He has not been back since his reelection. That says it all, but he had an enabler in the Mission Viejo church or he couldn’t have pulled it off.” |
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