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City Hall Competes with Businesses Mission Viejo watchdogs believe a city should maintain local infrastructure and provide core public services such as police protection. Mission Viejo’s bloated City Hall has more than 150 employees. By comparison, Rancho Santa Margarita has fewer than 25 full-time employees. RSM’s population is approximately half of Mission Viejo’s. The city’s 150 salaries (numerous employees make more than $100,000 annually) are compounded by generous benefits and pensions. Unfunded liabilities for pensions and the retiree insurance program now exceed $11 million. Other negatives include increased competition with the public sector by city staffers. Such non-essential “free” services cost taxpayers and put businesses out of business. Examples of businesses the city has put out of business include those involved in tutoring, childcare and children’s activities, art and music lessons, entertainment, healthcare, fingerprinting, rental of meeting places, business space (cost of $5/hour for the Potacki Center), a government-subsidized farmers market across the street from Trader Joe’s and Ralphs, and much more. How did these examples become the business of government? As another example of government interfering with business, the decline of Saddleback Valley News was hastened by City Hall. Ten years ago, Warren Esterline was SVN’s editor – the last one to separate editorial from business interests of the paper. After Esterline retired, City Manager Dennis Wilberg applied pressure to SVN and OC Register administrators, ending investigative reporting and balanced coverage in Mission Viejo. Wilberg also gave SVN a list of his 40 pre-approved shills to provide “positive” opinions from residents. After an exchange of emails between Wilberg and SVN/OCR officials, letters to the editor ceased except for reprints about national issues published in OCR. City coverage is limited to puff pieces produced by City Hall, and the paper’s mainstay has become foreclosure notices. The happy talk from City Hall continues, aided and abetted by the very newspaper it is running aground. Last week, the council majority took a huge hit after attempting to hide millions of dollars in redevelopment money from the state. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht warned council majority members nearly a year ago that their acts to divert redevelopment money were likely illegal. As usual, the council majority ignored her warnings. Where were OCR’s reporters during the council’s special meeting on Dec. 21 after the state gave the city a deadline of five days to pay up? It wasn’t happy talk, so no one should expect to see it in SVN. The only mention by OCR’s Mission Viejo reporter was a cover-up, calling the meeting an “update on redevelopment.” |
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Council Holds Closed Session There were two Closed Session items during the Dec. 21 "Special Meeting" of the "Mission Viejo city council, the successor agency to the community development financing authority, and the housing authority." The first item, which is the subject of this post, related to anticipated litigation against the state Department of Finance. We've all seen the headlines. Governor Brown is trying to claw back... several billion dollars from these 400-plus agencies to plug part of the hole in our state budget. In question on Dec. 21 was a questionable transfer of $4.8 million to our newly formed housing authority from our redevelopment agency (formerly titled "Community Development Agency”). Those funds were given to a developer for a new housing project on Oso Parkway adjacent to the Mission Viejo Country Club called Watermark. As a result of the dissolution of these agencies council member Cathy Schlicht has repeatedly challenged the council majority and staff on this improper transfer since the first of this year. In the city attorney's report, based on the Closed Session meeting, and followed in Open Session, the vote not to initiate the litigation was 4-1 with outgoing mayor Frank Ury voting NO in protest. In my presentation I did ask staff when we would be cutting and mailing the $4.8 million check. We have five days to comply. One positive step taken by the council when this all began was to have Watermark give the city a Letter of Credit or similar secured document to backfill the same amount, should the state take this money, which they are now doing. At this early phase I cannot think of what reaction we might have from this developer. We've already granted a density bonus for the project. They might request reducing the number of affordable units. We will simply have to wait and negotiate if necessary. Mission Viejo resident Joe Holtzman commented on the above post: “The Redevelopment Agencies should be hammered shut. They were engaged in Reverse Robinhoodism. Steal from the poor and give to the wealthy. Chief benefactors were lawyers, bond sellers, fat cat developers, and lazy car dealers. Goodbye thieves!” Larry Gilbert responded: “Some inside baseball facts on the actual proceeds and expenses of our Mall redevelopment project, which began 6-9 MONTHS BEFORE council approval of the $41.1 million bonds. Beyond the $35 million to Simon Properties. $150,000 to Capo USD, $2,369,500 for (1st year) debt service, $1,987,473 to pay semi-annual on Bonds, $437,671 to issue the Bonds, $692,797 "recurring Bond related admin., $115,769 for a "LC", $250,400 Bond Underwriting, $36,937 Title Ins., and $62,453 contingency. As you can see there are multiple groups who line up at the public trough whenever they smell RDA.” |
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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. “Timeless Melodies: Academy Awards: The Best Songs 1934-1959,” Thurs., Dec. 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600, http://www.bowers.org/ Encore Dinner Theatre, “A Song for Christmas,” through Dec. 30. Celebrate New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 with dinner, music, party favors and entertainment, 690 El Camino Real, Tustin (657) 210-3200, http://www.EncoreDinnerTheatre.com Lemondrop New Year’s Eve Party, Mon., Dec. 31, 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Irvine Marriott ballroom, dinner and entertainment, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, (949) 378-6600, http://www.lemondropclub.com/ “The Science of Gingerbread” exhibit, open now through Jan. 3. “Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology,” interactive exhibit, open now through April 21, Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 542-2823, http://www.discoverycube.org 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 Concert at Soka, The Takacs Quartet featuring pianist Joyce Yang on Wed., Jan. 16, 8:00 p.m., Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two,” Jan. 8 through Feb. 3, The Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Concert at the Nixon Library, Sun., Dec. 30, Triada Guitar Trio. 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/ Trees, Trains and Traditions exhibit at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, open now through Mon., Dec. 31, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://www.nixonfoundation.org Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Mon., Jan. 7, 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., Jan. 8, 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 Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., Jan. 11, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Jan. 18, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors meeting on Wed., Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Jan. 14. 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. Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees Workshop on School Choice and Transfers (open to public) on Tues., Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m., and Regular Board Meeting (third Tuesday due to winter recess through Jan. 4), 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ 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 Save the date – ACT for America will hold a chapter meeting on Mon., Jan. 14. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., and the meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. Jesse Petrilla of Rancho Santa Margarita will present “The Afghanistan Diaries,” revealing what’s really going on in the war with the Taliban. Jesse serves on the Rancho city council, and he recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan as a member of the California Army National Guard. ACT for America meets at the Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. *** The city made three attempts at repaving a section of Olympiad Road in 2010. With the first two tries, chunks of asphalt came loose soon after the repaving was finished. The third attempt resulted in such a rough surface motorists were concerned about damage to tires. A city official stated that the road would “smooth out with time.” After two years, the road is rough, rippled and deteriorating. Did anyone believe time and traffic would make the road better? *** Another myth from city hall: “The construction on Crown Valley Parkway is finished.” This came from City Manager Dennis Wilberg’s December Newsletter – 11 pages of drivel. As an aside, how many city employees does it take to write an 11-page newsletter? Fact check – construction on Crown Valley is NOT finished. As of this writing, lanes are still closed, concrete railings are still up, and cones are all around the construction area. *** Post from city watchdog Larry Gilbert: “I knew something was wrong when three of us were deputized to administer the Oath of office to Mission Viejo city council member Cathy Schlicht on December 3rd.” A paragraph from the Oath: “And I further swear (or affirm) that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that now advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means; that within the five years immediately preceding the taking of this oath (or affirmation) I have not been a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise that advocated the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means..." Turns out, Larry discovered the paragraph was deemed unconstitutional in 1967. How the city of Mission Viejo dig up the outdated, outlawed material, and is it just a coincidence it showed up in the Oath that was required of Councilwoman Schlicht? Conclusion from Larry’s post: “I have learned that the Mission Viejo City Clerk may have relied on the (contracted) City Attorney for including this unconstitutional paragraph. Perhaps one of them will respond now that I've done my due diligence in this matter. They, along with the city council and city manager are each receiving copies of this report. At this time I have not decided if I shall take any further action.” |
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