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I-5/Ortega Project Update On Jan. 10 I attended a public meeting on the I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project that was held at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. David Richardson, Caltrans Public Information Officer for the $86,214,000 project, presented a slideshow overview for the 200 residents and business owners that filled St. Margaret's Sillers Hall. Dave pointed out many challenges of this pending project such as having a small footprint to work with to accomplish this improvement. Among the many questions he was asked, during 90 non-stop minutes, was the name of the General Contractor, which is Flat Iron. As of today they do not have a schedule from this vendor. Just to cite one challenge Dave pointed out that you cannot pour concrete or even stripe the freeway in this cold temperature. This improvement project, with construction scheduled to start on Feb 15, is estimated to take 550 working days. The proposed completion date is the spring of 2015. As local residents questioned the impact of the project and their ability to get from the west to the east side of I-5 and the freeway, Dave responded that "not doing it is not an option." There was some discussion of only working on weekdays, which delays the completion date, further impacting local merchants. One resident asked if the contract with Flat Iron included liquidated damages if the project was not completed (or delayed). In addition to temporary closures of surrounding streets for three to six weeks the current bridge will be replaced. The replacement bridge will be higher. While that work is under way the southern half will be taken down, the northern lanes will be re-striped and made into two-way traffic, which should be fun, and further delay the Ortega commute over I-5. Speaking of transportation, we were told that trucks longer than 40 feet, driving south on I-5, will not be permitted to make a left-hand turn onto the bridge while each half is being removed. The head of the Swallow's Day parade was concerned that this construction start might interfere with their event. We were told that as part of this improvement Caltrans had to take (under eminent domain powers) two Chevron stations, the Denny's and a Jack in the Box restaurant, all valid public uses. When this project is completed, whenever that happens, it will be much easier to cross the bridge heading to Del Obispo as well as coming from Del Obispo to take I-5 North as the current traffic lights will be removed as you enter the new I-5 North on ramp. One question that Dave could not answer related to the current LOS (Level of Service) ratings be it A through F traffic level and the projected level after 11,000 new homes are built just down Ortega Highway where the congestion may be as bad as it is today. After his presentation I did introduce myself to Mr. Richardson and asked if our church, which lost some land for this expansion, could place "open for business" signage on their cyclone fence behind our facilities during the construction. Dave said it might be distracting to motorists and could possibly cause accidents. I then told him about the Kaleidoscope complex at the freeway and Crown Valley Parkway where the owners want to add humongous electronic billboards. Talk about concerns for public safety. Caltrans held two additional meetings in San Juan on Jan. 12 where they provided the same information for those who could not attend on Jan. 10. |
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ACT for America The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold its 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. The program topic will be “The Afghanistan Diaries: An American Soldier Reveals What's Really Going On in the War With the Taliban.” Jesse Petrilla just returned from Afghanistan where he served as a Liaison Officer to an Afghan government intelligence agency. He will share with you his firsthand experiences meeting with some of the most sinister jihadists at America's largest detention facility in Afghanistan. Jesse will discuss:
Jesse Petrilla was elected to the City Council of Rancho Santa Margarita in November 2010. He also serves as an officer in the California Army National Guard. Outside of the military, Jesse has traveled to 21 countries including Jordan, Egypt, Bosnia, Kosovo, Israel, France and others on various fact-finding missions to learn firsthand the threats we face from Islamic militancy and socialism. He is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a degree in computer science and a minor in military science. A $5 donation is appreciated to help cover meeting costs. The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center (Sycamore B Room), 24932 Veterans Way, 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. Concerts at Soka, The Takacs Quartet featuring pianist Joyce Yang on Wed., Jan. 16, 8:00 p.m., and the Phil Norman Tentet on Fri., Jan., 18, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu Open House and Preview Events at private schools: Mission Viejo Christian School, Tues., Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. JSerra Catholic High School on Thurs., Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m., visit http://www.jserra,org . Santa Margarita Catholic High School on Tues., Jan. 22, 7:00 p.m., http://www.smhs.org . Carden Academy on Thurs., Jan. 31, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., http://www.cardenacademy.com . Entrance exam at St. Michael’s High School on Sat., Jan. 28, 8:00 a.m., call (949) 858-0222, ext. 237 Recycling Drive, Sat., Jan. 19, 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon, St. Kilian Catholic Parish, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. They will accept aluminum, paper and plastic. They can no longer accept glass or cardboard. Bring items to the lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-4440, http://www.stkilianchurch.org “Footloose,” Concordia University Theatre, Jan. 24-26 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 at 2:00 p.m., 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 854-8002, http://www.cui.edu/ 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. Car (CARe) Show and Poker Run, San Juan Capistrano, Sat., Feb. 2, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 for general admission. Family-friendly event, view more than 400 vehicles, proceeds benefit SJC Rotary projects. San Juan Capistrano Community Center and Sports Park, 25920 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, http://sjcrotary.org/carshow Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two,” now playing through Feb. 3, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com Tet Festival, Feb. 8-10, organized by the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California, annual lunar new year event, live entertainment, food, fireworks, Garden Grove Park, 9301 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove, (714) 890-1418, http://www.yelp.com/biz/tet-festival-garden-grove Holiday Ice Rink in Spectrum. Outdoor rink is open through Feb. 18. 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 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. Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Jan. 15, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://ocgov.com/cals/?ViewBy=7&CalDate=1/15/2013&EventDateID=89649 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. 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. Santa Margarita Water District meetings: 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 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees’ meetings have been moved to Wednesday nights. The next meeting will meet on Jan. 23, 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/ Meet Larry Elder, live KABC radio broadcast from the Nixon Library, Thurs., Jan. 31, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org Meet Oliver North at the Nixon Library, Tues., Feb. 12, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. North discusses his book, “Heroes Proved” in the East Room, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org. |
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The Buzz Reader response to lane restriping at Olympiad Road and Alicia Parkway, near the Stoneridge gates: “I noticed the restriping of northbound lanes at the intersection, and I don’t agree with City Manager Dennis Wilberg’s statements [in his December newsletter]. Does he have data to support there is a ‘very high volume of right turns’ from Olympiad onto eastbound Alicia? I have never seen a high volume of northbound traffic waiting to turn east. All cars get through in one green light. If he’s saying there’s a surge of traffic going to Rancho Santa Margarita, the only surge is already on Alicia, not turning from Olympiad. There’s more traffic on Olympiad from the opposite direction, southbound turning onto Alicia. From the photo in Wilberg’s newsletter, it looks like the bike lane was eliminated, and that’s a bad idea. There was no need for a right turn lane going east, and if a bike lane was taken out, it was at the expense of safety.” *** Readers should be aware of what precipitated the right turn lane, which never went before the council or Planning Commission. Councilman Frank Ury lives in Stoneridge, and his wife works in Rancho Santa Margarita. No further explanation is needed, and his demanding a turn lane for his wife’s convenience should come as no surprise. Outrageous, but not surprising. *** In every city election, candidates complain their campaign signs are stolen. City contractor Jamie Clark is paid to remove the signs. Residents have photographed campaign signs in the back of his pickup – no doubt about his involvement. When a candidate followed Clark after seeing him take down a sign, Clark drove to a parking lot next to city hall, where signs were stacking up behind a locked gate. Signs are taken from medians and city property, which Clark might be contracted to do, but signs are also taken from businesses and other private property. In a council race years ago, an incumbent’s confiscated signs were delivered to his house while challengers’ signs disappeared. *** A city watchdog recently posted a Facebook comment, and he mentioned Jamie Clark’s no-bid contracts with the city. Several years ago, other watchdogs perused Clark’s invoices. As an example, Clark has a crew that inspects city parks. Clark’s employees were reporting children’s chalk drawings on concrete or any chalk mark on playground equipment as “graffiti.” A second crew would then go to the location for professional removal of the “graffiti.” Calling hopscotch squares graffiti is laughable, but it was a staple on Clark’s bills, occurring every month. Another memorable charge was the incredible number of times twigs were removed from spigots of drinking fountains in parks – fairly costly to remove. The implication was vandalism – the same prank month after month in parks all over town, but who was watching the store? The same contractor who reported the vandalism was paid to fix it. *** Candidate update: In the 73rd Assembly District, Diane Harkey is terming out in 2014, and Jesse Petrilla has announced his candidacy. Other potential candidates include Anna Bryson, Frank Ury and Bill Brough, who was elected to the Dana Point City Council in 2010. Probably running in 2014 are Mimi Walters for Pat Bates’ Fifth District Board of Supervisors seat and Pat Bates for Mimi Walters’ State Senate seat, when both women term out of their current office. Harkey says she is running for the California Board of Equalization in 2014. *** Check out a complaint about the city’s controversial tennis resort remodel, posted on the Mission Viejo Dispatch, http://missionviejodispatch.com/budget/letter-tennis-reply/ . Incredibly, one of the tennis resort members who complained three years ago that the remodel was essential (he claimed watchdogs were being negative for objecting to the cost, now more than $5 million) is still complaining. He doesn’t like the new lighting. By the way, another great big problem claimed by proponents of the remodel was the lack of parking space. After more than $5 million to satisfy approximately 200 Mission Viejo residents who are tennis resort members, the city actually reduced the number of parking spaces – a net loss of seven spaces. |
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