Update on Slopes

Various city officials have used the same old line for more than 10 years. Vegetation is torn out with the same areas replanted again and again -- “to be replaced with drought-tolerant plants.” It’s a hoax – burning tax dollars with make-work projects, particularly along Marguerite Parkway and medians near major intersections. A few highly visible areas are repeatedly worked on and overplanted at the expense of the city as a whole.

A couple things stand out in recent stories emanating from City Hall. The first is numbers on the cost of slope work that, according to watchdogs, don’t add up.

Another thing is the implication city slopes are well managed and in good condition.

A Mar. 8 Saddleback Valley News story says, “Since 2005, the city has renovated 75 percent of the slopes on Marguerite Parkway, the city’s major roadway, according to Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay. That figure will now increase to nearly 85 percent.”

If SVN readers get the idea 75 percent of city-owned slopes on Marguerite are in good shape, that’s not the case. Compare Rattay’s statement with a report provided by residents. In response to a blog reader’s request last month, citizens are compiling data on the condition of city slopes. While still in progress, an overview from their report includes a paragraph about Marguerite Parkway:

“Anyone driving the length of Marguerite Parkway, from El Toro Road to Avery, will see a wide range of conditions of slopes and a patchwork of landscape plans. It looks as if scores of different property owners are involved. However, with a few exceptions (slopes owned by homeowner associations), the city owns the slopes on Marguerite. Take note of city official Keith Rattay’s statement during the Feb. 4 council meeting that city employees are inspecting the work of city landscape contractors. Large portions of some slopes on Marguerite are bare or appear not to be maintained at all. If contractors are paid to take care of landscaping, they are not doing it, as the areas are dirt with no plants. Other large areas on Marguerite show a high percentage of vegetation failure, including some recently refurbished slopes. Contractors put in plants that are either too small to survive or they fail for other reasons, resulting in bare areas.”

In the Mar. 8 SVN article, Rattay sites contract work on Jeronimo last year, budgeted at $546,000, with an implication it was finished. However, the work extends eastward for a short distance and then stops. It looks like an incomplete project. Driving west on Jeronimo from Marguerite, the slopes are worse. The piecemeal work is a conglomeration. Between areas that actually look good are spans of weeds and dirt next to seedling plants and sparse shrubs.

Also from the citizens’ overview, “The condition of city slopes falls into three categories with fairly equal portions: one-third in good condition, one-third in marginal condition and one-third in poor condition. Poor condition is defined as neglected, barren or not maintained at all.”

The city staff and council majority members say the city is in great financial shape. Can the city not “afford” to maintain all its slopes? Refurbishing slopes in poor condition should be part of a comprehensive landscape plan. No city-owned slopes should be neglected for years, as has occurred in Aegean Hills – ignored for more than 20 years and still waiting.

Recycle Drive on Mar. 16

St. Kilian Catholic Church will have a recycle drive on Sat., Mar. 16, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Anyone wanting to donate recyclables should bring them to the lower parking lot of the church.

The event, which is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, is held on the third Saturday of each month. A member of the Knights added, “We’ll take your aluminum cans, plastic bottles (#1 and 2) and paper. Sorry, we can no longer take glass or cardboard.”

Also at St. Kilian this week, drop off new or gently used shoes to support Soles4Souls. The drive to collect shoes for needy people will continue through Sun., Mar. 17. Collection bins can be found outside the church or parish center.

The church is located at 26872 Estanciero Dr., Mission Viejo. For more information, call (949) 472-1249.

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. 
http://www.mvelks.com/

Concerts at Soka: Tafelmusik – House of Dreams on Thurs., Mar. 14, 7:30 p.m., Jazz Monsters Tribute to Jimmy Wyble on Fri., Mar. 29, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., Mar. 16, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, held on the third Saturday of each month. Organized by Knights of Columbus; acceptable items include aluminum, paper and plastic. No glass or cardboard. Lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 472-1249, http://www.stkilianchurch.org

San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association events: El Presidente Ball at the El Adobe Restaurant on Sat., Mar. 16, 6:30 p.m.,; 54th Annual Swallows’ Day Parade and Mercado on Sat., Mar. 23, parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and Mercado from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. http://www.swallowsparade.com/taste.html

Irish Brunch at O’Neill’s Bar & Grill, Sun., Mar. 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Irish brunch buffet and Irish music by Adam Jones, Arroyo Trabuco, 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 305-5100, http://www.arroyotrabuco.com/calendar.aspx

“Wicked,” through Mar. 17, musical about Oz before Dorothy arrives. Matinees and evening shows, Tuesday through Sunday. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2787, http://scfta.org/home/default.aspx

La Vida Drum Circle, Wed., Mar. 27, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (April 25, May 24, etc.). Drummers should bring their drums. Donations of firewood are appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/full-moon-drum-circle

“Having it All,” new musical by John Kavanaugh, through Sun., March 31, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach , (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Political and Government Events Calendar

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Mar. 11. 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., Mar. 12, 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 will hold a regular board meeting on Tues., Mar. 12, 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

OC Veterans Advisory Council Meeting, Wed. Mar. 13, 6:00 p.m., Veterans Service Office, Conference Room A/B, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, https://cms.ocgov.com/gov/occr/occs/veterans/advisory/default.asp

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet this month on Wed., Mar. 13, 7:00 p.m., and Wed., Mar. 27, 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/

Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., Mar. 15, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Mar. 22, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., Mar. 27, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

Celebrate former First Lady Pat Nixon’s Birthday at the Nixon Library on Sun., Mar. 17, 11:00 a.m. The library will observe the 101st anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Nixon with free admission all day, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated general meeting on Wed., Mar. 20, 9:00 a.m. Featured speaker will be Jesse Petrilla, who recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan as an officer in the California Army National Guard. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Mar. 21, 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.

Political Memorabilia Collectors’ Fair, Sat., Apr. 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library, buy, sell, swap or browse. Expert collectors will buy, sell and appraise campaign materials and political memorabilia, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

California Republican Assembly Convention, Fri.-Sun., April 26-28, Doubletree San Francisco Airport, Burlingame. For information call (650) 697-1964.

The Buzz

The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will meet on Mon., Mar. 11. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Brad Dacus, founder and president of the Pacific Justice Institute. His topic will be “The Myriad Domestic and Foreign Forces Threatening Our Security, Our Liberties and Our Values.” The group meets at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, (Sycamore B Room). Sign up for chapter announcements at www.act4oc.org

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Tragic statistic – on average, one Orange County cyclist is killed each month. Last September, OC Register columnist David Whiting wrote about the deadly trend, saying safety measures would save lives. Whiting should direct his comments to the thoughtless officials – whoever they are – for eliminating the bike lane at Olympiad Road and Alicia Parkway. The lane had to go so “someone” who lives in Stoneridge could make a right turn on Olympiad without having to wait a few seconds for the light to turn green. Read Whiting’s column at
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cyclists-372241-killed-year.html

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Headlines: State Says Bankrupt San Bernardino Stashed $528.9 Million in Redevelopment Funds. “Bankrupt San Bernardino doesn’t want to give the state $528.9 million it says it is owed, but it’s not necessarily because the city is, you know, bankrupt. City officials say the state is wrong in pursuing millions from its now-defunct redevelopment agency, claiming that the assets reside in forms and in places that can’t be touched. State Controller John Chiang wants the money. The Southern California city of 209,000 declared bankruptcy in July 2012, facing a budget shortfall of $45.8 million.” Read about San Bernardino’s shell game: http://www.ca.allgov.com/news/where-is-the-money-going/state-says-bankrupt-san-bernardino-stashed-5289-million-in-redevelopment-funds-130308?news=849356

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They’re at it again, tearing up the median on Marguerite Parkway. A city activist says residents should expect more of the big brown bean pots to erupt on medians, as the foundations have been poured. City employees are moving on from their project of putting graphics on the outhouses along Crown Valley Parkway. The medians look like weed patches, and the graffiti-style “art” has evolved from grotesque images to paint splatters. Drivers stopped at a light on Crown Valley will have time to ponder how taxpayers are getting soaked for eyesores on medians.

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Suggestion from a Buzz reader, the city should change the name of its party of the month for staff members from “Up in the Air” to “Up in Smoke.” It provides a clear message of what’s happening to tax dollars.

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Residents who watched to the end of the Mar. 4 council meeting saw that City Manager Dennis Wilberg is now using the council agenda to wage war. Under his council comments, Item 18 was a shot at Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht, who has been advocating for better maintenance of city-owned slopes. Ostensibly, Wilberg was asking for direction from the council about continuing work on city slopes on Marguerite. He said he put the item on the agenda because he was concerned that Councilwoman Schlicht didn’t want to continue refurbishing slopes. Just so residents know how much Wilberg gets paid for his childish pranks, his annual salary is approximately $200,000, plus a health and benefit package. Even Trish Kelley said she didn’t know there had been any question about whether the council wanted to proceed, given it was a 5-0 vote.

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