County Role Shrinks
by Larry Gilbert

Question of the day. Do we truly need a full-time Board of Orange County Supervisors?

Recently I read about a new OC CEO and his or her suggested compensation. Part of the discourse relates to our shift away from large, unincorporated areas as newer cities have been formed in the past 25 years.

With 3.1 million reported residents in the county I did some quick research and can report that there are less than 125,000 current residents in the 15 isolated islands. For those unfamiliar with all these unincorporated communities, let me list their names.

Coto De Caza, Cowan Heights, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Lemon Heights, Midway City, Modjeska, North Tustin, Orange Park Acres, Rancho Mission Viejo, Red Hill, Rossmoor, Silverado and Trabuco Canyon.

That said, there are other functions served by the county starting with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department which, in addition to providing public safety in the unincorporated areas, also serves 12 of our cities under individual contracts.

We recently approved annexing a small area into Mission Viejo where the developer preferred having a Mission Viejo address to help sell these homes. Not too long ago the county asked RSM to annex Coto de Caza as they are within their "sphere of influence." RSM declined the request.

A long time ago we were asked to annex both Ladera Ranch and Las Flores. Mission Viejo declined the LAFCO request as neither of these areas penciled out. We were told that the County wanted to get out of providing public services to these unincorporated areas. I'll wrap this up and simply ask readers to share their thoughts.

Greens Gone Crazy in Aliso Viejo
by Dale Tyler

On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, the Aliso Viejo City Council will reconsider an package of building and environmental initiatives tied to the idea that government needs to mandate how we all live. This is brought to us by a small cadre of “green” socialists in the Aliso Viejo city staff and misguided citizens.

This started a couple of years ago when the Aliso Viejo City Council was persuaded to spend untold staff time addressing “global warming”, which is now called “climate change” since the warming does not really appear to be happening as predicted. That's a story for another time.

While wasting the taxpayer funds on a foolish study is one thing, the product of the study is simply unbelievable. On the one hand, the study found that Aliso Viejo was “currently in compliance with all regulation”, it goes on to layout an intrusive set of rules and regulations that will make construction of new homes and businesses much more costly. Remodeling of existing structures could also become much more expensive under the proposal. In addition, every decision that the City Council makes, from traffic lights to speed bumps to swing sets in the parks will have to also consider the effect of the decision on “climate change”.

Here are some of the proposed regulations:

• Provide for more mixed use in the City General Plan.
• Modify zoning for “urban villages”
• Provide incentives for land uses to perform closer to “zero net energy”
• City should invest in some “complete streets” demonstration projects
• Issue permits for “walkable commercial” locations throughout the city
• Issue permits for “organic gardens anywhere they are feasible
• Issue permits for higher floor ratio to ground coverage building that currently allowed. This is high density housing and taller commercial buildings.
• Essentially require new and remodeled buildings to comply with Leeds and other “green” building standard or face increased and costly “review”
• Reduce the dependance on carbon based fuel vehicles

There are many more, but the bottom line is that Aliso Viejo staff want to control more and more of how businesses and citizens live. They are trying to claim that some of these regulations are merely advisory, but it is clear they will become mandatory in the future.

This should not be surprising to anyone who has followed the way local governments operate. Government exists, by and large, to justify and expand its own existence. The staff at Aliso Viejo city hall see an opportunity to expand their numbers and raise their pay and at the same time be politically correct. The so-called “green” initiative is an expensive fraud at all levels, from California AB32 down to this plan in Aliso Viejo.

Another part of the study proposes requirements to make the city respond to “climate change” Some of these are:

• Evaluate potential climate change impacts of all items being considered by the City Council.
• Address barriers to change and inefficiencies within the existing structure of the City of Aliso Viejo government to be able to respond quickly to climate change developments; incorporate climate change threats to the City's Emergency Incident Plan and Emergency Operations Center training for city staff.

This is the essence of what the “climate change” advocates have been foaming at the mouth for years. Taken to its logical conclusion, there would have to be carbon impact study done for every traffic light, crosswalk and swing set added to the city. Think of the additional staff time those studies would take and how much the taxpayer will love the new taxes this will require.

What the greenies don't realize is that if something actually saves a meaningful amount of energy (money) then people and businesses will adopt those practices without being forced by government. In general, people are a lot smarter that governments.

In addition, what new impacts would need to be accounted for in the city's emergency plan? If there are any impacts of “climate change”, which is doubtful, these impacts would not be sudden and therefore the idea of “updating an emergency plan” and “training staff” are simply the wild ravings of a group that thinks attempting to scare the public by making dire predictions is a way to win their point.

I encourage all citizens of Aliso Viejo to email their City Council members city-clerk@cityofalisoviejo.com , calling the City Clerk's office at 949-425-2505 and/or go to the Aliso Viejo City Council meeting to tell the Council not to adopt the Green City Initiative. A copy of the initiative can be found here (5MB PDF - 2 minute download).

SRA Meets on Mar. 21

Saddleback Republican Assembly will host author and historian Don Jans as its guest speaker on Thurs., Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m., at the Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Admission is free of charge.

Don Jans has studied Marxism for 40 years, and he will speak about the subject of his book, "My Grandchildren's America." Jans asks: “Will it be the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

Throughout the election cycle in 2008, Obama was vague on the details of how our nation should change. How will the changes promised, and currently happening under Obama's presidency, limit American freedoms and opportunities?

Jans will discuss Obama’s ideals of “fundamental transformation.” History reveals that Karl Marx’s writings advocate policies to bring about fundamental transformation, resulting in a so-called fair and equitable society. Is the fundamental transformation proposed in 2008 by Barack Obama the same fundamental transformation forwarded by Karl Marx in the 1800s? Visit Jans' website: www.mygrandchildrensamerica.com

For more information about the meeting, call SRA President Dale Tyler, (949) 360-1717.

Council Meets on Mar. 18

To view the Mission Viejo City Council agenda for Mon., Mar. 18, go to http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=1993&doctype=agenda

Among items of interest under New Business are the Minutes, Check Registers and Monthly Treasurer’s reports.

Under Old Business, note Item #14. Watermarke is the developer of the high-density apartments that are planned for the parcel next to the Mission Viejo Country Club. This agenda item has to do with Watermarke’s project, which is called Andalucia in the title/description.

The description of Item #14 is “Termination of Inclusionary Housing Agreement and Acknowledgement of Park Fee Obligation (“Termination Agreement”) between Mission Viejo Housing Authority and Mission Viejo Oso Parkway Development, LP, a California limited partnership, relating to the Andalucia Mission Viejo Apartments.

Under City Manager’s Report, note Item #20 – new fee schedule for healthcare benefits.

The open session of the council meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. Those who are unable to attend the meeting but wanting to comment can email their remarks to City Clerk Karen Hamman, KHamman@cityofmissionviejo.org . Don’t forget to include the agenda item.

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.

San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association events: 54th Annual Swallows’ Day Parade and Mercado on Sat., Mar. 23. Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and Mercado is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. http://www.swallowsparade.com/taste.html

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

Concert at Soka: Jazz Monsters Tribute to Jimmy Wyble on Fri., Mar. 29, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center; 12th Annual International Festival on Sat., May 4, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fun With Chalk on Sat.-Sun., May 4-5, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt, O’Neill’s Bar & Grill, Sun., Mar. 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; egg hunt from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. BOOK Online. Or
Download Flyer Arroyo Trabuco, 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 305-5100, http://www.arroyotrabuco.com/calendar.aspx

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

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/

Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., Apr. 20, 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

Political and Government Events Calendar

Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Mar. 19, 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

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

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be historian and author Don Jans. 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., 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

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet “if necessary” on Tues., Mar. 26, 6:30 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be on Tues., April 16 (third Tuesday due to spring recess), 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on 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/

Orange County Parks Commission will meet on Thurs., Apr. 4, 7:00 p.m. The commission meets on the first Thursday of every month. Irvine Ranch Historic Park, 13042 Old Myford Rd. Irvine, (949) 923-3741, http://ocgov.com/cals/

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Apr. 8. 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.

OC Veterans Advisory Council Meeting, Wed. April 10, 6:00 p.m. The council meets on the second Wednesday of each month. 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

“The Conservative Resurrection,” panel discussion with Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Ben Shapiro and moderator Brian Whitman, Wed., Apr. 10, 7:00 p.m., Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

The Rush Limbaugh Club, Orange County Chapter, will host guest speaker Councilman Bill Brough, Dana Point, on Sat., April 13, 8 a.m. breakfast. Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m., Casta del Sol Golf Clubhouse, 27601 Casta del Sol, Mission Viejo.

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

Mission Viejo activist Joe Holtzman sent an article about ratepayers of Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric being charged nearly $1 billion during the past year for an idle nuclear plant. The LA Times published a summary last week: “You probably know San Onofre as the full-figured fiasco overlooking the Pacific Ocean near the Orange/San Diego county line. Beginning in 2004, Southern California Edison, the nuclear power plant's principal owner, oversaw a $770-million project to replace its two aging steam generators with new models. The new units, which were supposed to last 20 years, lasted scarcely 20 months before showing alarmingly severe wear and tear.” Read the Mar. 12 article, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/12/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20130312

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In the Mission Viejo city election last November, losing candidate Wendy Bucknum used her lobbyist job in the housing industry to get endorsements from her “customers” – also known as elected officials. Assisting Bucknum in Orange County political circles was Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, who endorsed Bucknum early on. Harkey and her developer husband’s bad investment deals might be hampering Diane’s campaign to get on the state Board of Equalization. Is Bucknum more eager to jump Harkey’s ship than passengers on a stranded Carnival cruise? Bucknum attended the March 15 fundraiser for Mark Wyland, who is Harkey’s rival for the Board of Equalization. Bucknum was dressed appropriately in her lobbyist uniform, a company shirt of her employer, Professional Community Management.

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Fun With Chalk, which entertained Mission Viejo residents for years with chalk masterpieces on pavement, has moved its annual streetpainting festival to Soka University in Aliso Viejo. The chalk festival is Sat.-Sun., May 4-5, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The university’s International Festival runs concurrently on Sat., May 4. Read about the festival at http://www.soka.edu/news_events/International-Festival/default.aspx

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Capo school district ex-superintendent James Fleming, “the Flem,” sued the district in January, asking payment for his legal fees. In 2006, an Orange County grand jury accused him of wrongdoing over the “Enemies Lists,” but charges were dropped by an appellate court in 2011. Last week, an Orange County Superior Court Judge threw out the Flem’s attempt to get his legal fees paid for by the district. Taxpayers should hope this chapter will now end. For the story, go to http://www.ocregister.com/news/fleming-499870-capistrano-ruling.html

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The Saddleback Valley News failed some time ago to maintain readership after removing such community connections as letters to the editor and other input of significance from residents. SVN, despite a recent facelift and larger format, is still the same drivel. Its so-called reporters are putting infomercials on the front page and filling inside pages with reprints from OCR and press releases written by City Manager Dennis Wilberg’s staff. It is a sad day to lose coverage of a local paper, and that day occurred when SVN officials caved in to Wilberg’s demands – if not his threats to pull taxpayer-funded full-page ads from SVN.

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Blog readers might wonder about all the attention the Mission Viejo slopes are getting lately. Residents who are already busy raising children and making house payments might not have the energy to get excited about the condition of city slopes. City watchdogs, however, are following the trail of the $33 million the city has spent on landscaping since 2005. Where did the money go? A recent summary by citizens indicates one-third of city-owned slopes are in poor condition and another third are in marginal condition.

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On Mar. 14, the OC Register reported that a former Mission Viejo Nadadores swim coach has been banned for life from working with young people because of a sex scandal: http://www.ocregister.com/sports/dusenbury-499847-swimmer-swimming.html Among disturbing details is the date – 2006 – and at what point the coach’s Nadadores peers became suspicious but didn’t act to protect a young swimmer.

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A bicyclist died after being struck by a car in Mission Viejo on Mar. 15. As mentioned a week ago on this blog, cyclists are being killed with an average of one fatal accident per month in Orange County. The city of Mission Viejo blatantly put cyclists at risk by removing a bike lane at the intersection of Alicia Parkway and Olympiad Road. Why was this done? To expedite right turns on red for the privileged few who live in Stoneridge – notably Councilman Frank Ury (whose wife works at a school in Rancho Santa Margarita) and a former commissioner appointed by Ury. The bike lane was removed without the proper steps of taking it before the Planning and Transportation Commission, where such a change obviously would have been challenged on the basis of safety.

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