SCE Pays Shills

Last week, Mission Viejo watchdog Joe Holtzman forwarded another example of SCE buying influence: “Big Bucks Edison paying off Chambers of Commerce.”

SCE paid almost $500,000 to Chambers of Commerce in 2011 (most recent data available), plus $66 million for in-house and outside legal counsel in 2011 in the same reporting period.

Adding to Joe’s post was Martha Sullivan, who wrote, “Women’s Energy Matters (WEM), led by Barbara George, did some good analysis on this in the Opening Testimony in the CA PUC’s investigation into the San Onofre Outage a month ago.”

As an example what SCE is buying, on May 3, the South Orange County Economic Coalition released a post, “Vote: Help Keep a Safe & Reliable Energy Supply for South OC.”

Here’s the message from the SOC Economic Coalition:

Dear Coalition Partners –

The San Diego Union-Tribune currently has a reader poll asking the public if Southern California Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) should be shut down indefinitely. Please log on to their website to register your support for keeping SONGS open to ensure a reliable energy supply for South Orange County. Remember to vote "NO" on the question asked by the Union-Tribune.

Grin and Bear It
by Larry Gilbert

Subject: Six grizzly bears spotted in Mission Viejo

“Ursus Californicus," the grizzly bear, became our official state animal exactly 60 years ago. In recognition of its place in our state history, the city of Mission Viejo is about to release six bears, now hiding out on the upper level of the Kaleidoscope complex on Crown Valley and the freeway. You can see them in the vacant store adjacent to the Edwards Theatres on the upper level. They were alone when I dropped by about an hour ago. In fact I was the only person on that level and had no problem finding a place to park.

Having been away for almost a month, I was not aware that the city council or planning commission had any discussions about adding these latest animals to our zoo.

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 Church is offering a series of classes on finance, with the next one on Tues., May 7, 7:00 p.m. Learn how to beat debt and save money. Location is 23331 Moulton Pkwy., Laguna Hills, (949) 916-0251, http://www.crosslinechurch.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/

“Elegant & Enchanting Rose Garden Tours,” Sat., May 11, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., visit five rose gardens in Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Beach and San Clemente. Hosted by the Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain, (714) 731-9242, http://www.rosesrosesroses.org/gardentour2013.php

Battle of the Mariachis, Sat., May 11, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., music, dance workshops and food, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-1315, http://www.missionsjc.com

Annual Gala of Stars at Concordia University, Sat., May 11, 5:00 p.m., entertainment, gourmet dining and auction items to support the university’s scholarship fund, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 854-8002, http://www.cui.edu/?gclid=CMyjsdWOt7YCFQ3qnAod9CoA4w

Soka University concerts: Jazz Monsters with the Kenny Barron Trio on Sat., May 11, 8:00 p.m.; Robert Cazimero and Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua on June 1, 8:00 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Michaels, ongoing and new classes throughout May: sewing, cake decorating, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, 25310 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 770-5001
http://locations.michaels.com/CA/MISSION-VIEJO/8513/index.html

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, ongoing and new classes this week, including arts, crafts and Make It and Take It workshops, 26672 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch, (949) 588-7420, http://Joann.com

Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., May 18, 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

Philharmonic House of Design, through May 19, tour a showcase home in Coto de Caza, fundraiser for Philharmonic Society Youth Music Education Programs, (714) 840-7542, http://www.PhilharmonicSociety.org/HOD

Laguna Playhouse presents “Steel Magnolias” through May 26, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Political and Government Events Calendar

Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., May 7, 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

OC Veterans Advisory Council Meeting on Wed., May 8, 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

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., May 8, 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., May 10, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., May 17, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., May. 22, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., May 13. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Tues., May 14, 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., May 15, 9:00 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., May 16, 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. On May 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., SRA members will vote for a new board of directors. While guests may attend, non-members cannot vote. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., SRA will host a discussion of city issues. For information call (949) 360-1717.

Meet Donald Rumsfeld, Mon., May 20, 7:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Distinguished Speakers Series. Price ($48 general admission; $43 members) includes lecture ticket and autographed first edition of Rumsfeld’s Rules. Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

Orange County Parks Commission will meet on Thurs., June 6, 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/

The Buzz

A catastrophe in Mission Viejo has come to mean another bad decorating idea by city employee Keith Rattay. He not only was involved with the controversial “storytelling room” in the library (redecorating job costing taxpayers $500,000), he had a hand in painting the amateurish graphics. Why is a highly compensated city administrator painting scenery in the library?

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For an evaluation of Rattay’s unique skill set, read a September 2012 post: “Tonight the Mission Viejo City Council will consider a new employment contract for Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay that would be the envy of most private sector workers. According to the terms of the proposed contract ( http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1755&doctype=AGENDA ), Mr. Rattay will get NINE MONTHS pay for doing NOTHING regardless of whether he quits or the City simply fails to renew his contract. As a mid-level manager, Mr. Rattay’s proposed contract will pay him a hefty $162,178 yearly salary, a $450/month car allowance, $7,500 extra “just cause” (technically “deferred compensation”) ON TOP OF the full PERS pension contribution that is worth $40,000-$80,000 per year depending on which actuary you talk to. Making matters even worse, the internally inconsistent proposed contract declares that Mr. Rattay is ‘at will’ on the one hand (meaning he can be terminated at any time for any reason) and then later limits the grounds for termination to stealing money from the City or being convicted of a felony. Doing a terrible job is evidently insufficient grounds for termination at the City of Mission Viejo.” http://thinkingrightblog.com/433/

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Ranch Market in the retail center at Marguerite and Trabuco has closed. It was popular with Casta del Sol residents for its location, and it carried kosher meats as well as other kosher items. A sign on the door didn’t explain the departure of the business, which was a satellite of Mission Ranch Market on Los Alisos. Maybe this would be a good time to ask how the city-subsidized farmers market is doing since it switched from Friday morning to Saturday morning.

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It’s a bear market in Mission Viejo, with city hall producing the bears. A city watchdog discovered an odd sight of large bear sculptures being decorated in a vacant store on the top floor of the Kaleidoscope retail center. According to a city publication, the bears are a city project: http://missionviejolife.org/2012/08/10/public-sought-to-help-create-bears-about-town/
Scroll to the bottom of the article to see who’s in charge – is anyone surprised it is Keith Rattay? If any taxpayer wonders why city hall has 270 people on the payroll, consider the wide range of make-work projects and a council majority that isn’t paying attention.

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The city apparently cannot afford to refurbish barren slopes or resurface all the city’s deteriorating streets. Streets are slurried or repaved only once every seven years, despite the deterioration rate accelerating with age. In 2010, a group of residents surveyed all streets in the city and found a significant portion in poor condition. Astoundingly, the city produced its Pavement Management Report in 2012 stating 96 percent of Mission Viejo’s city-owned streets are in good or very good condition. Only 4 percent could be found in fair condition, and no street (even those with vegetation growing in wide cracks) was in poor condition. Compare that with reality: the overall condition of streets hasn’t changed since the residents’ report because 1) no additional funds are being spent on pavement, and 2) the city is still on a seven-year cycle. This blog and the Mission Viejo Dispatch reported pavement conditions in 2010, when residents found at least 25 percent of city streets needing significant repairs.

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What goes into a city hall festival? According to the city’s claims, two full-time employees who were in charge of a Reader’s Festival spent an entire year planning it, and they didn’t do it by themselves. Custom-made banners go up on streets to announce the event, contractors set up tents, chairs, a stage and sound system. City staffers write press releases and create advertising and printed materials. Other employees arrange for onsite vendors and professional participants, including musicians and entertainers. Someone has to shake down all the city’s suppliers to arrange sponsorships, plus freebies for attendees. Contractors prepare the site and clean up after the crowd leaves. City employees hold countless meetings and conferences for weeks, months or a year in advance. How many people on the city payroll have no responsibilities other than party planning?

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