Going To Pot
by Larry Gilbert

As a fiscal conservative I will admit to questioning nonessential city expenditures. That said, an event in Mission Viejo is being eliminated this year for budgetary reasons. I refer to our Readers Festival, which has been held at the Norman P Murray Senior and Community Center for the past four years. Promoting prior years’ events, it was advertised with the slogan "brings books to life."

However, we have staff with misguided plans for our city, which any visitor can easily observe by simply driving north of La Paz Rd on Marguerite Parkway. Huge metal pots are in the median. At this one location, I just took photos of three huge metal pots measuring 80 inches in diameter which when added to other locations collectively cost taxpayers more than the discontinued event that brings families to the center to meet famous authors. As an example of the Festival, the You Tube link below includes an interview with author Linda Evans from 2011.

Suggestion. We recently remodeled a room in the library for $475,000. Perhaps as the Readers Festival relates to reading and we have numerous authors presenting each year, maybe the library can fund this activity. As to government waste in Mission Viejo I need to point out that it takes some effort to scan the Check Registers or submit Public Record requests to discover how much money has been wasted on these pots that would not include the associated maintenance costs for any plants that they contain. It's all in setting priorities. We have a senior staff member who needs to be reeled in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAkH4f-PaUY

Newspapers Disappoint Community

The Orange County Register showed bias last November when it endorsed city council candidates. OCR employee Brian Calle has been blamed – whether or not he did it – for giving OCR’s endorsements to his buddies. In Mission Viejo, OCR endorsed incumbent Councilman Frank Ury and challenger Wendy Bucknum. Both ran on special interest money and support from Orange County’s corrupt power clique. While Ury won, Bucknum lost despite an enormous amount of free OCR advertising.

OCR touted its reason for endorsing Ury and Bucknum: they hadn’t taken union money. OCR’s implication was that other candidates did, which was false.

OCR’s national “news” articles tout the greatly exaggerated economic recovery and job market boom. In Mission Viejo, SVN publishes city hall’s happy-talk press releases and reprints from OCR. SVN also provides biased coverage for OCR’s endorsed candidates from last November. Bucknum is frequently photographed and quoted in SVN’s puff pieces. In SVN’s May 24 issue, Ury got a pass after he attempted to rig bids to favor one city vendor and eliminate all others in a street-sweeping contract. Instead of calling Ury out, SVN quoted and ran a photo of Councilwoman Trish Kelley as its report on the agenda item.

Additional information about Ury’s bid-rigging can be found on this week’s blog in another article.

Many Mission Viejo residents stopped reading SVN long ago, as evidenced by the number of unread SVN papers that remained in driveways week after week. The paper lacks connection with the community, and its pages are filled with advertorials and OCR reprints.

OrangeJuiceBlog last week revealed the shrinking numbers for OCR’s digital version – a decline many observers predicted after OCR put up a paywall. In the same OrangeJuice article, writer Greg Diamond describes OCR rolling out yet another print version, the Santa Ana Register. http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2013/06/new-weekly-santa-ana-register-to-compete-with-internet-publications/

Despite all the reversals in strategy, OCR’s new management keeps going with the owner’s cash infusions. With declining print and digital readership, what’s next for OCR? In addition to launching the Santa Ana Register last week, it is throwing a new free paper, “Community News,” in Mission Viejo driveways. Everyone should acknowledge OCR is trying to stay in business.

Readers’ preferences haven’t changed. They want news, not biased material by unethical journalists, including tainted political endorsements. Ignoring Ury’s bid-rigging is typical of SVN’s non-coverage of local news.

Wilberg’s Deceptive Newsletter
by Larry Gilbert

A perfect example of deception by the Mission Viejo City Manager. The following is from his latest City Newsletter.

"The City of Mission Viejo’s annual street sweeping bids were opened and read aloud at the public counter on Wednesday, June 5th. The City received 4 bids for this service. A fifth bid was also received, but was rejected because it was turned in about 8 minutes late. Sunset Property Services was the low bidder with a total contract cost for two years of $631,167.59 or $315,583.79 annually. The City’s current provider, Athens, has a contract cost for two years at $633,867.16 or $316,933.58 annually."

Folks. If you didn't know the rest of the story, one would get the impression that Athens Services was barely the lowest bidder for our annual street sweeping contract. What City Manager Wilberg failed to mention is Athens NEW two year bid of $792,208.82, which was opened at the same time as the Sunset bid referenced in his Newsletter. He is not showing apples to apples to mislead anyone reading his deceptive dribble.

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.

Laguna Playhouse presents “Late Nite Catechism: Sister Rolls the Dice,” June 11 through June 23, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., June 15, 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

Big Irish Fair at Irvine Lake, Sat.-Sun., June 15-16, including music, Irish food and drink, children’s events and sheepherding shows, Oak Canyon Park, Irvine, (877) 740-9888,
http://www.irishfair.org

Soka University concert, Men Alive present America, “The Songs of Our Homeland,” Fri., June 21, 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

A Taste of Greece, Fri.-Sun., June 21-23, St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, Greek food, dancing, carnival, boutique, wine tavern, church tours and opportunity drawings, 4949 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, (949) 733-2366, http://www.irvinegreekfest.com/

Concerts at Lake Mission Viejo on Saturdays: Wilson Phillips on June 22, Kellie Pickler on July 6, Donavon Frankenreiter on July 20, Dennis DeYoung on Aug. 3, Michael Bolton on Aug. 17 and Rock Under the Radar: Delta Rae on Aug. 31. Concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and are limited to lake association members and their guests. Call or visit the website for information, 949-770-1313, ext. 311, or http://www.lakemissionviejo.org

Summerfest ‘13 at Silverado, Sat.-Sun., June 22-23, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vendors include ceramics, woodworking, jewelry and handcrafted art. Enjoy live music, BBQ, children’s activities and birding classes. Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, 29322 Modjeska Cyn. Rd., Silverado, (714) 649-2760, http://www.tuckerwildlife.org/

La Vida Drum Circle, Sun., June 23, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (Sun., June 23, Mon., July 22, Tues., Aug. 20, Thurs., Sept. 19, etc.). Drummers should bring their own drums. Firewood is appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/things-we-dig/

Political and Government Events Calendar

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., June 10. 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.

Orange County Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tues., June 11, 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 workshop on safety (open to the public) will be held on Tues., June 11, 4:30 p.m., with the regular board meeting to follow at 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Meet Buzz Aldrin at the Nixon Library, Tues., June 11, 7:00 p.m., the second man on the moon and author of Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration. Nixon Library concert on Sun., June 16, winners of Orange County Musical Arts Competition. Doors open at 1:30 and the concert begins at 2:00 p.m. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., June 12, 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., June 12, 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., June 14, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., June 21, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., June 26, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

14th Annual Flag Day Dinner, Fri., June 14, Republican Party of Orange County. Featured speaker will be U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine, http://www.ocgop.org/flagday

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., June 19, 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., June 20. At 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) 769-1412.

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

Rush Limbaugh Club of OC, Sat., July 13, breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m., and the meeting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The club meets on second Saturdays of the month at Casta Del Sol Golf Club, 27601 Casta Del Sol Road, Mission Viejo. RSVP to reservations@rushlimbaughcluboc.com . http://www.rushlimbaughcluboc.com

The Buzz

A question arose during the June 3 Mission Viejo council meeting: is any city employee still using a pager? During the discussion of the city check register, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht noted a charge for pagers. City Manager Dennis Wilberg answered, “We’re still using them.” City employee Keith Rattay jumped in, saying pagers are indispensable in some departments. To the contrary, another city employee explained several days later that pagers are no longer in use. However, the city is still making payments on damaged and lost pagers that should have been returned.

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Another “indispensable” item for Wilberg is his weekly newsletter, “The Week That Was,” abbreviated as TW2. Because it’s a public document, activists get hold of it and expose the ridiculous activities Wilberg is touting. As an example, city employees (240 are on the payroll) are learning about the savings of using cold water to wash their clothes. Taxpayers should ask about the savings of downsizing Wilberg’s staff of 240 employees.

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During the June 3 meeting, Council Members Dave Leckness and Trish Kelley pushed hard for city taxpayers to provide electrical rechargers for cars. The service is already available in the private sector, e.g., at Walgreens. City hall staff members sought a federal grant to install the chargers at such places as Saddleback College and The Shops. Clowncilman Leckness proclaimed, “And recharging should be FREE for users!” Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht explained that 100 percent of the city’s taxpayers would be dinged so a few electric car users could avoid paying to recharge their own vehicles. Leckness is on the city’s Economic Development Committee, but he doesn’t grasp the damage to private enterprise when government provides freebies. Despite all five council members alleging they are fiscal conservatives, only Council Members Cathy Schlicht and Frank Ury opposed the government giveaway. Incredibly, the item will be brought back later, since the discussion ended with Leckness and Kelley in favor, Schlicht and Ury opposed and Rhonda Reardon on the fence.

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During the June 17 council meeting, council members will discuss the city budget. Councilwoman Kelley made a statement during the June 3 meeting, advising other council members to make an appointment with staff members to discuss the budget. To the contrary, council members should read the budget and ask questions of staff during the June 17 council meeting instead of holding private discussions. As another matter, residents don’t need the staff’s talking points filtered through inept council members. Dave Leckness doesn’t come prepared for council meetings, and Kelley often reads statements in support of staff’s ideas, which she can barely stumble through. Council members aren’t fooling anyone by reading staff members’ statements.

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The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., June 10.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. Featured speaker will be Brad Dacus, a Constitutional attorney who is founder and president of Pacific Justice Institute. His topic will be “America Under Siege!” He will reveal the myriad domestic and foreign forces threatening security, liberties and values. The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center (Sycamore B Room), 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

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From the June 7 LA Times: “The fate of the troubled San Onofre nuclear plant was apparently sealed last month when it became clear that a potential lengthy series of hearings would likely have to be held before the coastal facility could be powered back up.” After being in regulatory limbo for months, Edison International announced on Friday that the facility would be retired. Read the article at http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-onofre-edison-20130607,0,3264185.story

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Mission Viejo residents who expressed relief about Edison’s decision said they don’t oppose nuclear power, but they wanted any decision about a restart to be based on safety. Throughout public hearings on what to do, Edison’s official statements lacked credibility, particularly when political hacks and shills commented in support of a restart that lacked objective criteria.

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Patriot Action Network administrator Rev. Larry Wallenmeyer addresses the motives of Common Core Curriculum. “Regardless of the fact that reality has proven Common Core to be a wretched failure, nothing more than Marxist indoctrination... Liberals believe you and I are too stupid to take care of ourselves and make our own decisions. If we object to their oppressive dictatorial ways, they assume that we are doing so because we are ‘racist, sexist, bigots, intolerant and evil.’” Videos on Patriot Action Network explain the basics of Common Core Curriculum. http://patriotaction.net/forum/topic/show?id=2600775%3ATopic%3A6263354&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

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Celebrate Flag Day on Fri., June 14. Flag Day is a celebration of the adoption of the American flag by Continental Congress in the First Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777. “Bernard J. Cigrand, known to the general public as the ‘Father of Flag Day,’ worked as a school teacher at Stony Hill School in Waubeka, Wisconsin. He held the first unofficial observance for Flag Day at that school in 1885, and today a bust of Cigrand stands in Waubeka at the National Flag Day Americanism Center.” http://www.united-states-flag.com/flag-day-history.html

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