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Common Core Curriculum Community members attended SOC912’s meeting last week to learn about Common Core Curriculum. An attendee said, “This federal takeover is devastating to education and it undermines families. If this program is foisted on students, their parents will revolt. Wait until they find out their children are learning in first grade how to be manipulative. The instructional materials and textbooks encourage rebellion and angry attitudes in children.” Attendees also learned how Common Core lowers academic standards. Twelfth-grade reading requirements diminish to 7th-grade level. The objective of preparing students for college refers only to junior college with nonselective standards. Gloria Pruyne of Orange County Common Core Concerned Citizens and Jeanne Goodin of Eagle Forum of CA spoke during the meeting and encouraged community members to take up the issue with their school boards. As additional information, SOC912 lists the video http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/05/it-begins-communist-indoctrination-included-in-common-core-literature-for-first-graders-video/ From Eagle Forum: “Common Core means federal control of school curriculum, i.e., control by Obama Administration leftwing bureaucrats. Federal control will replace all curriculum decisions by state and local school boards, state legislatures, parents, and even Congress because Obama bypassed Congress by using $4 billion of Stimulus money to promote Common Core. “It’s not only public schools that must obey the fed’s dictates. Common Core will control the curriculum of charter schools, private schools, religious schools, Catholic schools, and homeschooling.” http://www.eagleforum.org/publications/column/backlash-against-common-core.html All school districts in Orange County are set to implement Common Core, but most people haven’t heard of it. Schools were bribed to participate, and state legislatures were bypassed. Many states that signed on are now withdrawing from Common Core or taking steps to reverse their decision to participate. |
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Vetting Councilman Ury A Public Service announcement for voters in south Orange County. As the Flash Report mentions Mission Viejo councilman Frank Ury's desire to run for higher office, let me provide some of our own candidate "vetting," resulting in Ury being denied the OC GOP endorsement last fall. The OC Republican Central Committee interviewed and provided endorsements of candidates which became part of their Get Out The Vote walk piece. Thousands of these Republican Party of Orange County Official Voting Guides were walked by volunteers across the county. The door hanger read: "Official Republican Candidates for Important Local Offices." In Oct. 2010 Frank Ury contributed to a PAC opposing all three GOP endorsed candidates listed in Chairman Scott Baugh's 2010 election walk piece. I showed that Citizens to Protect Mission Viejo PAC #460 report to the Central Committee and Chairman Baugh in my opposing Frank Ury's request for their endorsement in the 2012 election. I also displayed a blown up photo of Frank Ury standing on a major intersection campaigning for a Democrat in opposition to Republican Party endorsed candidates. Sadly, there are those in the good old boys (and ladies) club who allow personal friendships to stand in the way of vetting candidates regardless of any discovery. I would be remiss not to also mention Superior Court Judge Luis Rodriguez who rejected part of Frank Ury's Ballot argument in opposition to Measure D in March of 2010. Four times, on three different issues, the Judge called Frank's ballot argument "misleading" including line 3 of page 133 where the transcript reads that the statement was "misleading as a matter of law." |
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Voters Reject Rezoning The flip side to property ownership/development is zoning. The June 27 OC Register points out that Christo Bardis, a landowner in the City of Cypress, wanted to have the city rezone "part of the former (30 acre) Cypress Golf Club" for single-family homes and commercial use. Without researching the history of Measure A, a Ballot Measure which Mr. Bardis sponsored, it was soundly rejected by the voters. Apparently, there is a 1987 law mandating voter approval before any rezoning is authorized. In a sense that is the same issue we had in Mission Viejo a few years ago. Senior citizens living in gated communities surrounding the Casta Golf Course wanted similar protection should part of that golf course be sold. However, our Measure D, with a broader scope, was defeated. As of today there is no activity by the Casta golf course owners relating to its future reuse. Although I recently discarded specific examples of property owners whose hands were tied relating to development, I recall two examples in northern CA. One related to property owners along Lake Tahoe who for years could not get approval to build on their land. The second involved development in Sausalito above the Golden Gate Bridge where the local officials were mandating larger lot sizes than submitted by the owner to limit the number of units that could be built. Bottom line. Buyer beware. Whenever you are considering procurement of land that would require a rezone change, do not assume anything. You might have acquired a great piece of property that ends up sitting vacant simply because you may not get the necessary approvals to move forward. |
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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. July 4th Downhill Office Chair Race, Thurs., July 4, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This annual event benefits Family Assistance Ministries. Participants can sign up online or donate to help families in need. 232 Avenida Rosa, San Clemente, http://www.officechairrace.com Concerts at Lake Mission Viejo on Saturdays: 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 Vanguard University presents “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round,” Fri.-Sat. at 8:00 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. at 2:00 p.m., through July 7, Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 619-6424, http://www.vanguard.edu/calendar/events/upcoming/ Pageant of the Masters, July 7 through Aug. 31, “The Big Picture,” 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (800) 487-3378, http://www.foapom.com/ Laguna Playhouse presents “I Do! I Do!” from July 9 through Aug. 11, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com So. Cal. Tomato Battle, Sat., July 13, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the spirit of Spain’s La Tomatina tomato battle, Irvine Lake, 5305 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, http://tbsocal.eventbrite.com/ Soka University concerts: All-American Boys Chorus – “America: The Dream Goes On!” on Sat., July 13, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Sun., July 21, 2:00 p.m., the iPalputi Orchestra of International Laureates will perform classical music. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., July 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 La Vida Drum Circle, Mon., July 22, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (Mon., July 22, Tues., Aug. 20, Thurs., Sept. 19, etc.). Drummers should bring their 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/ Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily to Sept. 1, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030, http://www.sawdustartfestival.com/ |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Independence Day at the Nixon Library, Thurs., July 4. Tony Orlando performs at 11:00 a.m., enjoy a BBQ lunch in the Library’s gardens at 12:00 noon, and the Placentia Symphonic Band performs at 2:00 p.m. Nixon Library concert on Sun., July 7, saxophonist Ryan Weston and pianist Kirstin Weston. 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 Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., July 8. 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. OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., July 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 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., July 10, 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., July 12, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., July 19, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., July 24, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Mon., July 15, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., July 17, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., July 18, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., MNWD Main Office, 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://mnwd.com/board-of-directors-2/ Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., July 16, 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 SOC912 General Meeting, Fri., July 19, 7:00 p.m. SOC912 meets on third Fridays. Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/ Saddleback Valley Unified School District regular board meeting on Tues., July 16, 6:30 p.m., (third Tuesday due to 4th of July holiday), 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ |
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The Buzz The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., July 8. Doors open at 7:00 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. The guest speaker will be Eyal Aranoff, co-founder of the Fuel Freedom Foundation. His topic will be “Bankrupting Jihad Inc. with $3.00 a Gallon Auto Fuel!” Aranoff is a fuels-choice advocate who will describe a practical path to cheaper, cleaner, American-made fuels. *** Councilman Frank Ury’s political life story: “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Ury wants to run for higher office, but he can’t find an opening. Meanwhile, he’s on the front lines taking hits while enriching PR firms, consultants, developers, contractors and every other trough-feeder. A consultant recently threw him a scrap by mentioning his name as a potential candidate in the frenzy following Cong. John Campbell’s retirement announcement. The June 30 OC Register named Mimi Walters, Don Wagner, John Moorlach, Pat Bates, Dick Ackerman, Steven Choi, Diane Harkey and Harry Sidhu as possible candidates for Campbell’s seat. *** Several months ago, City Manager Dennis Wilberg proclaimed in his newsletter that residents are benefiting from the new right turn lane at the intersection of Olympiad Rd and Alicia Pkwy. He says restriping the northbound lanes on Olympiad solved the traffic backup of vehicles waiting to turn east. Residents responded: WHAT backup was he talking about, and what traffic study determined any need for a turn lane? A few cars waiting for a green light is not a backup. The city eliminated the bike lane (on OLYMPIAD Road!) to create a right-turn lane. In addition to endangering cyclists, the city created another issue. Almost without exception, drivers at that location don’t stop before turning right on red. *** On July 25, 2012, approximately 400 people attended a meeting at the Norm Murray Center to hear about a proposed water purchase for south Orange County. Attendees learned about an attempt to pump the Mojave Desert dry and the corruption of those involved: http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2012/07/cadiz-the-desert-water-pimps/ At the center of the controversy was Cadiz Inc., which was back in the news last week: “Lawyers’ fees to defend challenges to San Bernardino County’s involvement in the Cadiz water-harvesting project in the Mojave Desert have climbed again, to a total of nearly $1.5 million. County supervisors this week approved an additional $500,000 for Downey Brand, a Sacramento-based firm hired to fight Cadiz-related lawsuits by several environmental and conservation groups, a labor union and a salt mining operation. The project would pump water from an ancient underground water basin and pipe it to cities across the state.” http://www.pe.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20130620-san-bernardino-county-cadiz-water-project-legal-fees-climbing.ece#slcgm_comments_anchor *** Here’s another reference to Cadiz from last week, forwarded by a community watchdog with the comment, “The money boys will be getting a windfall on their Cadiz stock - and in the meantime, Cadiz gets a broader ratepayer base to sell its tainted water.” http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20100628005848/en/conservation/groundwater/water *** Post from Larry Gilbert, “Connecticut legislature vs California – Thinking about our Connecticut Capitol tour, I was surprised to learn that they have 151 members in their House of Representatives and 36 State Senators, yet with only 3.6 million residents they are one-tenth the population of CA. So what's the solution? Break up our legislature and create smaller districts where we can have a bigger impact on our local representatives and whose campaign costs would decrease enabling more qualified candidates to participate or remain lean and mean with our current representation where Republicans will remain in the minority.” *** On June 26, Art Pedrosa posted an article, “More OC Crony Capitalism” on OC Politics Blog. *** The next Mission Viejo city council meeting is Mon., July 1. The agenda can be found at http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=2092&doctype=agenda A city watchdog forwarded comments on the following agenda items:
The good news – no unconstitutional police fines are on this agenda. |
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