Follow the Money Boys

An article in the June issue of “Capistrano Common Sense” identified some of the players in South County’s power clique: http://www.ccsense.com/2013/06/big-money-in-small-town-politics.html

The article outlined complaints of two San Juan Capistrano residents about the activities of political consultant Roger Faubel:

• OCTax PAC shares Faubel’s business address, and as an officer of OC Taxpayers, Faubel signed their most recent tax returns in 2010 and 2011;
• OCTax PAC spent nearly $10,000 on mailers promoting Sam Allevato and Ginny Kerr for City Council;
• OC Taxpayers, SDG+E and the Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA) are all Faubel clients. SDG+E has a large SJC expansion project pending approval in San Juan, and the OCTA granted SJC substantial sums of taxpayer monies from Measure M (gasoline tax) funding for SJC projects.
• Jonathan Volzke former Capistrano Dispatch Editor, was hired by Faubel shortly after an article appeared in the Dispatch promoting the proposed SDG&E expansion project in San Juan. SDG+E became Volzke’s client when he was hired by Faubel. Volzke also wrote “Guest Columns” in the Dispatch promoting Allevato and Kerr, prior to the City Council election.
• Another Faubel client is the Orange County Transportation Agency (“OCTA”) which reportedly awarded $108,000 of public monies to Faubel to do “community outreach” to San Juan businesses during the I-5 interchange construction. The award of the no-bid contract was criticized by Council members Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve, who expressed concern about the appearance of impropriety, given Faubel’s and Volzke’s very public promotion of Sam Allevato during the campaign, and due to Faubel and Volzke’s very public efforts to defeat Byrnes and McCarthy. Allevato publicly supported the award of OCTA (taxpayer) funds to Faubel & Associates.
• Lysa Ray Campaign Services has the OC Taxpayers Association as a client. During the election, Lysa Ray established a PAC called “Residents for Reform”. During the campaign, Residents for Reform sent out a mass email which included residents in San Juan featuring a re-print of an OC Register article. The headline was altered, falsely and libelously claiming, “State will investigate Burns (sic) and McCarthy for money laundering”. No such violation ever existed or was alleged to exist.
• Lysa Ray’s PAC also paid for a “robo call” to San Juan voters on the eve of the election, featuring former Mayor Wyatt Hart (a former client of Ray’s) accusing Byrnes and McCarthy of being investigated for “illegal activities”.
• Lysa Ray also employed “Delta Partners” in her clients’ campaign to oppose Roy Byrnes and Kim McCarthy. Delta Partners is a political consulting firm headed by David Ellis of Newport Beach who served on the Board of OC Taxpayers in 2007.

OCPoliticsblog.com picked up the article, adding a cartoon, “Foibles of Faubel,” and reader comments: http://ocpoliticsblog.com/are-roger-faubel-and-the-octax-pac-up-to-no-good-in-san-juan-capistrano/

The July issue of “Capistrano Common Sense” contains articles about the proposed 241 extension and the city of San Juan Capistrano’s water fiasco. http://www.ccsense.com/

Follow the money boys as they buy council majority votes and cash in on transportation, water, electricity and housing.

ACT for America News

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.

ACT! for America Chapter President Bruce Mayall is requesting volunteers to help with meetings. He writes, “We need a few volunteers to help at the front table before each chapter meeting to welcome our members/visitors as they arrive, make change for the requested $5 donation, and hand out name labels. If you can help in this effort it will be much appreciated! You would need to arrive about 7:00 p.m. or a little earlier if you can manage that. Please notify me at ACT.MV@cox.net if you are available for this.”

ACT! for America’s annual potluck, which substitutes for the August meeting, will be held Sat., Aug. 3, starting at 4:00 p.m.  The venue will be the Laguna Woods clubhouse room (Dining Room 3). This venue includes a kitchen, spacious facilities, and a lovely outdoor patio area with a great view, well shaded in the afternoon. Seating can be indoors or out, as desired.

Directions to the venue:  From I-5, take El Toro Road west (toward the ocean) and turn right onto Moulton Parkway.  Turn right into the Laguna Woods golf course at the next traffic light, near the top of the grade.  At the gate, identify yourself as Tom Special's guest. The clubhouse is on the immediate left, slightly uphill from the entrance road.  Ample parking is available.

The Steering Committee decided on a late afternoon social event rather than a mid-day picnic to avoid the summer sun.  While this communication is going to all chapter members, we are not considering it a chapter event.  You are welcome (and encouraged) to bring friends and family along. 

Because this is a private facility, we will need a head count as the date approaches.  RSVP to Bruce Mayall by July 31, preferably earlier, at ACT.MV@cox.net with the number in your party. 

Please select one or more items from the suggested list below and identify your selection(s) in your response.  Plates, tableware, cups, and napkins will be provided for the event as well as a food item TBD.  If you're providing cold beverages (sodas, ice tea, etc.) please bring ice. Choose from: Appetizer, Salad, Main entrée, Dessert, Beverage, Other (use your imagination). A sign-up list will also be available at Monday's meeting.

Past potlucks have been quite successful – please participate if at all possible.  There will be plenty of food & drink and good camaraderie all around.  Hope to see you there

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.

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/

Mariners Church presents concerts on Saturdays following the 5:00 p.m. service. On July 13 – The Natures; on July 20 – Lowly Spects; on July 27 – Tyrone Wells. 5001 Newport Coast /drive, Irvine (949) 769-8100, http://www.marinerschurch.org

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

Concerts at Lake Mission Viejo on Saturdays: 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

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/

Laguna Playhouse presents “I Do! I Do!” through Aug. 11, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Pageant of the Masters through Aug. 31, “The Big Picture,” 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (800) 487-3378, http://www.foapom.com/

Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily through Sept. 1, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030, http://www.sawdustartfestival.com/

Political and Government Events Calendar

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

Nixon Library concert on Sun., July 14, pianist Howard Cowles. Doors open at 1:30 and the concert begins at 2:00 p.m. “Meet President Teddy Roosevelt” at the Nixon Library on Tues., July 16. 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

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

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/

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/

The Buzz

Mission Viejo’s July 1 council meeting was more bizarre than usual. For example, the contractor (All City Management Services – ACMS) that provides crossing guards to help schoolchildren cross streets was poised to have its contract renewed. However, some of the guards had attended several council meetings to protest the new contract’s reduction of their hours. The council hadn’t negatively reacted until two ACMS managers spoke from the public microphone to announce diminished service for the cuts in hours and pay. (Item No. 30, view the video: http://missionviejo.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=12&clip_id=1000 ) The crossing guards in the audience at first applauded their managers’ remarks but then changed their mind when the council said ACMS would not get the contract. The city staff indicated no Plan B had been prepared, and city administrators could not provide the name of another qualified bidder for the contract. The discussion also revealed ACMS wasn’t the lowest bidder.

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With budget matters at stake during the July 1 council meeting, some groups in the audience were competing for taxpayer bucks by attacking other groups’ pet projects. Also on the agenda (Item No. 28) was the dog park, which received an additional $888,888 from the council majority (Leckness, Kelley, Ury). Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht recommended other sites for a low-cost dog park that wouldn’t negatively impact adjacent homes. The council majority forged ahead, throwing more money into an oversize parcel with unstated costs, including an unfavorable land swap with the county. Schlicht reminded the council majority that a city survey demonstrated residents didn’t support a dog park, and those who wanted one didn’t support an expensive one. The additional cost of $888,888 was mistakenly reported by the OC Register as being funded by park fees from developers. It is not, as park funds were already spent. Nothing new, but City Manager Dennis Wilberg tripped himself up when he was asked about funding. His answer was unintelligible, but he indicated dog park funds would come from park fees.

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Of the three council members supporting the $888,000 addition, Leckness is up for reelection in November 2014, and Ury appears to think he is running for higher office. Trish Kelley terms out in 2014 (when she completes three terms after promising she would serve only one term and “NEVER” participate in negative campaigning). Three council seats will be up for election in November 2014. Leckness will likely run again, and at least two council wannabes are jumping up and down at every public meeting – Wendy Bucknum and Bob Breton. Bucknum was the electronic billboards proponent who lost her council bid in 2012. Breton was on the council years ago before stepping down following a snafu to fund the library. Several architectural firms said Breton coerced them to donate to a campaign for a chance to bid on a contract. Maybe he thinks it was so long ago no one remembers http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/robert-d-breton

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Another group that was represented at the July 1 council competition for tax dollars was a homeowner association. The HOA member said city hall should beautify the medians along La Paz between Marguerite Parkway and Olympiad Road. Apparently, some residents don’t understand why the La Paz median improvements abruptly end at Marguerite or why certain corners have a million lights at Christmas. The top administrators in city hall (who live in Lake Forest, Irvine, etc.) like to have nice surroundings on their drive to work. As for La Paz east of Marguerite, city hall occupants don’t venture beyond the community center. Besides that, city hall has already created a display for residents at La Paz and Olympiad. It’s a staging area for equipment, signage and portable toilets that are used during city hall events.

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Councilman Dave Leckness threw a temper tantrum during the meeting when two of his pet projects were voted down. He wanted tax dollars for more “art” (Another Rattay Travesty) along Crown Valley Parkway and recharging stations for electric vehicles. After the items were rejected, Leckness’ first attacked Trish Kelley, and then he said Ury wasn’t smart enough to vote for the recharging stations. The budget discussions revealed how aggressive city hall has become at pursuing grant money. As one question, how many city employees are on the payroll as grant writers? As another matter, should a city bragging about its affluence and hefty reserves be grabbing tax dollars (“grants”) for the sake of changing banners every other week on street corners, erecting stone outhouses, placing oversize brown pots and junk on medians and decorating “bears around town”? The result of the city’s grant writing has largely been make-work projects and growing the city staff to 270 employees.

Another item that didn’t get unanimous support was the city’s lobbyist, Townsend Public Affairs, essentially asking taxpayers to fund a layer of bureaucracy between voters and their state legislators. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht added into the public record the lobbyist’s political donations to campaign funds, in support of her comment that vendors are buying influence. She also pointed out that Townsend lobbies for other cities, and Mission Viejo is competing with Townsend’s other clientele for the same tax dollars. Since tax dollars are not “free,” elected officials should start saying no to more debt.

The city’s two-year budget passed with a 3-2 vote. On her “no” vote, Councilwoman Schlicht explained she did not accept that raising staff’s pay range was acceptable following the vote earlier this year for a pay raise. She added that the budget contained too much social spending at the expense of infrastructure, and the city is increasingly competing with the private sector. Councilman Ury likes to say “the council owns the budget,” but the council majority forgets the taxpayer has to pay for it.

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“If you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and would achieve nothing.”  ― Margaret Thatcher

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Col. Joe Snyder, a retired Marine, former mayor of Dana Point and a member of VFW Post 9934, is spreading the word about an upcoming event in San Juan Capistrano. The VFW is among organizations partnering with Torch 1975 to sponsor a golf tournament at San Juan Hills Golf Club on Mon., July 15, benefiting the military, their families, Wounded Warriors and Veterans’ issues. Torch 1975 was founded by Jessica Nguyen, a POW’s daughter and war survivor / victim. The golf tournament celebrates the centennial birthday of President Gerald Ford and commemorates his humanitarian act in 1975, authorizing $2 million to evacuate Asian American orphans from Saigon who would otherwise have been slaughtered. Known as Operation Baby Lift, it resulted in 2,700 children being adopted in the United States, plus 1,300 in other countries. To learn more about the July 15 golf tournament, call (714) 323-4400 or visit http://www.torch1975.org

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