Single Page Text Only - 03/24/12

Old Dogs, Old Tricks

On Mar. 19, the Mission Viejo City Council stopped the land swap for a dog park site with a 2-2 vote. After a decade-long tug-of-war, plans are up in the air. As articles on this blog have emphasized, city staff doesn’t want a dog park. In the latest trick, the staff created new obstacles, including a $1-million price tag and a convoluted land swap that short-changed the city.

City activists have pointed to Barbadanes Park as a logical site. The city owns the property, and a portion of the park could be converted to a dog park at a relatively low cost. Dog park supporters have chosen to rely on city staffers who engage them in activities. Last year, dog park supporters entered a national contest to try to win money. There was no dog park, but supporters were busy making a video and voting for themselves online.

As an odd twist, Councilwoman Trish Kelley didn’t vote on the dog park issue during the Mar. 19 meeting. The city attorney advised Kelley to recuse herself because she sits on the OC Parks Commission, which would have been involved in the land swap. When the dog park was proposed in Oso Viejo Park, Kelley first supported it and then opposed it. Of the five council members, Kelley is the most compliant with staff recommendations.

Following an OC Register report on the meeting, dog park supporters made threats on OCR’s website. The threats were directed at council members who voted against the dog park and a resident who made public comments during Mar. 19 meeting. The Register took down the posts following complaints from readers, and the threats were reported to the OC Sheriff’s Dept.

Joe Holtzman responded to the remarks:

If you have been following the Dispatch’s, and Orange County Register’s threads on the dog park, I find them rather revealing. I submitted the following to the Dispatch.

To R. J. Wild. I have never questioned some people’s DESIRE to have a dog park. I do question the costs for the proposed dog park though. The real facts are, as planned now, the dog park would exceed $2.0 million dollars. When we have a park like Barbadanes Park that could accommodate both the DESIRES and needs for a dog park, I question those who are blocking that action.

The cities slopes are in miserable condition; just look at Alicia from Marguerite to the I-5. Just walk the Oso Trail and look at the dead and dying Myoporium. My estimate is that the city’s slopes require at least $7 million to $10 million in renovation. Everyone sees those slopes. Those slopes have a profound effect on YOUR real estate values and the image of the community. So let's fix the slopes before we spend money on a dog park when, in effect we have Barbadanes Park that will do very nicely.

As to CIVILITY, I suggest readers review the posts by the dog park advocates in the latest Orange County Register and judge the civility of some of the dog park advocates. When they post addresses, phone numbers, and places of business to harass certain council members, that is not civility. When certain dog park advocates threaten to bring their dog over to defecate on certain community members’ lawns, that is not civility. When honest proposals are offered up and met with crude and snide comments, that is not civility.

My old football coach once said, “Football does not build character, it reveals it!” Well, you just might look at some of the comments made by some of the folks concerning this issue to understand character in the community.

The Real Ury, Part 1

Councilman Frank Ury is up for reelection in November. His outright lies from the dais are reason for voters to remove him from office, but many people aren’t paying attention. His slick campaign mailers are also false, touting a conservative record he simply doesn’t have.

Ury runs on Other People’s Money, including special interest and city vendors. He also has the backing of some Republican officials. When Councilwoman Trish Kelley asked the Orange County GOP to endorse her in 2010, they said no. Kelley had twice campaigned for and endorsed a Democrat. Ury not only campaigned for and endorsed the same Democrat in 2010, he campaigned for a pro-abortion candidate in 2006. Since he hasn’t supported the Republican slate or principles of the party, how will the OC GOP react to his candidacy this year?

Council minutes and other records document Ury’s actions:

  • Ury on 11-17-08 (Agenda Item 21, during the meeting following his reelection) and 6-21-10 (Agenda Item 24) voted to bestow lifetime medical benefits on part-time council members who serve three four-year terms, and he rescinded benefits twice (on 5-19-08 Item No. 30 and 7-6-10 Item No. 36) to assist campaigns for like-minded majority council members seeking to save their seats. In the final vote eliminating the benefits, Ury cast the sole vote trying to keep lifetime healthcare for himself.
  • Ury’s endorsement of a Democrat occurred in the 2-2-10 and 11-08-10 city elections.
  • Ury on 04-07-08 voted to fund a Rose Parade float and in October 2008 voted to move it forward (the expense exceeded $300K) during the same month the city required liquidating two bonds to meet payroll.
  • Ury on 07-07-08 (Agenda Item 39) voted for a social host ordinance, an infringement on constitutional rights of due process and probable cause.
  • Ury on 1-3-2010 voted to take $1M from reserves to spend on a dog park. On 3-19-12, he voted to proceed with the $1M park, adding an unfavorable land swap in which the city would get only 2.71 acres in return for giving the county 7.18 acres.
  • Ury on 2-1-2010 voted to remove from the city manager’s contract a misconduct clause, whereby the city manager cannot be fired, even if convicted of certain felonies.

Watch for Part 2 of Ury’s record, including council votes that explain why the city is into its third year of deficit spending. Ury has consistently supported redevelopment, and he authored the effort to establish the city’s Housing Authority. His irresponsible acts on the council also led to the city being sued by the state.

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.

Concerts at Soka University: Bill Kanengiser & Shingo Fujii on Wed., Mar. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Jazz Monsters featuring Gerald Wilson’s Big Band on Fri., Apr. 13, 7:00 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu/news_events/events/default.aspx

Mount of Olives Church, “Share – Food Collection,” Sun., Apr. 1, bring non-perishable food donations and place them in marked bins around campus, collecting for South County Outreach and Southwest Community Center, Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.info@moochurch.com

First Thursday Art Walk, Laguna Beach, Thurs., April 5, 6:00 p.m., member galleries throughout Laguna Beach, including the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive at North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://firstthursdaysartwalk.com/

Laguna Dance Festival, April 5-15, headlined by River North Dance Chicago and BalletX, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 715-5578, http://www.lagunadancefestival.org

La Vida Drum Circle, Fri., April 6, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (May 5, June 4, etc.). Drummers are welcome to bring their own drums or use an extra the group has. Firewood is appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/full-moon-drum-circle/

Quarter Mania fundraiser to benefit A Way of Life retreat for women who have had cancer, Sat., April 7, auction from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Doors open at 10:45 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m., $20 cost includes lunch. OLN Conference Center, 1938 Avenida del Oro, Oceanside. RSVP by March 23, Sue LaVoie, 6516 California Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805. For more information, call Sue LaVoie, (562) 480-4163, or Melissa Maki, (619) 840-0970.

Sunset Wine Tasting, Fri., Apr. 20, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Dana Point Yacht Club, 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point, (800) 797-7753, http://www.californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html

“California Gold” exhibit, through Sept. 30, open Tues. through Sun., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600, http://www.bowers.org/index.php/art/exhibitions_listing/current

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/

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Michaels, ongoing and new classes throughout March: sewing, Wilton Decorating, painting 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: how to sew, decorate cakes, quilt, knit, crochet and more, 26672 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch, (949) 588-7420, http://Joann.com

Political and Government Events Calendar

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Mar. 26. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5 p.m., followed by adjournment to closed session, open session reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., adjournment by 9:00 p.m. Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room, Room 145, Health Sciences/District Offices Building, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4999, https://www.socccd.edu

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., Mar. 27, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors/Meeting%20Schedule

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet Tues., Mar. 27, “if necessary.” The next regular board meeting will be on Tues., April 3, 6:30 p.m., at the district office, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.org/p_subject.asp?sid=4835&sm=a3

Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Board of Directors on Wed., Mar. 28, 7:00 p.m., Engineering Committee on Fri., Apr. 13, 7:30 a.m., Finance Committee on Fri., Apr. 20, 7:30 a.m.; 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html

Annual OC Children’s Water Education Festival at the Nixon Library and Museum, Wed.-Thurs., Mar. 28-29, focus on environmental protection and conservation of natural resources,18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting on Mon., Mar. 28, 7:00 p.m., 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/

Concert at the Nixon Library: Sun., Apr. 1, Orange County Chamber Orchestra. No concert on Easter Sunday, April 8. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Concerts are free and open to the public. Schedule is subject to change. Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts/

ACT for America, Mon., Apr. 9; the meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker Robert Reyto, D.D.S., is a survivor of the Nazi Holocaust and communist tyranny. His topic will be “The Myths and Realities of the Qur’an.” The meeting will be held at the Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Investment on Wed., Apr. 11, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Mon., Apr. 16, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Apr. 18, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Apr. 19, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Live Broadcast of the Hugh Hewitt Show, Thurs., April 12, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring Del Wilber, author of “Rawhide Down: the Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan,” Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org

Rush Limbaugh Club of OC, Sat., April 14, breakfast meeting 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Casta Del Sol Golf Club, 27601 Casta Del Sol Road, Mission Viejo. RSVP to Bruce Brown, (949) 487-5288 or limbaughcluboc@aol.com . http://www.rushlimbaughcluboc.com

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Apr. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., program to be announced, Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano, RSVP to Sue Schultz, (949) 240-6799, esue39@cox.net.

Saddleback Republican Assembly meets on Thurs., Apr. 19, 7:00 p.m.; program to be announced. SRA meets on third Thursdays at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 360-1717.

El Toro Water District meetings: Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., Apr. 24, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Apr. 26, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com/

Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated, Thurs., Apr. 26, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., program to be announced, Aliso Viejo Conference Center, 31 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo, RSVP to (949) 859-2818.

Celebration of Justice, save the date, Sat., May 12, 5:00 p.m., Pacific Justice Institute fundraiser, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim.

The Buzz

City hall has received complaints from business owners and others trying to make a living in Mission Viejo. The city uses tax dollars to compete with business – everything from classes and services to showing “free” movies and distributing “free” merchandise. When City Hall invades the private sector, small businesses cannot compete, particularly during a recession. While the idea of a farmers market is a good thing, city hall is hosting a taxpayer-subsidized market directly across the street from two grocery stores. The city is distributing “free” (taxpayer purchased) reusable bags at the market – made in China, of course.

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In addition to two great grocery stores near La Paz and Marguerite – Ralphs and Trader Joe’s – Mission Viejo is fortunate to have a neighborhood market at Marguerite and Trabuco. Ranch Market is the smaller sister store to Mission Ranch Market at 23166 Los Alisos Blvd.

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An old friendship of Barack Obama might come back to haunt him. Did the parents of former Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers help finance Obama’s Harvard education? Did Ayers’ mother believe Obama was a foreign student? A retired U.S. Postal Service carrier, Allen Hutton, who delivered mail to Tom and Mary Ayers in a Chicago suburb in the late 1980s and early 1990s and claims to have met Obama in front of the Ayers home, emphatically says yes. Hutton says that in conversations with Mary Ayers while on his route he learned of the couple’s enthusiasm and support for a black foreign student. http://www.teaparty.org/article.php?id=2754

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Update from Mission Viejo Chapter Leader Bruce Mayall, ACT for America: Robert Reyto, D.D.S., will be the group’s featured speaker on Mon., April 9, 7:30 p.m., at the Mission Viejo Community Center. Reyto’s topic will be “The Myths and Realities of the Qur’an: what every infidel needs to know about Islam’s sacred texts.” Muslims believe that the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammad by the angel Gabriel. In it the self-appointed prophet reveals Allah's eternal commands for Muslims. For almost 1,400 years devout Muslims have followed these commands. But, much to their detriment, few non-Muslims know what the Qur'an says. Ignorance may be blissful, but ignorance of the Qur'an is dangerous. Islamists say their ideology is a misunderstood "religion of peace." But 14 centuries of jihad, bloodshed and conquest contradict their story. They don't want infidels to know their true history, doctrines and intentions. But, to understand the intentions of Islamists in America and around the world, one must know about Islam's sacred texts.

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The OC Register’s 3-22-12 article about the housing development plan to the east, Rancho Mission Viejo, included an interesting comment. City Manager Dennis Wilberg was quoted, “I’m encouraged to see the economy has picked up to the point where they’re actually moving forward with some development.” Why would Wilberg be encouraged by housing that will bring a tsunami of traffic through Mission Viejo? Oh – he lives in Lake Forest. For any Mission Viejo resident who isn’t concerned about the impact, look for a description in the comments, http://missionviejodispatch.com/business/new-neighboring-city-begins/

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Mission Viejo Tea Party Patriots are planning a Tax Day protest. Because April 15 falls on a Sunday this year, the rally will take place on Monday, April 16 – save the date. Saddleback Republican Assembly will support the event.

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