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CUSD Update On Aug. 28 Mission Viejo homeowners who reside in Community Facilities District 87-1 (Mello-Roos District) got a one-year reprieve from a tax increase. Capo school district trustees decided with a 4-2 vote not to apply the annual 2-percent increase. In Mission Viejo, CFD 87-1 primarily includes homes in Pacific Hills, Quail Run, Auburn Ridge, Calafia, Stone Ridge and a portion of Canyon Crest. Other homes and commercial properties are included, and residents can find out if they’re in CFD 87-1 by checking their property tax bill. The annual 2-percent increase will be suspended for Fiscal Year 2013-2014. Trustees leading the effort said the 2-percent increase is no longer necessary to meet the bond payment or administrative fee requirements. The reprieve for taxpayers in CFD 87-1 was initiated by Trustee Ellen Addonizio, who lives in Mission Viejo but not in CFD 87-1. She ran for office with a campaign of reform and cutting wasteful spending, and she has kept her word. The other reform-minded CUSD trustee who reliably represents taxpayers is Jim Reardon. Trustees Addonizio, Reardon and Anna Bryson said Mission Viejo residents in the Special District have been overburdened in funding school facilities that benefit the entire district. One factor in the outcome last week was the absence Lynn Hatton, a member of the liberal majority. Another liberal trustee, Amy Hanacek, asked for clarification of the motion before voting. Voting in favor of suspending the increase were Addonizio, Reardon, Bryson and Hanacek. Opposed were John Alpay and Gary Pritchard. CFD 87-1 has been a contentious subject for years. Mission Viejo residents who live in the Special District demonstrated that 87-1 tax dollars have been spent in ways that violate the Formation Documents. Residents also discovered CUSD is collecting millions of dollars per year in excess of what is needed to service the 87-1 bond debt and to maintain a bond reserve fund of $3.5 million. Adding to past wrongs – inappropriate use of funds and burdening a small number of Mission Viejo homeowners to pay for facilities in other cities – the public doesn’t know how much has been collected. Despite requests for information, CUSD will not disclose the total. The bond was set to be retired in 2014 but has been extended to 2020, with a potential 2-percent tax increase each year. CUSD homeowners in CFD 87-1 should write to CUSD (get email addresses of trustees at www.capousd.org ) and tell them to end CFD 87-1 as soon as the bond is paid off. Writers should request that all funds in the Special Reserve fund should be used for early retirement of the bond. |
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Turn California Around Republican voter registration declines. Perhaps Republicans are leaving the state. Martin Wisckol writes in the Orange County Register, Democrats look to grow from grassroots, (Sun., Aug. 18, 2013) on how Democrats are making inroads in voter registrations in O.C. At one time the gap between the Rs and the Ds in the county was 22 percent, and now the gap is around 10 percent. Many of those previously registered Republican voters have opted to register as “Decline To State.” That, by itself, does not account for the shrinking size of Republican voter registrations in the county. Is this a result of the party’s policies and local leadership? Is it a result of churning the same old tired termed-out politicians running for other offices? Could it be due to an old “boys club” GOP that allows for no new thinking, or outsiders participating in the politics of the county? It could be any or all of these. I offer that it may be mostly attributed to the exodus of registered Republicans from not only the county, but from the state itself! We also must include the exodus of business, families and factories from the Golden State. In a recent article of Joel Kotkin, “The Road Back,” Mr. Kotkin offers that L.A.- Orange County ranked dead last in everything from unemployment, job creation, congestion and housing costs, as compared to incomes. Between 2007 and 2011, more than 2,500 employers have left California. The list includes small business from dry cleaners, to large box stores shuttering locations in the state. With these closures go thousands of jobs. Beyond small business decline, and national brands leaving the state, California has lost 158 healthy companies so far this year alone (2013-July) to other states and even overseas. From 2009-2012 it is estimated that 855,000 jobs have left California. From 2009-2011, we have witnessed 507 companies wave goodbye to California. In 2011, 28 of those companies were headquartered in Orange County. Examples are Hyundai Capital transferring 71 jobs to Georgia and Texas; Wells Fargo sending 59 jobs to India. Tickets.com moved to Texas. San Diego County has passed Orange County in population. California is not a state known for being a financial center or home to many fortune 1000 companies. California was the golden example of the American dream and small independent business. These dreams are now found in Texas, Idaho, Florida and Arizona. Intel has moved a manufacturing site to Arizona and now a new factory in Oregon. The factory in Oregon means 6,000 to 8,000 construction jobs and 800-1000 high-tech factory jobs. In electricity costs alone, Intel will see a savings of 60 percent. And when the full effect of AB32 takes hold, they could see their electric bill fall 80 percent! Why Oregon? They have state income tax and horrific property taxes. It all has to do with a welcoming of business to the State. Capital if fluid and will always seek the highest rate of return. In 2009, California was rated as No. 6 of all states as having the heaviest tax burden in the country. That was before passage of Prop. 30 raising personal income tax to 13.5 percent and the impact we will start to feel due to AB32. California is annually trading position as having the worst business climate between New York and New Jersey depending on the year. The same can be said about the regulatory environment of these same three states having the highest worker’s compensation costs in the nation. The policies of the ruling class in this state are destroying everything from agriculture to education. Turning off water for agriculture, to Common Core educational philosophy. This includes a minority party that protects their elites at the same time that allows for over 3,000 new legislative laws and regulations a year in the state. Who can sit around and come up with 3,000 ideas? A limited government would be hard put to come up with 30 actions a year. All the while, elected officials concern themselves in financing their next political race beginning immediately after being sworn in to their current office. Many voters feel they have lost a national voice living in California. National candidates only come here to pick up campaign checks. If we could focus on local politics, where you have both a voice and a vote, the outcome would begin to change. City councils, county commissioners, school boards, water districts, and certainly even the GOP Central Committee, have all been running from constituents and listening to the voice of the voting public. If you write a letter/email to your Congressman or Senator, what do you get in return, a form letter? Which statewide legislators and Congressmen have held town hall meetings during their August recess? How many of you, with children in K-12, know what Common Core is? Why was it adopted? Do you favor the philosophy or oppose it? Have you taken a look at candidates running for county offices? What do they support and what have they done while in government? Have they voted for themselves or for their community? Turning around California starts with your involvement and turning around local directions. A dog park in Mission Viejo that will cost more than $1,000,000 was approved by one vote of the city council. We all love dogs, but is this the best use of money in the city? I offered to push for three dog parks in the city for under $300,000 total. Again, by one vote, the Mission Viejo City Council is set to proceed with fining residents for loud parties at their homes. How loud is loud? Who decides? Ever attend a 12-year-old’s birthday party? Why are negotiations between the city and its employees managed in private? Why do the same vendors continue winning city contracts year after year? Are there no competitive bids? Do you vote for politicians heavily funded by outside interests? You may even support those interests, but are you aware of how much they are funding a candidate and what are their motives? Can you name a city in Orange County that can pay for their current pension liabilities? Who is looking out for Mello-Roos overpayments and abuse in your city? You may argue that none of these are Republican or Democrat issues. But we easily understand the platforms of these two parties and Libertarians as well. Residents and businesses are leaving the state because of taxes, regulations and better business conditions elsewhere. They are not leaving because of better weather or beauty of nature. Orange County will face more and more legislation and regulation running our lives as long as we remain uniformed as for whom we are voting. I was shocked to find out how many Mission Viejo residents knew little to nothing about the goings on in the city where they live. An informed population holds all the power. Know what is going on in the city. You are ceding your power to a vocal few. During the last city council campaign your loud voice played an integral role in stopping garish electronic billboards lighting up Kaleidoscope and neighborhoods in the city. Paying attention does not take a lot of time but it results mostly from a desire to educate oneself on issues in the community. Those of us who remain here in Mission Viejo need to participate in local government. No one leaves his or her children, or pets, with a stranger. Why then would you vote for one to run your community? |
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SOC912 Meets on Friday SOC912 will present “Our American Heritage – Black Heroes of the Past and the Renewed Racial Tension,” on Fri., Sept. 6. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The group will meet at the Norm Murray Community Center, Juniper Room A & B, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Ardyce Kehiayan, a local historian and teacher of our American Heritage, will introduce a 30-minute DVD presentation, America's Lost Black Heroes of the Past, a David Barton - Wallbuilders production. Cathy and Kevin Richardson, co-founders of SOC912, will present a discussion on the growing racial tension in America today, thanks in large part to President Obama and the progressives' desire to overwhelm society. SOC912 has five copies of "Thriving in Exile" by Steve Elliott of www.Grassfire.com that will be given away with a "free" raffle at the end of the meeting. (Pick up a raffle ticket at the sign-in table.) Thriving is in its last print and is an uplifting and inspiring resource written in the very early morning hours the day after the November election in 2012. (It was wildly popular!) It was also reported on SOC912’s blogsite. A donation of $5 at the door will help pay for costs of the meeting. Admission is free to first-time visitors and young people through age 24. |
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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. Mount of Olives Church, “Stretch & Pray,” Wed., Sept., 4, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., meets Wednesdays in The ROCK http://moochurch.org/stretch . On Oct. 6 (and the 1st Sunday of each month) bring food for the SHARE Food Drive, http://moochurch.org/share . Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.org/ 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. First Thursday Art Walk, Laguna Beach, Thurs., Sept. 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/ Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta, Dana Point, Thurs.-Sun., Sept. 5-8, yacht racing, stand-up paddleboard racing, pancake breakfast, dinner party and music. Proceeds benefit Dana Point Yacht Club, the Ocean Institute and Adopt-a-Class scholarship, (949) 496-2900, http://www.dpyc.org Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, Dana Point, Fri.-Sun., Sept. 6-8. Tall ship parade on Sept. 6, maritime displays and demos, tours, food and music. Dana Point Harbor, (949) 496-2274, http://www.tallshipsfestival.com “The Taste of St. Kilian” on Sat., Sept. 14, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., food and live music, Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. http://www.tasteofstkilian.com Recycling Drive, Sat., Sept. 21, 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, Thurs., Sept. 19, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (Sept. 19, Oct. 18, Nov. 17, 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/ |
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Political and Government Events Calendar SOC912, Fri., Sept. 6, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., “Our American Heritage – Black Heroes of the Past and the Renewed Racial Tension,” Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. A $5 at the door will help pay for costs; free to first-time visitors and young people through age 24. http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/137078642 Nixon Library concert on Sun., Sept 8, baritone Mark Palmer. Doors open at 1:30 and the concert begins at 2:00 p.m. On Sept. 11, 11:00 a.m., annual remembrance marking the attacks on America, no charge to attend, 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., Sept. 9. 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. The organization meets on the second Monday of the month. Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Sept. 10, 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., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Community Relations on Wed., Sept. 11 at 9:00 a.m.; Engineering and Operations on Mon., Sept. 16, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., Sept. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Sept. 19, 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/ OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., Sept. 11, 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., Sept. 11, 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., Sept. 13, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Sept. 20, and Board of Directors on Wed., Sept. 25, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Sept. 18, 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., Sept. 19, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in July, August and September) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 769-1412. SOC912 General Meeting, Fri., Sept. 20, 7:00 p.m. SOC912 meets on third Fridays. Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/ |
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The Buzz Post from Mission Viejo resident Larry Gilbert: “You can never know what ‘off the cuff’ suggestions you will hear at breakfast meetings. Someone suggested having best-selling author and conservative columnist Ann Coulter portray Hillary Clinton in a future movie. This followed discussion of ‘The Butler’ with traitor Jane Fonda. I wonder what the title should read.” *** Where is the OC Register in reporting Mission Viejo news? During the Aug. 19 council meeting, Mission Viejo resident Brian Skalsky read a police report into the public record. The report quoted a city council candidate, Richard Sandzimier, who said he was never hit or injured in a confrontation on Oct. 8, 2010. Skalsky’s information countered OCR’s coverage of Sandzimier’s claims he was hit by a vehicle. Residents following the story report that Sandzimier has resorted to harassing Skalsky following the Aug. 19 council meeting. *** The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Sept. 9, at the Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. The topic of the program will be “Report from the Fronts: three patriots share successes and insights in the war against jihad.” Featured speakers will be Jim Murphy, Steve Amundson and Steve Martel. *** SOC912 will present “Our American Heritage – Black Heroes of the Past and the Renewed Racial Tension,” on Fri., Sept. 6. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The group meets at the Norm Murray Community Center, Juniper Room A & B, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Speakers will be local teacher/historian Ardyce Kehiayan, SOC912 co-founders Cathy and Kevin Richardson and Steve Magdziak, president of SOC912 Founder’s Club. *** Candidates for 73rd Assembly District in the November 2014 election will be on program for the Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated meeting on Wed., Sept. 18. CVRWF meets for brunch on third Wednesdays of the month, 9:00 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org *** The council will meet on Tues., Sept.3, following the holiday on Monday. The agenda can be found at http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=2105&doctype=agenda . Anyone who cannot attend but would like their comments to become part of the public record can e-mail City Clerk Karen Hamman, asking for inclusion in the public record: KHamman@cityofmissionviejo.org . Don’t forget to reference the Agenda Item number (#8) on your correspondence. *** Look at the Sept. 3 council agenda, Consent Calendar No. 8, Loud Party Ordinance. Passage of this ordinance would jeopardize Constitutional protections for due process and equal protections of the law. Residents should object to this proposed ordinance, which could become law in less than 30 days if a majority approves it on Tuesday. With the first reading on Aug. 19, it was passed on a 3-2 vote, giving police the authority to mail a bill to a party host for cost recovery of police services to shut down a loud party. Per Police Chief Wilson, the bill could be as high as $10,000. Watchdogs object to this ordinance on the basis it is subjective, thereby making it unconstitutional. Following are the concerns:
The ordinance, as written, cannot treat all loud parties in the same way. The citizens, both the party hosts and the complaining neighbor, and the responding police officers, must engage in guesswork to determine when a loud party violates the ordinance, triggering the mailing of a cost recovery bill after a warning is issued. Any council member who wants to proceed with a Loud Party Ordinance should first define guidelines to show the difference between intolerable noise and unwelcome noise. This ordinance is in effect 24 hours a day. Children’s birthday parties, pool parties and gatherings of two will fall under this law. This ordinance can become a tool of retribution against a neighbor. *** Also on the Sept. 3 council agenda, look at Agenda Item No. 9 under Old Business, Review of Management and Budget policies. Residents should ask: are we moving the goal posts because the city cannot reach the goals established in the policy? |
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