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Tyrants Rule in SJC When has a government banned newspapers anywhere? Joining the ranks of Islamabad and Kabul is the city of San Juan Capistrano. The SJC-based newspaper Community Common Sense published an article on Nov. 1, outlining how the SJC council majority became so confused. Transparency, not Tyranny The on-going attempts by certain city officials to intimidate and silence those who disagree with or question their decisions have reached a new and unfortunate low. We refer to the latest tactic by councilmen Sam Allevato, Larry Kramer and John Taylor, who voted to place on the November 5 council agenda a discussion of whether they should report councilmen Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve to the Grand Jury, alleging Brown Act violation and breach of fiduciary responsibility, and censure of Reeve for ethics violations. The allegations leveled against Byrnes and Reeve are patently false. We know this because they revolve around the present ban of all newspapers including the Community Common Sense (CCS) on public property. Read more at http://www.ccsense.com/2013/11/san-juan-capistrano_2.html#more |
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Ming Gains Support Dear Friends, Knowing the 5th District of our Board of Supervisors, and the upcoming June election, there is no question that Laguna Niguel Mayor Robert Ming is the best person for this post. I strongly support his candidacy and will be active in promoting him. Some background on Robert: He "received his B.A. in political science from Azusa Pacific University where he graduated as the Most Outstanding Political Science Student." Robert then "went to Pepperdine Law School where he graduated Valedictorian and received American Jurisprudence Awards (the highest single grade in a class)." Robert and his wife Susie first met at Southern CA Christian High School in Anaheim. They have been married for 21 years and have four children. Having spent some time with Robert, I can report that he is a solid fiscal and social conservative and will have my support in this campaign. |
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ACT! for America The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Nov. 4, at the Norman 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 meeting date was changed to the first Monday of the month for November. Guest speakers will be Ron Williams and Dr. Manny Tau. The program topic will be “Identifying and Deterring Potentially Deadly Behavior -- Two Top Threat Management Experts Share their Survival Tactics.” Williams and Tau are personal security experts. From the announcement: From Columbine high school in Colorado to the Westgate Mall in Niarobi, the world is becoming a dangerous place. How can you protect yourself if you suspect trouble or are caught in the middle of a violent situation? What You Will Learn:
Ron Williams served in United States Secret Service for 22 years. He supervised all divisions of the Los Angeles Field Office, including the Presidential Protection Squad and the elite Counter Assault Team designed to defeat terrorist attacks. He was responsible for all security planning and logistics for heads-of-state visits to Los Angeles, personally protecting Presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, as well as Queen Elizabeth, Yitzhak Shamir and Pope John Paul. He earned the United States Secret Service Director's Award for Special Achievement, on eight different occasions. Williams is the CEO of the Talon Companies, a suite of firms that provide security consulting, including critical infrastructure protection that requires Top Secret clearance. He is a frequent guest on Fox News Channel and other national TV shows. He was the keynote speaker at the Alabama Governor's Conference on Violence in the Workplace Prevention and has shared his expertise and insights with dozens of organizations and associations throughout America. Dr. Manny Tau is a forensic psychologist who works in the area of threat assessment and active threat management. He has been a workplace/school-place/personal violence and threat management consultant throughout the United States since 1995. He also works with many government and private organizations to develop their violence-prevention programs. Dr. Tau has over 10 years’ experience in the psychiatric hospital setting, and he was the clinical director of an inpatient psychiatric program providing comprehensive services for psychological disorders and substance abuse. Dr. Tau currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals -- San Diego Chapter. Williams and Tau will speak for about 50 minutes, followed by questions from the audience for 20 minutes. A $5 donation will be appreciated to help cover meeting costs. Bruce Mayall is the Mission Viejo Chapter Leader. Sign up for ACT! for America chapter announcements at www.act4oc.org |
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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. 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. Orange County Wine Cruise at Dana Wharf, ongoing, Fridays and Sundays, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., aboard a luxury catamaran. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, (949) 496-5794, http://www.danawharf.com/cruises.html Concordia University’s Studio Theatre presents “Falling,” Fri.-Sat., Nov. 8-9, 7:30 p.m., drama about a family raising an autistic teenager, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 854-8002, http://www.cui.edu/AcademicPrograms/Undergraduate/Music/tabid/302/ctl/Details/Mid/2322/I temID/161/Default.aspx 12th Annual Concert of Thanksgiving, fundraiser for Teen Challenge, dinner and program – two events: Mon., Nov. 11, Orange County First Assembly, 1440 East Santa Clara, Santa Ana, and Tues., Nov. 12, Ocean Hills Community Church, 32222 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano. RSVP to Omar Tellez, P.O. Box 236, Santa Ana, CA 92702, (714) 835-8822, omar.tellez@teenchallenge.org St. Kilian’s Recycling Drive, Sat., Nov. 16, 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 Soka University concerts: solo piano recital by Vladimir Feltsman on Sun., Nov. 17, 3:00 p.m.; Jay White’s tribute to Neil Diamond on Sat., Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m., Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu La Vida Drum Circle, Sun., Nov. 17, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (Nov. 17, Dec. 17, Jan. 16, Feb. 15, 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/ The Laguna Playhouse presents Val Kilmer in “Citizen Twain,” Thurs. – Sun., Nov. 21-24, The Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com Mount of Olives Church, Sun., Dec. 1, (first 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/ Holiday Ice Rink, Irvine Spectrum Center, private and group skate lessons are available, open daily through Feb. 17, Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, (949) 753-5180, http://www.skatespectrum.com |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Nov. 4. 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. Note the change of date to the first Monday of the month for this meeting. “Meet Ann Coulter” on Mon., Nov. 4, 7:00 p.m., Nixon Library Distinguished Speakers Series Lecture and Book Signing. Nixon Library concert on Sun., Nov. 10, concert pianist Jerry Wong, doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 2:00 p.m. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Nov. 5, 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 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., Nov. 6, 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., Nov. 8, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Nov. 15, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., Nov. 20, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com SOC912, Fri., Nov. 8, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. A $5 donation 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/145277542/ OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., Nov. 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 Saddleback Valley Unified School District regular board meeting on Tues., Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Personnel and Salary on Wed., Nov. 13, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Mon., Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., Nov. 20, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Nov. 21, 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/ Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Nov. 20, 11:30 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. This month, the organization is hosting its annual luncheon. CVRWF usually meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 240-6799 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in July, August and December) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 769-1412. Holiday Open House hosted by State Senator Mark Wyland, Wed., Dec. 4, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., supporting his food drive for Serra’s Pantry. Needed items include canned items (tuna, chicken, vegetables and fruit) or dry pasta, Guests are invited to enjoy conversation and refreshments, 27126A Paseo Espada, #1621, San Juan Capistrano. Please RSVP to (949) 489-9838. (Paid for with private funds, not tax dollars,) |
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The Buzz Celebrate Veterans Day at the Nixon Library on Mon., Nov. 11, with free events all day. At 11:00 a.m. Bryan Bender of The Boston Globe will discuss “You Are Not Forgotten: The Story of a Lost World War II Pilot and a Twenty-First-Century Soldier’s Mission to Bring Him Home.” Enjoy patriotic music, including a performance at 2:00 p.m. by the Placentia Symphonic Band. Visit the Nixon Library at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org/ai1ec_event/honor-america-on-veterans-day/?instance_id= *** Learn how to sign up and use Facebook and Twitter at SOC912’s meeting on Fri., Nov. 8, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring their cell phone and/or laptop for hands-on instruction. The group meets at the Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. A $5 donation 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/145277542/ *** The agenda for the council’s Nov. 4 meeting is posted on the city website, http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=2109&doctype=agenda *** When did Mission Viejo City Hall become the department of health, education, welfare and entertainment? Taxpayers would be outraged if they knew how much they’re paying for city administrators’ feel-good activities. Six month ago, Councilwoman Rhonda Reardon asked the staff to identify costs of city-funded festivals, parties and programs. Despite follow-up reminders, the staff has not produced a complete list. The initial directive was given during a council meeting to the city’s chief financial officer who makes more than $100,000 a year. *** While the city staff won’t report the cost of fun and games to the council during a public meeting, note an item published Nov. 1 in the Legal & Public Notices section, page 17, of the Saddleback Valley News. The notice is titled “City of Mission Viejo Cities Financial Transactions Report--Consolidated Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance/Working Capital Consolidated Statement.” From the report: Expenditures Net of Functional Revenues *** Could the category “Culture and Leisure” possibly be the information the city CFO was directed to report to the council six months ago? If so, no wonder city administrators have been sitting on it. The amount alone is outrageous. As an additional issue, the city is competing with private-sector services, programs, entertainment and everything else the government shouldn’t be doing. The category of Culture and Leisure doesn’t account for how many of the city’s 275 employees are involved in all of these non-essential activities. To calculate the true cost of Culture and Leisure, add the benefits and pensions of non-essential employees to the non-essential activities. *** Flea-borne typhus – it’s not just a disease, it’s a new topic for Councilman Dave Leckness to crack jokes about. Residents who tune in to almost any council meeting can observe Leckness making fun of Orange County’s Vector Control. Along with being Mission Viejo’s No. 1 embarrassment, Leckness was appointed by Mayor Rhonda Reardon as the city’s Vector Control representative. His only qualification (in contrast with competent people who applied) was that he wanted the appointment. During his reports on Vector Control activities, Leckness gets loud guffaws from the council majority when he jokes about death and disease in Orange County. According to the Nov. 1 OC Register, more than 100 cases of typhus have been reported in OC during the past seven years. *** During the Oct. 21 city council meeting, an audit of city-held credit cards was requested by Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht. Her tracking of CAL-Cards revealed 30 city staffers in eight departments are using the cards, and the expenses (now totaling more than $250,000 a year) have never been audited. Councilman Leckness said during the meeting, “Instead of only Councilwoman Schlicht digging in, maybe all the council members should be looking at the city’s check register.” Yes, it’s their job, which council majority members clearly aren’t doing. In November 2014, Councilmembers Leckness and Reardon will be up for re-election and Councilwoman Trish Kelley will term out. |
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