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Community News Summary Community Common Sense released a new edition last week. The newspaper, founded in San Juan Capistrano in 2009, began expanding into Mission Viejo in August. The paper fills a void of local coverage, including city council business. By contrast, Saddleback Valley News skips city news in favor of advertorials, columns and press releases written by city employees. CCS distributes 20,000 newspapers each month in Mission Viejo, and it has an online version, http://www.ccsense.com/ The latest edition of CCS includes four articles focusing on Mission Viejo. On the front page is “Charitable Giving: Your Decision or the City’s?” by Steve Magdziak. Steve is president of the SOC912 Founders Board, and he serves on the city’s Community Services Commission. His article covers the city’s controversial practice of giving tax dollars to the city’s choice of charities: http://www.ccsense.com/2013/12/mission-viejo.html On page 8 is Mission Viejo resident Ed Sachs’ article, “The Not-So-Free Freeways – Part 1.” Ed is a business leader with experience in consumer electronics. Read Ed’s article at http://www.ccsense.com/2013/12/mission-viejo_5.html . Officials “shelved” adding toll lanes to freeways recently because of public outcry. Councilman Frank Ury is a candidate for the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and he stated from the council dais that he supports toll lanes on freeways. Elected officials who support toll lanes prefer to bury the subject until after the election. On page 9, readers will find the “Voting Record of Capistrano Unified Trustee Anna Bryson, Candidate for State Assembly 73rd District,” http://www.ccsense.com/2013/12/mission-viejo_1627.html . According to Bryson’s campaign literature, she’s a reform-minded conservative who is “all in” for kids and education. Her record shows she is all in for the teachers union at great expense to kids, education and taxpayers. Bryson voted with the union-supporting majority to create the district’s current $50-million deficit instead of balancing the budget. Larry Gilbert applauds residents who take an interest in holding government accountable. His article about the watchdogs of Mission Viejo appears on page 11, http://www.ccsense.com/2013/12/mission-viejo_8941.html . Gilbert acknowledges that not everyone appreciates the watchdogs’ critical review. He writes, “City staff may cringe when we expose waste and abuse of taxpayer monies. But they cannot silence us, which no doubt frustrates them. One person, and certainly a group, can make a difference if you engage in the sharing of information.” |
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Grants Stir Controversy Additional information is emerging about the contentious council meeting earlier this month. During the Dec. 2 meeting, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht wanted to discuss $75,000 in grants that had been awarded to organizations on Nov. 18, as recommended by the Community Services Commission. One organization receiving a grant was a program for teens, which includes abortion counseling. Another organization received funding to give cell phones to homeless people. No one on the council would second Councilwoman Schlicht’s motion to allow discussion. Also on Dec. 2, Councilwoman Schlicht tried to get the council to pass a resolution in opposition to toll lanes on the 405. Again, no one would second her motion. When it was clear the others wouldn't support the specifics of her resolution, she asked if they would at least pass a resolution to oppose toll lanes on the 405 -- which they would not do. To review the above actions during the Dec. 2 council meeting, watch the video at to http://missionviejo.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=14&clip_id=1266 Regarding Councilwoman Schlicht’s motion to discuss the grants, the matter had been on the agendas of four public meetings:
Is anyone on the council trying to act like Congress – e.g., voting to approve legislation without knowing what's in it? During the Sept. 17 commission meeting, Commission Chairman Bob Breton specifically confirmed that the organization offering counseling for teens presented abortion as an “option.” The commission voted 6-1 to award the grant, with Commissioner Steve Magdziak dissenting. Reardon as mayor has two appointees on the commission, Bob Breton and Judy Bullockus, both of whom knowingly supported a city grant for an organization that offers abortion counseling to teens. The Dec. 2 council meeting marked the fourth airing of grants, although no one seconded Councilwoman Schlicht’s motion. When other council members wouldn’t allow discussion, Councilwoman Schlicht later used her council comments to spell out what the grants covered, including abortion counseling and cell phones for homeless people. At the time Councilwoman Schlicht made the motion for discussion, silence followed. Mayor Reardon then attempted to move to the next item despite two people in the audience who had turned in speaker cards. One of them, Joe Holtzman, asked if he could speak. Reardon told him to be quiet or he would be removed from the room. Reardon obviously didn’t want a discussion of the item. Councilwoman Schlicht then asked the city attorney about procedure and, after some discussion, Holtzman was allowed to speak. In Holtzman’s comments from the public microphone, he revealed that a commissioner should have recused herself on Oct. 15 when a grant was discussed because she had a conflict of interest. He mentioned no names. The next speaker, Wendy Bucknum, said she had done nothing wrong by staying on the dais during the discussion on Oct. 15. The question everyone should ask is why Bucknum had turned in a speaker card for the item on Dec. 2. It appeared the city staff and/or council majority members had anticipated that Councilwoman Schlicht was bringing back the grants item in order to embarrass Bucknum over the conflict of interest. However, Councilwoman Schlicht’s council comments later on demonstrated that her intent was to discuss the grants. A city employee or a council majority member may have alerted Bucknum she should try to deny she had a conflict of interest. They guessed wrong about the nature of the discussion, and Bucknum needlessly identified herself as the person Holtzman was talking about. The council majority members looked foolish for refusing to second a motion to discuss the grants. They looked even more foolish when one of the majority members indicated later she didn’t know what kinds of activities she had voted to fund. The council majority’s refusal to second Councilwoman Schlicht’s anti-toll lane resolution was ridiculous. Mission Viejo residents should remember the four council members who refused to support any resolution against toll lanes are Frank Ury, Trish Kelley, Dave Leckness and Rhonda Reardon. |
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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. La Vida Drum Circle, Tues., Dec. 17, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (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/ St. Kilian’s Recycling Drive, Sat., Dec. 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 Mount of Olives Church “Coming Home” Christmas Show, Sat., Dec. 21, 7:00 p.m.; SHARE Food Drive on Sun., Jan. 5, (first Sunday of each month) helps families in crisis, http://moochurch.org/share . Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.org/ “Miracle on 34th Street” at Camino Real Playhouse, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner by Sarducci’s; evening shows at 8:00 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m., 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 489-8082, http://caminorealplayhouse.org “A Christmas Memory” at The Laguna Playhouse through Dec. 29, new holiday musical based on a story by Truman Capote. Suitable for families; 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://lagunaplayhouse.com Soka University events, The Peking Acrobats on Fri., Jan. 10, 8:00 p.m.; The Diamonds and Billy Richards’ Coasters on Sun., Jan. 12, 3:00 p.m., Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu Mariachis at the Mission, Sat., Jan. 11, 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; second Saturday of each month, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-1300, http://missionsjc.com 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 Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Mon., Dec. 16, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., Dec. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Dec. 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/ Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Dec. 17, 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 Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors will meet on Wed., Dec. 18, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Nixon Library concert on Sun., Dec. 22, A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Doors open at 1:30 pm, and the music begins at 2:00 pm unless otherwise noted. “Trains, Trees & Traditions” Special Exhibit with model trains, railroad scenes and Christmas trees runs through Jan. 5, Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org/ OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., Jan. 8, 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., Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m., and a special meeting is scheduled for Wed., Jan. 15. The board meets at the 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/ Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Jan. 13. 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. Saddleback Valley Unified School District will hold a regular meeting of the board on Tues., Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m.; 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Jan. 15, 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 meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 240-6799 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Jan. 16, 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. |
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The Buzz Art Pedrosa’s Orange County blog spells out the Orange County Transportation Authority’s political game in the 405 widening project: “There’s nothing inherently wicked or wrong with public relations in the private sector, but for an expected-to-be transparent government the question here is why a freeway needs a PR firm? The controversial 405 widening is already off to a bad start as the OCTA Board voted for the least politically impactful single-lane alternative instead of the only slightly more expensive (in relative terms, this is a $1.3 billion project) two-lane choice that could have been made to DOUBLE the pavement width for only a 7.7% increase in cost. The other alternative for toll lanes was a disaster. We’ll presume part of the Flaks’ job is to spin all this in favor of the Board’s decision, and of course there will be the mundane work of dealing with residents in the construction area who’ll need mollification for all that noise and dust. If the widening goes over budget as happened for $50 million with the 22 Freeway, there’ll be excuses to be made to the “stake holders” by the Flaks taking any arrows for OCTA management and the contractors and keeping the complainers out of the Board meetings public comments period.” Read the post for updates about Orange County’s top trough-feeders: http://ocpoliticsblog.com/the-usual-o-c-hacks-line-up-for-an-octa-4-7-million-freeway-pr-contract/ *** Several political clubs and organizations don’t meet in December, including Saddleback Republican Assembly, Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated and the Orange County Republican Central Committee. SRA’s next meeting will be on Thurs., Jan. 16. *** Some Mission Viejo homeowners have been overburdened by a special tax, Mello-Roos 87-1. Areas in 87-1 include Stone Ridge, Canyon Crest, Pacific Hills, Quail Run and several other Mission Viejo neighborhoods. On the Dec. 11 agenda for the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees was a discussion on retiring 87-1 in 2016 instead of 2020 when the last bond ends. Speaking from the public microphone in favor of ending the tax in 2016 was Mission Viejo Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht. Trustees driving the early retirement of 87-1 are Ellen Addonizio of Mission Viejo and Jim Reardon of San Juan Capistrano. Trustees wanting to continue the tax include Lynn Hatton, who represents a portion of Mission Viejo on the CUSD board. The board decided to table the discussion until all trustees are present. Trustee Anna Bryson missed the Dec. 11 meeting. *** Now that the Transportation Corridor Agency is unable to extend the 241 toll road, (as per the bond refinance agreement), there is new movement in improving South County freeways. On Dec. 13, an OC Register article says officials are recommending widening the I-5 south of the El Toro “Y.” Alternative 2 (the preferred option) would add one lane in each direction from Avery Parkway to Alicia Parkway and extend a second HOV lane from El Toro Road to Alicia; add and extend auxiliary lanes; realign and widen the Avery and La Paz Road interchanges and the roadways beneath them. The estimated cost is $472 million. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/alternative-593346-laguna-team.html |
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