Communty Common Sense - November 2016 by Community Common Sense

NOVEMBER 2016 – VOL 6, 11

YOUR COMMUNITY WATCHDOG

Community Common Sense

In this Issue... San Juan Capistrano City's Failure to Resolve On-Going Violations Prompts Calls for Action Page 1 A Holiday Message from the Mayor Page 2 Widen the Ortega... And Then What? Page 3 Infrastructure Failures a Result of Poor Planning and Budgeting Pages 4 City Manager; a 9-Month Review Page 5 SJC Vaqueros - The Real Cowboys Page 6 & 7 CPUC President Removes Judge Who Advocated for Safer SDG&E Alternative Page 9 City Council Candidate Recommendations Page 10

City’s Failure to Resolve On-going Code Violations Prompts Calls for Action In the September edition of the CCS, we reported that multiple Notices of Violation had been issued to Blenheim Facilities Management, the company hired by the City to “manage” the 70-acre Riding Park at the Eastern Open Space. The code violations include:

cal contractor required to evaluate and test existing electrical system (open J-boxes, missing covers on junction boxes, etc.) Blenheim Facilities Man● “Sec. 9-3.553. Temporary agement to uses: All RV's have exceeded provide letter the temporary use status of from contracHorse washing stations draining to the 10 days. Remove all RV's and tor verifying cease persons from living in that all electri- protected creek habitat triggered notice of violation from the regional water oversight the RV's.” cal is safe and authority compliant with (including hay storage struc● “Sec. 3-1.101. Licenses: code. Follow-up in 10 days.” tures) throughout the Rid[Commercial nursery] is This violation includes the ing Park, as well as buried prohibited from conducting presence of multiple extrapartially underground. business from the park. In addition to the violaCease and the remove tions of the City’s codes, all of [the commercial on October 3 the San Diego business’] wares.” Water Quality Board, which This violation was in has oversight authority for reference to hundreds the protected creek habitat, of commercial nursfollowed up on a previous ery pots stored on the Notice of Violation sent to property by Steven’s City Manager Ben Siegel in Nursery however, the August. The Water Board City now claims that stated that the City had failed Blenheim is allowed to resolve violations related to store the pots on the to the contamination of San publicly owned propJuan Creek at the Riding erty after all. Park property. Follow up contact with the Water Board ● “Electrical code on October 17 revealed that violations ‘Notice to the issues remained unreCorrect’: Permit resolved. quired for electrical al- One of three PVC pipes that drain terations (buried tempo- from the Riding Park into San Juan The Water Board’s notice to Creek were ordered removed by the rary cords, temporary the City Manager stated in San Diego Water Board lighting on structures, part, “…The City is in violatemporary lighting exceeding long extension cords affixed tion of the following provi90 days). Licensed electrito temporary structures sions of Order R9 2009-0002:

Community Common Sense

♦ A - PROHIBITIONS AND RECEIVING WATER LIMITATIONS ♦ B - NON-STORM WATER DISCHARGES ♦ F.3a - EXISTING DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT ♦ F.4 - ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION.” Specific violations requiring corrective action include: ● PVC pipes sticking out of the creek bank and draining into the creek in at least three locations (removal required). ● A “shower trailer” with three shower stalls which appear to drain into the creek (removal required). ● Multiple horse wash stations which appear to illegally drain into the creek (establishment of water containment system required). ● “Gray water” draining from numerous housing trailers and RVs, which are prohibited on open space (removal of trailers and RVs required). Commissioners on the City’s Parks, Recreation, Youth and Senior Services Commission (“PRYSS”), who have monitored public health and safety issues at the Riding Park since the code violation notices were issued in Story continued on page 8...

A Message from the Mayor… Dear San Juan Neighbor, As my term as mayor nears its end, I reflect on all I've worked on these past eleven months, and am most thankful for the time spent as the Chair of the City's Adopted 1/11th Battalion Marines. Spending time getting to know members of the 1/11th Battalion, its commanding officers, and family members has truly been the most rewarding experience for me since serving on council. It is an honor to get to know these exceptional people who do so much for our country. Each one is without exception respectful, caring, helpful, and so appreciative for what we, the residents of San Juan Capistrano, do for them. By participating in the City's Adopted Committee, we gain more than we give because we acquire a new perspective about how precious freedom is, how much we take our liberties for granted, and how great the cost is to protect these freedoms. Taking things for granted runs the risk that we might lose things that we realize, after the fact, are precious. I am asking, as the season of giving begins, that you join me in supporting our Marines of the 1/11th Battalion. All contributions are tax deductible. Here is how you can help:

About the Community Common Sense The CCS is a non-partisan community watchdog publication, distributed to homes and businesses in our local communities. We were established in 2009 by a group of residents who recognize that tax dollars are often spent in ways that enrich a select few, while average residents are left with the resulting increases to cost of living, traffic and debt. We believe knowledge is power, and are committed to reporting facts not offered in other publications. Aided by Public Records Act requests for information and extensive research, we print fact-based information about fiscal and quality of life issues which enables residents to make educated decisions about local leadership.

We do the homework – you decide!

♦ Baby shower gifts for infants to six months, for the semi-annual 1/11th Battalion baby shower ♦ Donations of prom dresses and evening gowns for the upcoming Marine black tie event celebrating the 1/11th Battalion birthday ♦ Monetary contributions to help offset the cost to the Marines to attend the Marine formal, for which each Marine is otherwise purchasing two tickets to the event ♦ Opening your home to a few Marines for Thanksgiving dinner for those who are far away from home and would otherwise be spending a lonely Thanksgiving on the base. These contributions make a world of difference to the young men and women and their families, who are making huge sacrifices for our comfort, safety, and well-being. It is they who ensure our holidays are happy. In return, let's make their holidays more special by reaching out and letting them know how thankful San Juan residents are for their service. Please take the time this weekend to write a check made out to the City of San Juan Capistrano with a memo "Donation to the 1/11th Battalion"; or buy some baby gifts, sponsor Thanksgiving dinner for a Marine family, invite a Marine to Thanksgiving dinner, or clear your closets of formal dresses you won't wear again. Checks can be mailed to City Hall at 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Items can be delivered to City Hall or the Community Center located at 25925 Camino Del Avion (at Via Positiva, next to Marco Forster Middle School off of Del Obispo). To sponsor Thanksgiving dinner, please visit the HomeFront America website at: www.HomefrontAmerica.org under “Programs -Thanksgiving”. To invite a Marine for Thanskgiving dinner, please contact Lindsay Stigall at City Hall at (949) 443-6315. God bless you and your family. I wish you and yours a happy, safe and healthy holiday season.

Pam Patterson

Mayor, City of San Juan Capistrano

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Guest Column

Widen the Ortega...And Then What? By SJC Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Ferguson Widening the Ortega will most likely happen. Lately, though, those with "tunnel vision" would have you believe that widening that short Mayor Pro Tem Kerry bit of two Ferguson lane road on the Ortega Highway will answer all of our traffic needs for the future. They try to scare you by saying it will save San Juan Creek or Las Ramblas from being cut through to La Pata. Trouble is, neither of those have been seriously proposed because neither would meet the needs of most of the Ortega traffic, which heads north on I-5, not south. Another tried to stress you out with wild claims of bridges over the Ortega and Riding Park and six lane roads in your back yards. Widening that 1000 feet or so of two lane road and nothing else is not the solution to our region's mobility problems. If that were the case, it would add, and add, and add traffic, as much as 185,000 car trips per day eventually, but on four lanes, not two. The Most Helpful Option Currently, the option that would help the most is a connector between I-5/73/Avery Parkway and Antonio Parkway and Ortega Highway. There are numerous ways to accomplish it. It could connect Avery around the back of the Royal Trabuco driving range and not as a toll road. The 73 connection could be accomplished in several ways. If we were willing to take a lead, we could help shape the best solution. The most consistent element of previous engineering recommendations has been tunneling under the nature reserve portion

that would run behind the Hunt Club and other eastern neighborhoods. There has been no mention whatsoever of more than 4 lanes. Also, besides diverting 28% of the Ortega Traffic, it would also divert 19% of the Crown Valley traffic according to very recent modelling. By contrast, just adding two lanes to the Ortega would, as I said, eventually funnel as many as 185,000 car trips per day through our town. What Experts Say Here is what Les Card, Chairman and CEO at LSA Associates, who laid out the blueprint for us in 2002 in his definitive Strategic Transportation Plan, said about the value of such an east-west arterial. "The results of the traffic modeling confirm the previous conclusions that the extension of Avery Parkway does reduce daily volumes on Ortega Highway within the city limits. Daily volumes are also reduced on Antonio Parkway, Crown Valley Parkway and I-5 between Ortega Highway and Avery Parkway. Peak hour intersection performance along Ortega Highway at the intersections of Rancho Viejo and La Novia is also measurably improved." I have run into Les a couple of times this year, and he has reiterated that it would be of great help in diverting traffic away from the Ortega.

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portation Plan moving forward by urging TCA and OCTA to include the I-5/73/Avery Parkway to Antonio Parkway Connector in their upcoming 2018 Long Range Transportation Plan so that once the many thousands of homes are built east of our city in coming years, a plan for such a road will be in place. Do not be put off by the wildly disingenuous naysayers that would have you

settle for widening the Ortega Highway only - they do not have the best interests of our residents at heart. If you agree, please register your opinion at www.GetMovingOC.com Kerry Ferguson was elected to the SJC City Council in 2014 and now serves as Mayor Pro Tem.

The Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA) and the Transportation Corridors Agency (TCA, a toll road agency), have also worked out various ways to create such a road along with several leading engineering firms, and it has been advocated by at least three major groups, including Fix 5, Save Trestles and Wild Heritage Partnership. Additionally, they advocate extending La Pata to Christianitos – but as an arterial, not as a toll road. Make a Difference for SJC! We must keep our Strategic Trans-

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Infrastructure Failures a Result of Poor Planning and Budgeting

By Ted Shown The portable water pump that has been parked on Highland Avenue for several weeks may be the “canary in the cage”, warning San Juan residents of potential problems with our infrastructure. This diesel powered pump, which features hoses running between two fire hydrants, is there because the backup pump at the Capistrano Royal pumping station has failed. The Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) which are contained in the San Juan Capistrano City Budget show that a replacement for this emergency pump is being “planned” however, estimates to get the job done run as long as a year and a half. It’s not clear what takes so long to replace an existing pump in an existing facility. A reasonable person might think that it should take thirty or forty days to replace such a critical component of the water system; after all, it took less than fourteen months to build the Empire State building. Why didn’t the city know something like this might happen? It turns out they did, and in fact there are at least three more pumping stations in the city that are described in the City Budget’s CIP#08804 as being “critical to system operations and are in need of significant upgrades/ replacements due to age and wear. The component replacements include pumps, electrical switch gear, piping, and replacing leaking roofs or termite damaged walls.” According to the current City Budget, these four stations are not scheduled to be upgraded or replaced until Fiscal Year 2021/22. This is not for lack of information that they are failing; one has already failed. It is because there is not enough money available to do the work. If this was the city’s only infrastructure problem, it might not warrant much notice and just be written off as the inefficiency that is intrinsic to municipal governments. Sadly, it is not an isolated

problem. The Capital Improvement Projects which are contained in the San Juan Capistrano City Budget show there are other critical problems which are not planned to be addressed for years. Apparently, the city has for many years been kicking the can down the road when it comes to infrastructure. We are simply not maintaining and replacing the city’s infrastructure in a responsible way. While our infrastructure degrades, the city has issued bonds to purchase open space which results in taxpayer funded bonds which result in higher taxes - and more infrastructure expenses. The city would benefit from a thorough outside audit of its infrastructure and a determination of what it will take to ensure there will not be another major failure due to lack of maintenance or replacement of aging systems. The results of such a study may be bad news, but at least we will know what needs to be done, and it’s always more economical and safer to address such critical issues earlier than waiting for an emergency situation which could result in significant inconvenience at best, and loss of life at worst. I encourage the City Council to undertake an outside audit and publish the results so that the citizens of San Juan Capistrano can know the state of our infrastructure and what it will take to bring it up to acceptable standards. To do anything less is irresponsible and reckless. Ted Shown has lived in SJC since 1999. He and his wife have three children and seven grandchildren. . A former aviator for the US Navy, Ted served in executive management in the airline and logistics industries after obtaining a BSEE from Rice University and an MS degree from USC, and founded his own logistics company in 1983.

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Editorial

City Manager; a 9-Month Review

As a community watchdog, we have monitored the performance of City Manager Ben Siegel since his hire in February 2016. Our observation is that Mr. Siegel’s actions have not facilitated a smoothly operating City government that serves the majority of the residents in an efficient and transparent manner. Rather, we have found that Mr. Siegel’s actions represent a disturbing pattern of circumventing City advisory commissions by withholding information from Commissioners and refusing to forward Commission recommendations to the City Council for consideration. Instead, Mr. Siegel has placed some Commission recommendations on closed door council meeting agendas where they are discussed out of view of the public, and while reportedly attempting to negotiate behind the scenes for his desired outcome in at least a few instances that we are aware of. This cuts the residents out of the process and denies them a voice. Listed below are a few specific examples. Example #1: Failure to forward commission recommendation regarding the 2.4 acre “Open Space” parcel adjacent to the Oaks. Both the Parks, Recreation, Youth and Senior Services and the City Trails and Equestrian Commission (“TEC”) recommended that a 2.4 acre parcel of publicly-owned Eastern Open Space, which had been purchased by the taxpayers with the Measure Y Open Space bond, be opened up for public use. It was “leased” (through a “license agreement”) to the former Oaks Equestrian center for $4,800 per year. The interest alone on the property is $37,000 per year. Although it was pointed out to the City Manager that the license agreement for the public parcel was at worst illegally, and at best inappropriately, transferred to the new owner of the adjoining “Oaks” property, he apparently ignored the information and reportedly continued to negotiate a new lease/license agreement. His attempt to allow the private property owner continued use of the publicly owned parcel directly contradicts the

remain open until dusk, as is done in other city parks and in surrounding cities. The City Manager failed to forward the recommendation to the council, reportedly stating instead that the clause would be written into the property manager’s contract renewal. The City Council must approve the contract renewal, which is not up until December (see article page one). TEC’s recommendations for public use. The City Manager twice failed to forward the TEC recommendations to the council for approval. The TEC’s initial recommendation was in February 2016, but has yet to be placed on a council agenda for review and requested approval. Meanwhile, the property remains off-limits to the taxpayers who are paying for it. Example #2: Failure to resolve on-going code violations at the Riding Park. Issues involving public safety at the publicly owned Riding Park have been routinely swept under the rug, according to City Commissioners (see article page one). Example #3: Failure to forward commission recommendation to Council regarding Riding Park hours of operation. Currently, gates at the City-owned Riding Park at the Eastern Open Space are locked to the public by (approximately) 5pm daily. The only exception is when the “property manager” is holding their own for-profit event. In May 2016, the Parks, Recreation, Youth and Senior Services (“PRYSS”) Commission recommended that the Riding Park

Example #4: Letters from residents about city parks withheld from commission. A number of residents sent letters to the City requesting that the fields at the Sports Park be repaired due to extreme wear and tear (potholes, dead grass, etc.), and requested better maintenance of the fields. Because the letters were not forwarded, the PRYSS Commissioners were unaware of residents’ concerns until they were contacted directly by residents asking why their requests were being ignored. The Commissioners discussed the issue and voted to recommend that the council approve repair of the damaged fields and improve ongoing field maintenance. To date, the PRYSS Commissioners are still not getting letters from residents.

showed that the area was actually four times safer than what was claimed by the City Engineer, so the Commissioner asked that the record be corrected. When it was pointed out to the City Manager however, he failed to take action and allowed the incorrect information to continue to be disseminated to the public.

We are unsure why the City Manager has failed to facilitate communication between the various City Commissions, the City Council and City residents. Currently, commissioners are forced to submit Public Records Act for Information requests in order to get correspondence regarding areas they are tasked with overseeing. The people deserve to have their voices heard, and it’s the City Manager’s responsibility to make sure that communication is open and facilitated.

Example #5: Failure to correct publicly disseminated misinformation. A City Commissioner pointed out that incorrect accident data was used by the City Engineer as evidence that a 2-lane stretch of Ortega was unsafe. The correct data

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SJC Vaqueros - The Real Cowboys By Jerry Nieblas, as told to Janice Pickartz

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: As a pre-Mission descendant of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians and two early Californio Rancho families, Jerry Nieblas has been invited to share the accurate, factual story of the Juanenosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; historical connection to San Juan Capistrano and the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The vaqueros of San Juan Capistrano were magnificent men. Many were descendants of the original Portola Expedition from Spain - this expedition accompanied St. Junipero Serra from Spain to Mexico and into California. With an overpowering simplicity and gentle, humble spirits, these dignified men embraced and radiated a work ethic comparable to none. Their heritage was Mestizo. A combination of Juaneno, Early Californio Spanish and Mexican. And, they were the men who kept the ranchos, cattle and land, prosperous and thriving. The vaqueros only rode working, stock quarter horses. They would say that choosing the right horse meant staring in the horse's eyes and breathing in his nostrils. And, if the horse returned the same, an instant bond was born. The connection between horse to rider and rider to horse was unbreakable. A formidable team, bonded for life. While they worked from sun up to sun down, daily, in all weather conditions, late Friday afternoons were sometimes Photo courtesy of San Juan Historical Society spent in town. These gentlemen always smiled and tipped their hats to the ladies to say hello and occasionally enjoyed spirits from the local watering hole. Early Californio barbecuing by the vaqueros was a perfected craft as well. The weekends meant large family gatherings, barbecues and Mass on Sunday morning. Beef, lamb, pork, Spanish rice, Spanish beans, Sonora style tortillas and regional Capistrano sarsa (salsa) was enjoyed. SJC Vaqueros ending their workday, bringing in the last of the cattle to the Rancho

But, no matter how "enjoyable" Friday and Saturday had been, you could hear the vaqueros come in to early Sunday morning Mass by the rolling sound of their spurs on the tile floor, dressed in their best, going to sit in the back pews of St. Serra Chapel. Master Vaqueros rounding up stray cattle

A handful of vaqueros also worked at the Old Mission when Photo courtesy of San Juan Historical Society the seasons changed, taking very little pay because of the sense of pride in giving back to the very place they were connected to...In the 1800's there was a great drought and food shortage - the Old Mission was running out of food. Rancho Yorba had the vaqueros cut some of their best cattle out of what was left of their best stock. The beef was brought to the Mission to feed the community. As an expression Community Common Sense

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of gratitude, the Mission gave Rancho Yorba chapel, the statue of St. Antonio from the Great Stone Church. From then on, the chapel was called San Antonio Chapel. The statue was kept above the main altar and remained there until the chapel could no longer be used. It was then donated by the Yorba Family to the Bowers Museum - for years it was on display in a place of honor. Physically and spiritually, the vaqueros, the Missions and the Ranchos stayed joined and committed, taking care of each other. Rancho Vaqueros on their working stock quarter horses, Here are just a few of the good and honorable men that worked the branding cattle Ranchos, the lands, and the herds until their last breath: the Avila men, Photo courtesy of San Juan Historical Society Doc & Charlie Belardes, John Changala, Viejo Magel, the Manriquez men, Cecelio Martinez, Francisco Nieblas, the Olivares men, Damian Rios (Master Trainer of the Rancho stock quarter horses), the Serrano men, Malcolm Stewart and Chapo Valenzuela. On The Feast of St. Joseph & Swallows Day, all the vaquero men were there but one, in particular stood out on that day....Chapo Valenzuela would ride onto the Mission grounds, overflowing with San Juan Capistrano families, Mission nuns & priests, and many visitors. With Mission bells joyously ringing, he rode his white horse, dressed in Early Californio Spanish attire, carrying the banner of St. John of Capistrano. He would then present the banner to one of the historical women of the town - they were also dressed in their Early Californio Spanish attire. The banner led a great religious procession throughout the Mission grounds. Then, the Fiesta Los Golondrinas that sometimes lasted for days, would begin.

A new English style has attempted to replace rich San Juan Capistrano's vaquero history. But that will never happen. In a recent city council meeting, an audience member dared to categorize the horse community of San Juan Capistrano as "owning 1.5 houses, 2.5 cars and 3 horses." Capistrano's real horsemen will never be referred to as equestrians - such an assumption is an insult....These real horsemen didn't need money, they didn't abuse the land. They were proud and honorable men. They were greater horsemen than the Spanish who taught them, becoming vaqueros who were second to none. And, though the vaqueros themselves have sadly disappeared, most of them rest in peace in the Old Mission Historic Cemetery and their enduring spirits live on...in the Rancho lands, the adobes and their descendants who still call San Juan Capistrano, home. Cattle de-horning by Rancho Vaqueros Photo courtesy of San Juan Historical Society

Jerry Nieblas is the co-founder and President of the Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee and lifelong resident of San Juan Capistrano. Community Common Sense

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Continued from page 1... mid-August, expressed frustration that after several months, the City administration had still not resolved the on-going issues. When asked for a status update about the City and the Water Board violations during the PRYSS Commission meeting on October 17, Community Services Director Dori Budde claimed that the City code violations had been resolved. Not true, according to at least one commissioner who walked the Riding Park property the morning of the meeting and said the code violations were still evident. Another commissioner expressed frustration with the lack of cooperation from staff in resolving the problems at the Riding Park. “We keep asking for an update and get no response. Now we’re told that the violations have been resolved, but when we go out to the property we see that little to nothing has changed. I feel like we are being railroaded by City staff regarding these violations,” the commissioner said. Yet another commissioner asked for the status of a reported Cal/OSHA (state Division of Occupational

Health & Safety) investigation at the Riding Park. Budde did not respond to that question.

City Council Consent Calendar renewal of the Blenheim Facilities Management Agreement.

Following the discussion, several commissioners requested that staff provide a follow up report to the PRYSS Commission when all violations had actually been resolved however, Budde stated that she would provide a status report only “if a majority of the commissioners agree to request one.” Several commissioners reminded Budde that this is an issue of public safety which they said is of paramount importance. Another pointed out that in addition to protecting public safety, the park property management firm is potentially jeopardizing the public bond, the purchase agreement which prohibits many of the conditions noted in the code violations, and is a potential insurance liability. The commission voted unanimously to request a staff update on the violations at the next commission meeting.

In addition to the code violations, other potential problems have surfaced regarding the management contract. We previously reported on the property manager’s conflict of interest as an executive level manager of both Blenheim Facilities Management and Blenheim Equisports.

Adding to the frustration is that City Manager Ben Siegel appears to be ignoring the on-going violations by failing to respond to repeated requests for an update on the and instead, placing on the October 18

The facilities management company is in charge of booking all Riding Park events. They also set the fees for field and park rentals and for the most part, operate the park independently of the City. They give a large number of event dates to their other company, Blenheim Equisports, from which they generate significant revenues. Although San Juan residents and sports groups are supposed to get “priority” field rentals, Blenheim charges them four times more than the City charges for other city-owned fields, which prices most San Juan residents and sports groups out of the park.

Now, questions are being raised about whether the “management” arrangement complies with the provisions of the tax-exempt open space bond that was used to purchase the property. Although the bond is a “public purpose” bond, the property is used mostly by a private company as it is monopolized (by Blenheim Equisports) for elite Hunter-Jumper and Dressage competitions from which it, not the City, generates profits. At their October 18 meeting, council members did not automatically renew the license agreement, instead voting 4-1 (with Councilman Sam Allevato opposed) to postpone a vote on the renewal of Blenheim Facilities Management’s contract until after the council has obtained independent legal advice from a bond expert, and until more access to the Riding Park for San Juan residents has been worked out. “We have a fiduciary responsibility to the residents and the bondholders who are paying for this park, to make sure we’re not jeopardizing their position,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Ferguson.

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CPUC President Removes Judge Who Advocated for Safer SDG&E Alternative

(EIR) that the day-to-day living of residents and tourists durBy N. Masuen ing 5-6 years of construction The California Public Utilities Comthe Administrative Law Judge (ALD) would cause poor mission’s mission statement purports appointed to rule on the original plan in part, to “Serve public interest by and various alternatives. These groups air quality, noise, street closures, protecting consumers and ensursee the initial proposal neither saferestricted bus and ing provision of safe, reliable utility guarding nor enhancing the lives of train travel and services with a commitment to enviresidents of hundreds of homes in the demolition of SJC neighbors rallied in opposition to SDG&E’s proposed ronmental enhancement.” SDG&E’s its midst and the students in schools a historical build- doubling of the substation amidst homes, schools and parks “SOCRE” plan seemingly flies in affected by construction and looming ing. the face of that promise according EMF-emitting electrical lines. activities, questioning the motive to directly-impacted local citizens, The visual blight of several much The Judge concluded that Alternative behind sponsorships, donations, and the City of San Juan, the Capistrano higher, multiple-storied industrial J, located in a non-residential, basicalawards. Good neighbor or manipulaUnified School District, the Office of buildings would compete in the backly undeveloped area, is more sensible tor? Political, economic, social presRatepayer Advocates (ORA): resiground with the city’s famed “Jewel and less costly on human, environsures and paybacks can exist on local dential and environmental advocate of the Missions.” SDG&E affirmed in mental, and economic levels. Despite levels as well as county, state, and FRONTLINES, and most glaringly, its own Environmental Impact Report the Judge’s conclusion, national...and they interconnect. The Michael Picker, Gover- CPUC recently held a hearing in Long Regional Leaders Working Against SJC Residents nor Brown’s appointed Beach in the middle of the day in the CPUC president, has middle of the week which allowed CPUC Board members are appointed by the Governor and receive a $135,000 yearly saltrumpeted SOCRE and civil representatives who could afary. Listed below are the representatives who attended the CPUC hearing and spoke in dismissed the Judge ford to take time off work and/or find favor of doubling the substation a stone’s throw from historic Mission San Juan and in the in favor of another, child care one minute each to speak middle of 1,200 family members homes and parks, instead of supporting a Judge’s recomapparently hoping in regard to SOCRE. Local residents mendation that it be moved to an industrial area in Laguna Niguel – away from families to find one who will and our historic downtown San Juan. making the trip witnessed a “stacked green-light his preferdeck” with many realtors, business ence. Judge shopping? owners, neighboring community Some of the very institutions that were created to serve and protect residents are now working against them, many on the taxpayers’ dime. Who are these people? See below… It should be noted that members (“not in my back yard!”) Mr. Picker, a Goverand political representatives comRepresentative for State Senator Pat Bates nor Brown advisor, plimenting President Picker on his Representative for Supervisor Lisa Bartlett replaced the former Representative for Assemblyman Bill Brough astute conclusion that SOCRE was the disgraced BrownCharlie Ware – Director, Governmental and Community Relations Rancho Mission Viejo LLC only answer to electrical needs of the appointed President Jonathan Volzke - Public Affairs Manager, Municipal Water District of Orange County area. What were Mr. Picker’s blatant Wayne Brown - Government Affairs, South Orange County Economic Coalition Peevey, who is curresponses meant to convey when he SOC Economic Coalition members include: Duane Cave of SDG&E ▪ Dan Kelly Senior VP rently under investiga- stated, “Give my compliments to...” Government Relations Rancho Mission Viejo LLC ▪ Chair Paul Simonds, Orange Coast Public tion for unethical and adding the names of politicians such Affairs Manager So Cal Gas Company ▪ Steve LaMotte Director of Government Affairs, Buildpossibly illegal acts of as Senator Pat Bates and Supervisor ing Industry Association OC Chapter ▪ Jim Leach, Director External Affairs Santa Margarita omission and commis- Lisa Bartlett? It signaled to residents Water District. sion while fostering that they are viewed as mere collateral Patty Conover – Orange County Business Council (OCBC) cozy relationships with damage while movers, shakers, their The organization purportedly works to enhance Orange County’s economic development and the very utilities the “wanna-be’s” and sycophants conprosperity to preserve a high quality of life. Commission is tasked tinue to serve their own desires rather Dick Fisher - President of the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce with regulating. than pursue truth and ethical behavior. Owner of “Cosmo's Italian Kitchen” in Aliso Viejo. Betty Burnett – General Manager, South Orange County Wastewater Authority After thorough reThis past week it was time for the Laurie Davies - Mayor of Laguna Niguel search, Alternative J City of San Juan, ORA, FRONTFormer Ambassador for the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce proponents cite numerLINES and their various legal repreJoe Jackson - Former San Clemente City Councilman ous SDG&E claims sentation to appear before the CPUC Malinda Goller - Vice President Branch Manager, Community Bank involving feasibility, in San Francisco to present their Chair-Elect Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce cost, and load forecast- arguments again. A final decision is Jeffrey Jackson – Real Estate Agent, Associate Star Estates ing and load flow as supposed to occur in December, as OC Association of Realtors SOC contrived, unsubstanti- residents continue to write and email Tony Capitelli - Government Affairs Director for the OC Association of Realtors ated, and/or grossly Dennis O'Connor - OC Association of Realtors Mission Viejo the CPUC, encouraging them to find exaggerated. Many Tony Struthers - Administrator at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente and follow a moral compass. have also wondered Jim Leach - Director of External Affairs, Santa Margarita Water District about SDG&E’s Carolyn Cavecche - Chief Executive officer and President “OC Taxpayers Association” N. Masuen is a 41-year resident of Operations Manager from Dana Point Chamber of Commerce “involvement” (and San Juan Capistrano. Wayne Rayfield - President of South Coast Water District its time frame) in San Steve LaMotte – Director, Government Affairs, Building Industry of Orange County Juan’s community

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Editorial

CCS Recommends…

In the last edition of the CCS, we offered our take on the candidates running for two seats on the SJC City Council. Now that City voters have been divided into five voting districts, only voters in two of the five Districts are allowed to vote for a candidate within their District. With election day looming on November 8, we are reprinting our recommendations below.

District 5 - Ronda Mottl: Although

Ms. Mottl moved here about a year ago, we are impressed with her willingness to jump in and get involved with the community as evidenced by her application to serve on the Utilities Commission. Some see her being a relative newcomer as a detriment but the fact that she has no ties to SJC politics and her potential to bring a fresh perspective to old problems is something we view as a positive. More importantly, her stated position on the issues is most closely aligned with those of the CCS than those of other candidates. We agree with her opposition to tax increases on already over-burdened SJC taxpayers and on working with Congressman Darrell Issa and his staff to promote legislation protecting residential neighborhoods from the proliferation of “Sober Living Homes”. The position we are most impressed with however, is her stance in protecting residents’ quality of life over accommodating “regional growth”. She has refused to jump on the “regional growth at any cost” bandwagon by rejecting the notion that “regional growth is inevitable, therefore not worth fighting”. We believe that she will fight to protect the quality of life of SJC residents. We recommend a “Yes” vote.

District 1 - Sergio Farias: In 2008,

we would not have recommended voting for Mr. Farias. His views at that time were admittedly “socialistic”. Since then however, he has become a husband, father and business owner and his views have changed. What we admire about Mr. Farias is his passion for representing the residents. He is adamantly opposed to the doubling of the SDG&E substation in his district and says he will continue to fight to protect the residents from this behemoth. He had the courage to call out the Chamber of Commerce for their support and promotion of the proposed project, at a Chamber- sponsored event. That tells us he is not afraid to stand up for his beliefs in the face of adversity. He also states his opposition to taxpayer-funded subsidies for a select few politically allied groups, instead recommending a solution to waive park event fees for all charities, equally. The unequal treatment in SJC of the favored political few versus “the rest of us” is an issue we have reported on – and denounced – over the years in the CCS. It is an on-going problem that serves to divide us rather than bring us together. We believe Mr. Farias will work to represent all residents, not just the politically connected few. We recommend a “Yes” vote.

Community Common Sense

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Community Common Sense

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Community Common Sense

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