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Introducing San Clemente Council Candidate Mike Mortenson

Posted by Greg Woodard on October 19, 2012

We now move way down in San Clemente (yes, it’s still part of Orange County), with Council candidate Mike Mortenson.  Council member Jim Dahl also is running and he sought the Orange County Republican Party’s endorsement.  However, I made multiple attempts to contact Dahl and received no response.

Mike said he is running for City Council because he wants to provide a new perspective for the city that is (1) representative of a younger demographic that is not currently represented, specifically working families with children; (2) representative of a portion of the city north of the high school, including Talega and Forster Ranch, that also is not currently represented; and (3) business friendly.

Mike wants to strengthen the local economy to make it more business friendly by expanding the local sales tax base with clearer requirements on business, easing the permitting process, and reducing licensing fees.  Mike believes his plan will attract more businesses to the city and keep the existing businesses.

Mike also wants to improve the traffic in the city.  He stated that CalTrans is extending the carpool lane on the 5 freeway down to San Clemente, and doing other work that will impact traffic in the city.  Mike says he will be proactive in addressing the traffic concerns, including extending La Pata into San Juan Capistrano.  He also will address the parking problems in the downtown area.  Mike will work closely with the businesses and residents in working toward solving the parking problems.  He also noted that the city owns several vacant lots in the downtown area and he wants to determine whether those lots can be used in any way to alleviate the parking problems.

Mike also wants to preserve and enhance the city’s village character.  He plans on increasing the city’s revenues to reinvest in historical sites, adaptively re-use those sites, and get creative – for example, by increasing outdoor dining options to better utilize the city’s environment and climate.

Mike believes the current staff compensation is competitive with other cities but he is willing to evaluate what is best for the city.

Mike wants the city to grow in accordance with the General Plan.  He believes that growth needs to be smart and responsible.  He stated that the city is almost built out, so any future development must be consistent with the city’s village character.  He gave the example of the “T Zone,” which has an architectural overlay that must be complied with.  Mike noted that the residents have worked hard through the Planning Commission and General Plan Advisory Committee to develop the General Plan, and they need to implement it.

Mike is endorsed by, among others, Mayor Jim Evert, former Mayor and current council member Lori Donchak, former Mayor Candy Haggard, the Orange County Republican Party, and the Orange County Register.

You can find out more about Mike at http://mikemortenson.com/.

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Introducing Laguna Beach Council Candidate Steve Dicterow

Posted by Greg Woodard on October 18, 2012

We now move on to that bastion of conservatism, Laguna Beach, and council candidate Steve Dicterow.

Steve previously served on the City Council from 1994-2006.  He recently has spoken to a large number of individuals and groups who have told him they need him back on the council.  Steve missed his service on the council and he was told he improved residents’ lives while he was serving and he want to help the Laguna Beach residents yet again.

Steve believes public safety is critical for the city.  He wants to create a Public Safety Committee so residents can work with police, fire, and marine safety officials to determine the best way to protect the residents.  Steve wants the Public Safety Committee to make recommendations to the council on how to best protect the residents.

Steve also is a proponent of fiscal responsibility.  He said that the unpredictability of pensions is plaguing cities, and he feels the council needs to work with public employee unions to achieve greater certainty on compensation and benefits to get costs under control.  Steve will keep the existing compensation and benefits in place for current city employees, but he wants to explore a 401k-type plan for future employees.

Steve also thinks that it is critical that the city has a strong infrastructure.  He wants the council to monitor infrastructure plans as they go forward.  When he previously served on the council, he created a 10 year rolling Capital Improvement Plan for the city that allowed those plans to be monitored on an ongoing basis.  The city had neglected its sewer system before he was on the council, and Steve believes that as a result of his actions, the city’s ocean water quality went from last to first in the state.

Steve wants to promote businesses, the arts community, and children.  He wants to cut the red tape for businesses.  Steve said that the current regulatory climate in the city costs businesses too much, takes too long for decisions on projects, and the applicant does not know if they will be approved or not.  Steve will work with the business community to make the city an attractive place for them to come.  Steve has served on the Board of the Festival of Arts for 6 years and he supports the artist community.  He believes it is very important to make Laguna Beach affordable for artists so they can live in the city.  He said the existing Live-Work Program is not effective and he wants to work with the artists to see how the current rules can be modified to make the city affordable for them.  Steve also said the city needs to pay attention to its children.  He wants the city to have a teen center, a skate park, and he will work with the school board to create effective anti-drug and anti-drinking programs.

Steve said that employee compensation should be reviewed in the context of other cities, both in similar size, and in similar geographic regions.  He does not want to lost quality people to other cities.  He also believes that, while the amount of compensation employees are receiving is important, he is more nervous about the certainty of the compensation.  He wants to know how much the city is paying its employees to make sure it fits within the budget.  He said that the current pension system creates uncertainty.  Steve feels his expertise as a pension-plan attorney will serve the council well.

Steve said the city is essentially built out with no open areas for new development.  He did note that it is important to protect the rights of existing property owners who come to the city with remodel projects or small-scale developments.  Steve will address each applicant on a case-by-case basis.  He believes that the content coming out of the existing Design Review Board is good, but the process is too contentious, often pitting neighbor against neighbor, and Steve will try to make the process better for all parties.

Steve is endorsed by, among others, the Orange County Register, the Laguna Beach Taxpayers Association, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, the Orange County Republican Party, and state assembly member Allan Mansoor.

You can find out more about Steve at http://www.stevedicterow.com/.

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First In A Series Of Interviews With South County Candidates: Laguna Hills City Council Candidates Dr. Raghu Mathur, Bill Hunt, Andrew Blount, And Dore Gilbert, M.D.

Posted by Greg Woodard on October 11, 2012

I never like to let a chance to blog go to waste, particularly in an election year, so I thought I would focus my efforts on where I live – South County.  My goal is to interview candidates for most, or all, South County City Council races and post a blog about each interview.  Since I’m not crazy, and I have a day job, I will be asking each candidate the same few questions that I think will give the voters a quick look at the candidates and their qualifications.  Also, since I am on the Republican Central Committee, and there are far too many candidates for each position to interview all of them, I am limiting my interviews only to those who sought the endorsement of the OCGOP (whether or not they actually received the endorsement).  Without further ado, we start with a city that I have a hard time finding until I’m within the city limits, and even then, I’m not sure – Laguna Hills.  As OC Political noted earlier, the race for two open seats (very rare around here) is hot and heavy between four legitimate candidates: Dr. Raghu Mathur, Bill Hunt, Andrew Blount, and Dore Gilbert, M.D.

Dr. Raghu Mathur

Raghu is running for City Council to ensure fiscal responsibility, be a strong advocate for businesses, and bring transparency, accountability, and ethics to council decisions.

Raghu says that fiscal responsibility is essential in this economy, with a $16 trillion national debt and a broke California, that leaves only the local level.  He wants to prioritize all goals and expenditures and consider public sentiment and input in determining which projects are most important for residents.  He said the city needs to address compensation, particularly city management.  Raghu gave the example of the City Manager whose compensation is over $460,000 per year, including a car for personal and family use.  He wants to move the city to a 401k-style pension with the employees contributing their portion (the city currently contributes both its and the employees’ portion for retirement).  Raghu stressed his experience as President of Irvine Valley College where he says he turned a $500,000 deficit into a $500,000 surplus in one year, as well as his time as Chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District where he managed a budget of approximately $500 million.  Raghu also said that he taught university courses in budget management.  Although he wants to address compensation issues, Raghu want to assure the employees that transparent negotiations are not meant to pressure or threaten them.  He wants the good work of management and staff to be recognized and rewarded.

Raghu also wants to be the strongest advocate for businesses.  He believes in the free enterprise system and would like to have a business-friendly council.  He strongly supports maximum freedom for businesses and minimal regulations.  Raghu wants to develop a business recruitment and economic development plan and create a business and economic development commission comprised of businesses, residents, and a local Chamber of Commerce (since Laguna Hills currently has no Chamber, he wants to create one).  Raghu also wants to hear from local businesses how the council can support them and bring additional businesses to the city.  He believes that successful businesses mean more taxes resulting in funding for necessary public services.  Raghu is opposed to any increase in taxes or fees.  He wants to create more local jobs and internships for local students.

Raghu wants to make the council transparent, accountable, and ethical.  He stated that there is a public employee union being formed in the city which means future contract negotiations.  He wants all negotiations regarding compensation to be conducted in an open setting, sunshined through the public agenda along with the fiscal implications of the proposal.  Raghu wants the same sunshine process for any counter-proposal from the union.  He would consider bringing in an outside negotiator or auditor so there is no potential conflict of interest with management.  Raghu believes the city must operate in an open fashion to earn the trust and respect of the residents.  On accountability, Raghu wants the city to disclose its goals for management and the council and provide progress reports and final reports on whether the goals were met.  On ethics, he said he will make all of his council decisions ethically, with no favoritism.

Raghu believes it is a tough line to walk between protecting the quality of life for existing residents and businesses, but acknowledging the need for additional development in the future.  He will focus on what the residents and existing businesses have to say.  Raghu uses his scientific background to collect data, ask probing questions, and he feels that he can find win-win solutions in that manner.

Raghu is endorsed by, among others, the Orange County Register, the California Republican Assembly, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckus, Tom Fuentes (before he recently passed),  and Laguna Hills council member Barbara Kogerman.

You can find out more about Raghu at http://www.mathurforlagunahills.com/.

Bill Hunt

Bill noted that, for the first time in the city’s history, there are two openings on the council, and he wants to use his two decades of experience with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to continue the conservative policies the City Council has put in place, and give back to Laguna Hills, where he raised his family and served for four years on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Bill stresses fiscal responsiblity and wants to spend the city’s tax dollars wisely.  He said the city has done a good job fiscally – the city is in the black, it supports businesses, and it has a 2% at 60 retirement formula for its employees.  Bill wants to continue that process.

Bill is pro business.  He wants the city to do everything it can to accommodate the business community.  He does not want to subsidize businesses, but support them to ensure more tax dollars for the community.

Bill’s 20+ years with the Sheriff’s Department has led him to the conclusion that public safety is vital to the city.  He believes that local government’s primary responsibilities are to provide safety and good infrastructure for its residents.  Bill said that the current council has done the basics well, and he wants to continue that process.

Bill believes that, overall, compensation for city staff is fair.  He said the proof is in the pudding – Laguna Hills is not facing the unfunded liabilities for employee benefits that other Orange County cities face.  He believes that the City Manager’s compensation is more of a political issue than a fiscal one.  Bill wants there to be an open discussion on the City Manager’s salary with input from the public.  He said that there is not a lot of staff or a large bureaucracy in the city and many staff members are doing multiple jobs.  He feels that the staff is doing a good job managing the city.  However, he said he will propose a 401k-style pension system for future city employees, which he believes will protect against future unfunded liabilities.

Bill said that Laguna Hills is fairly built out and there is not a lot of growth potential, so he would focus on maintaining the existing quality of life for the current residents.  He wants to work with businesses to create a profitable business environment to make Laguna Hills a place people want to come and shop.  He emphasized the importance of public safety on quality of life.

Bill is endorsed by, among others, Congressman John Campbell, Laguna Hills Mayor Melody Carruth, Laguna Hills council member Joel Lautenschleger, the California Republican Assembly, and State Senator Mimi Walters.

You can find out more about Bill at http://billhunt.org/.

Andrew Blount

Andrew believes we live in a country where everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and he is running for Laguna Hills City Council because he wants to help the people of the city achieve those rights on a local level; he’s met many of the city’s residents in his involvement in the community and he wants to represent them on the council.

Andrew believes that employee compensation is too high, and he will rectify it.  The top three management positions were paid more than $1 million combined last year.  He said that the City Manager made over $400,000 last year, including $30,000 toward his pension alone.  The city also paid $60,000 for a car for the City Manager that could be used for his personal and family use.  Andrew also said that the city pays for both the employer’s and employee’s share of retirement payments for all management staff.  He noted that the city’s annual budget is approximately $30 million per year, which equates to approximately $1,000 per resident and he does not believe that the residents are getting their bang for their buck.  He questioned why the city pays the City Manager $400,000 while it does not provide the basic services that surrounding cities do, and that the residents deserve.  Andrew wants to focus on after school programs, senior services, and emergency response services, not expensive compensation packages for management.

Andrew also believes the water rates the residents currently pay are too high.  He said that the tiered system currently in place is not working and is too costly, including 700% penalties for some residents.  He thinks that the city can control the water rates, with the consensus of the residents.  He will work with the residents to build that consensus, and then take the fight to the Water Board on their behalf.

Andrew also wants to create a better business environment within the city.  He noted that neighboring cities are actively recruiting businesses, and he does not want to lose existing businesses, or the chance to bring in new businesses.  Andrew said that businesses bring in sales and property tax revenues that are vital to providing necessary public services.  He believes that the current council thinks businesses should consider it a privilege to be in Laguna Hills, while Andrew believes it is a privilege to have the businesses as a part of the city.  Andrew sees the city’s revenues decreasing and he wants jobs to stay local.  He also thinks that businesses provide great places in the city for the residents to shop and eat.  Andrew believes the current council has too tight a regulatory burden on businesses.  Although the city does not have a business license fee, Andrew said it charges several other burdensome fees.  He also noted that there is no standard process available to prospective businesses that will give them an idea of the fees and costs they will incur before they start their project.  He gave the example of H2O Partners – a business that came to the council with an idea for a water park.  The council rejected their project.  Fortunately, as many good businesses do, they came back with a different project (trampoline entertainment center) that ultimately was approved.  However, Andrew does not believe the city should hope that rejected businesses come back, but that the city will welcome them with open arms in the first instance.  Andrew will standardize the permitting process so that businesses will know at the beginning of their project what fees and costs they will face.  Andrew wants businesses to succeed and he will work to provide a successful business environment if elected to the council.

Andrew noted that Laguna Hills is mostly built out.  He said there is a mixed-use project, Oakbrook Village, near the Laguna Hills mall, that he believes will bring younger, more upwardly mobile residents to a city that has shrunk in population over the past 10 years.  He wants to analyze projects on a project-by-project basis to determine if it will benefit the city and protect the existing residents.  He wants to ensure that the same high quality of life that Laguna Hills residents currently enjoy is enjoyed by the residents in the future as well.

Andrew is endorsed by, among others, the Orange County Register, Laguna Hills council member Barbara Kogerman, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckus, the Lincoln Club, and Laguna Hills Watch Dog – Jean Bland.

You can find out more about Andrew at http://www.blountforlagunahills.com/.

Dore Gilbert, M.D.

Dore is running for City Council because he thinks he can make a difference for the residents of Laguna Hills by restoring civility and intellectual discussion at City Council meetings.

Dore wants to maintain fiscal responsibility in the city.  He wants a strong reserve, employee compensation comparable to similar-sized Orange County cities, and a transparent council that allows the residents to have faith in the decision-making process.

Dore also stresses public safety.  He wants to continue to support the number of Sheriff’s deputies in the city that are necessary for the residents’ safety and to keep the crime rate low.  Dore’s interest in public safety extends to the national level as he enlisted in the Army Reserves at age 60 and his youngest son is a Corporal in the Marine Corps.

Dore believes the city needs to maintain a business-friendly environment that welcomes businesses which he says will produce jobs and revenue for the city.  He said he will continue to streamline the business permitting process and will not burden businesses with taxes and fees.  Dore is opposed to any new taxes or fees.

Dore stated that employee compensation is greater than the norm of similar-sized cities in Orange County.  He said that some compensation issues have been taken care of by the council (for example, the car allowance is gone), but he wants the council to take a look at compensation and, when it is not in conformity with other similar-sized cities, negotiate changes to conform with those compensation packages.

Dore said that Laguna Hills is nearly built out and there is not a lot of open land.  He noted the Oakbrook Village project near the Laguna Hills mall that is slated for re-development, but Dore wants to focus on how the council can maintain a beautiful city.  He wants to update traffic plans, maintain the parks for people of all ages, and properly maintain the streets.  Dore wants to maintain the quality of life that he and his family have enjoyed in their 31 years in Laguna Hills.  He and his wife of 36 years have raised 5 children in the city.  Dore served on the Saddleback Valley Unified School District board for 29 years.  He is very involved in his community – coaching football and baseball and serving on the Community Center Planning Commission.

Dore is endorsed by, among others, State Senator Mimi Walters, Orange County Supervisors Pat Bates and Janet Nguyen, State Assemblyman Don Wagner, and Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckus.

You can find out more about Dore at http://www.doregilbert2012.com/index.html.

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Lake Forest City Council Candidate Dwight Robinson Holds Fundraiser

Posted by Greg Woodard on October 2, 2012

Dwight Robinson, running for Lake Forest City Council in November, held a local fundraiser on September 30, 2012.  In attendance were California State Assemblyman Don Wagner, Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tem Scott Voigts, Orange City Councilman Fred Whitaker, Fountain Valley Councilman Michael Vo, and many other supporters.

Dwight stated that he was running for his family and other Lake Forest residents.  If he wins a seat, he wants to leave the city better off than when he takes office.  Robinson, a successful businessman who runs a commodities exporting business, said that he wanted to provide the Council with the business experience that it currently lacks.

Scott Voigts introduced Dwight as a true conservative who will be a valuable addition to the Council.  Fred Whitaker noted that Dwight is a true small government conservative, and that, as a fellow businessman, he believed Dwight’s business experience will benefit the Council.  Michael Vo stressed the need for volunteers to help make sure Dwight gets elected to the Council.

Don Wagner echoed Dwight’s emphasis on families, and expressed his support for Dwight’s Council run.

In addition to Wagner and Voigts, Dwight also is endorsed by Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, the Orange County Republican Party, the Orange County Taxpayers Association, and the Lincoln Club.

For more information about Dwight, go to http://robinsonforcitycouncil.com/.

Lake Forest City Council candidate Dwight Robinson is introduced by Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tem Scott Voigts

Posted in Lake Forest | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Costa Mesa Council Candidates Steve Mensinger, Gary Monahan, and Colin McCarthy Make Their Case At Local Fundraiser

Posted by Greg Woodard on September 28, 2012

Last night, the “3Ms” as they’re called, current council members Steve Mensinger and Gary Monahan, and council candidate Colin McCarthy, made their pitch for the upcoming November Costa Mesa City Council election at a fundraiser put on by Jeff Mathews (candidate for Costa Mesa Sanitary District) at Eurocar, a high-end car dealership in Costa Mesa.  All three candidates made the argument that the city is at a crossroads regarding unsustainable city spending, and they pledged to make sure that city services and funds will exist not only for current residents, but for their children, as well.

The City of Costa Mesa was described as the “Wisconsin of the West” and OCGOP Chair, Scott Baugh, praised the work that Mensinger, Monahan, and council member Jim Righeimer had done in representing the residents of Costa Mesa, and stressed the need to continue to elect conservative candidates like the 3Ms to keep the progress moving forward.

Jim Righeimer emphasized the need to pass Measure V which would make Costa Mesa a charter city, and give it more flexibility in negotiating with city workers and allow it to outsource some city services, resulting in significant savings to the city and the residents.

The event rasied thousands of dollars for the candidates and Measure V, and was well-attended.  Those in attendance included California Assembly members Tim Donnelly, Diane Harkey, Allan Mansoor, and Don Wagner.  Local candidates Jim Fisler (Mesa Water District incumbent running for re-election) and Don Harper (running for Costa Mesa Sanitary District) also were in attendance.  In addition, Irvine council member Jeff Lalloway, long-time party supporters Buck Johns and Judy Ware, as well as several party supporters attended.

Two other local candidates, Eric Bever (Costa Mesa Mayor running for Mesa Water District) and Ethan Temianka (Costa Mesa Parks & Rec. Commissioner running for  Mesa Water District), were scheduled to attend but were unable to make it.

Council candidates Steve Mensinger, Gary Monahan, and Colin McCarthy with Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and OCGOP Chairman Scott Baugh

Posted in Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Mesa Consolidated Water District | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Frank Ury Omitted Several Of His Past Council Votes To Maintain Lifetime Medical Benefits For Council Members When He Appeared Before The Republican Party Endorsement Committee

Posted by Greg Woodard on September 16, 2012

I currently am the only member on the Central Committee from Mission Viejo.  We have four conservatives running for two spots.  Consequently, I’m recommending we vote no endorsement for any candidate, and let the Mission Viejo voters decide in November.

On September 5, 2012, incumbent Frank Ury, and three other conservative candidates for Mission Viejo City Council, went before the GOP Endorsement Committee.  When Ury spoke, he touted his conservative principles and his list of endorsements (see Chris Nguyen’s extensive coverage here: https://ocpolitical.com/2012/09/05/ocgop-endorsements-committee-meets/).  Endorsement Committee member Thomas Gordon asked Ury whether he had voted to bestow lifetime medical benefits on part-time council members.  To his credit, Ury was prepared for the question.  Ury stated that he had voted to rescind lifetime benefits for council members and he produced an affidavit he presented at the July 6, 2010 Council meeting that purported to irrevocably release any lifetime medical benefits he may be entitled to.

After hearing the candidates and their supporters and detractors, the Endorsement Committee voted 4-2 to recommend Ury for endorsement by the full Central Committee.  The Endorsement Committee also voted 4-2 to recommend endorsement for challenger Wendy Bucknum.  Having made two recommendations, the Committee effectively voted against endorsing the other conservative incumbent, Cathy Schlicht.

Ury’s response to Gordon was incomplete.  Ury gave the impression that he never had voted for lifetime medical benefits for part-time council members.  In doing so, Ury left out several key votes he made that allowed such benefits.  Here is a brief rundown of those votes:

In 2000, a prior City Council voted to provide lifetime medical benefits for city employees and their spouses who had 12 years of continuous service with the city (we can debate the wisdom of that boondoggle at a different time).  Subsequently, the issue was raised as to whether or not this policy would apply to council members.  On May 19, 2008, six months before he was up for re-election to the Council, Ury proposed a resolution to eliminate lifetime medical benefits for council members.  The measure passed 5-0.

On November 17, 2008, the first Council meeting after Ury was re-elected to a second 4 year term, Ury made a motion to adopt a resolution that would re-instate lifetime medical benefits for council members and give them the option of declining the benefits.  The measure passed 3-1 with Ury voting to re-instate lifetime medical benefits.

On June 21, 2010, Councilmember Cathy Schlicht proposed eliminating lifetime medical benefits for current and future council members.  The proposal failed 2-3 with Ury voting against it, keeping lifetime medical benefits in place.

On July 6, 2010, Schlicht again proposed eliminating lifetime medical benefits.  This time, the measure passed 4-1, with only Ury voting against.  Ury had earlier attempted to get a vote to lay the item on the table (for those parliamentary procedure fans like Kermit Marsh, that means Ury tried to avoid voting on Schlicht’s motion), but it failed.

It was at that same July 6, 2010 meeting that Ury presented his affidavit, including a memo that stated, “When I first brought this up over two years ago, and even as recently as a few months ago, the Council taking action to revoke this benefit was criticized under the argument that the Council could change its action in the future.  Therefore, executing this irrevocable release is the best and proper way to ensure that any claims to this benefit are severed. I have executed the documents and have therefore revoked this benefit. This has been delivered to the City Attorney and is on file with the City.”

I would note that Councilmember Trish Kelley also submitted an affidavit purporting to irrevocably release any lifetime medical benefits she may be entitled to at the July 6, 2010 Council meeting.  However, she also voted in favor of Schlicht’s motion to eliminate lifetime medical benefits, while Ury opposed it.

The Endorsement Committee’s recommendations for Ury and Bucknum should be heard by the full Central Committee at its meeting tomorrow night.  No candidate, however conservative, is perfect, and while Republicans often agree on a majority of issues, there will always be disagreement between us.  I have supported Ury’s positions on several occasions (particularly in opposing the anti-property rights Measure D that was defeated in 2010.)  However, for me personally, public pension and benefits are out of control, and I cannot agree with any vote to give lifetime benefits for part-time council members, regardless of the reason.  Ury voted to re-instate lifetime benefits for council members, and twice voted against removing those benefits.  Accordingly, I urge the full Central Committee to take a neutral stance at tomorrow night’s meeting and not endorse any candidate for Mission Viejo City Council.

Posted in Mission Viejo | Tagged: , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Allow me to introduce myself

Posted by Greg Woodard on September 15, 2012

I wanted to thank the Chrises (or is it Chrisses – no that sounds too weird), for allowing me to offer my two cents on Orange County politics from time to time on here.  My name is Greg Woodard and I am a conservative Republican.  When my brother was in the Marines, he used to say his loyalties went God, Corps (not corpse, Mr. President), and Country.  For me, it’s God, Family, and Country.  I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior, I love my wife and kids, and I bleed red, white, and blue.  I have had the pleasure of serving on the Orange County Republican Central Committee as an appointed member since 2010, and I recently won my first election to the Committee through 2014.  In my time in Orange County politics, I have come to know and respect many conservatives who are striving to make a difference, not only in this county, but also in this state and in our great nation, and I hope I offer that same passion to my party.  I look forward to spirited discussions with conservatives, liberals, libertarians, or anyone else about all things politics, and I promise to try to maintain civility in my posts and my comments.

A little bit about myself (and a shameless plug for what I do to pay the bills).  I have been married to my beautiful wife for over 12 years now.  We have two boys, 6 and 8, and a 2 year old foster daughter, and we have lived in Mission Viejo for 12 years.  I love all things sports, both watching and playing.  I am an attorney by trade, focusing on employment, business, and real estate/land use litigation.  For nearly my entire career, I have worked at some of the largest firms in the country – until last Monday when I started my own firm with a good friend of mine.  You can check it out at www.larsenwoodard.com if you care (I told you I was making a plug).

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