OC Political

A right-of-center blog covering local, statewide, and national politics

Thug Politics in Yorba Linda: Part II

Posted by Brenda Higgins on October 22, 2012

The ongoing brow beating in the 2012 campaign, has given rise to a few themes.  The issues facing the city are not that dramatic or sexy, so the personal attacks are certainy present. Noteably, in the mailers, and as raised by Nancy Rikel in a few of the candidate “forums” is the fact that Gene Hernandez is retired from a career in local law enforcement, and as such, is drawing the pension that accompanied that career.

I’ve tried to find out all I can about the candidates, and I can find no evidence that Nancy Rikel ever strapped on a gun, and wore a badge for the purpose of public safety, so her comment that “I guess he earned it” are immensely offensive and uncalled for. You can see the Eastlake Homeowners Association Forum, as well as segments of the Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum on YouTube. Search YORBA LINDA CANDIDATE FORUM. Bill Laing, a member of the Chamber, has edited the Chamber Forum, into segments by question, which is immensely helpful.

Gene Hernandez has a website that provides quite a lot of information about him, including his complete resume. An incredibly impressive resume, that sets forth his three decades in law enforcement, his education and multiple advanced degrees, as well as a lifetime of service, in addition to his regular job,  to children and others. Gene modestly included in his resume that he has undertaken “humanitarian travel”, without including the details of his trips to Mexico to build houses, and to India to deliver vaccines.

Interestingly, Ms. Rikel’s website includes precious little information about her professional life. From what I can tell, all of her greatest accomplishments in life occurred in the past four years. In her insistence of making an issue of Mr. Hernandez’ pension, she fails to note that she supplements her City Council stipend of $500 per month, with additional stipends from the other boards that she sits on, incidental to her City Council position, such as the water board and the Fire Authority. She emphasizes at the Forums and on her site that she is committed to public safety, and enforcing municipal codes that prohibit owners from having delapidated buildings. She fails to mention that the only owner that has delapidate building is the City of Yorba Linda. These buildings have been owned by the city since her buddies rode into office in 2006, and they have succeeded in doing exactly nothing with them. As to her professional life, it is very mysterious. It is my understanding that she works in her family’s business, but whether than makes her an “executive” is questionable. She makes much ado over her support of Measure Y, which was the Ethics measure for the city, prohibiting any candidate from taking any support of over $250 from anyone who may have a contract with the City.

Well, the $10 million contract she just awarded to the Orange County Sheriff was not a contract with the UNION, right? It is my further understanding that Ms. Rikel is claiming not to have “authorized” the Sheriff Union mailers, two I mentioned on the other “Thug” blog, and I now understand there was apprently one more. What an extraordinary stroke of luck for Ms. Rikel, Mr. Schwing and Mr. Peterson. How nice of the Union to step up and help them in that way. I will be interested to see the disclosures from the Union on those mailers, my guess is that about a $30k gift. That is quite a lot of appreciation and affection. I am also very fond of the way in which all references that Ms. Rikel makes on her website to the Sheriff contract are PAST tense. As if the anticipated savings and increased patrols have already occurred. I can’t wait to see.

Mr. Schwing has a website in which he vaguely tip toes around his experience on the Yorba Linda City Council. The elephant in the room is the term limit that he avoids due to the fact that his first twelve years on the council were prior to the enactment of the term limits. Transparency in government has been the mantra of Mr. Schwing and his cohorts, the other YLRRR councilpersons. Mr. Schwing also makes much of his current position as “Mayor”.   NOTE:  Mark Schwing is not running for MAYOR.  There is no elected Mayor in Yorba Linda, and John Anderson played this same game in 2010.  Mr. Schwing  fails to mention in his assertion of his Mayor-hood, that there has always been a rotation that was followed, in that each council person has an opportunity to be mayor once during his/her term. However, Mr. Schwing has served as Mayor twice during his recent term. That is because he and his cohorts dispensed with tradition and protocall and stepped over, first Jan Horton, and most recently Jim Winder, so that Mark Schwing could proclaim himself Mayor at pertinent times, such as after the 2008 fire, and during this election. Noteably, when they stepped over Jan Horton’s turn to be Mayor, they also stripped her of her board duties and positions.  Yes, those are the same ones mentioned above, that Nancy Rikel now has and gets the extra money for.  Schwing takes precious little in the way of positions on issues on his website, or makes any clear statements of opinions. Certainly that gives him less to have to back out of later.

Craig Young has a website, and a SmartVoter page. His background in corporate boards and management experience, makes him extremely well qualified for the rudimentary city council duties associated with the city council seat. His financial background, as well as his Lincoln Club experience, make him clearly more attractive as a candidate than any other YLRRR puppet.

Kennith Peterson, the new guy running with the incumbents, has tied his campaign to his law office website. Supported by the YLRRR and the Sheriff Union. Why do we want more people to play this game? Why not comply with the spirit of Measure Y, and run your own race, be independent and cut ties to the thugs? Apparently, Mr. Peterson is a Thug-in-waiting, riding the coat tails of the others.

Lou Knappleberger does not have a website or a SmartVoter page. I have only met him once and know very little about him.

Todd Cooper also, does not have a website or a SmartVoter page. I have not met him. What little I saw of his performance, he seemed competent and informed.

With Knappleberger and Cooper making such a lack luster effort, we seem destined to end up with at least one of the Thugs back on the council, which is unfortunate, but not disastrous.

With the sheep’s clothing of fiscal conservativism, the YLRRR candidates may sweep this election once again. However, if any of the voters in Yorba Linda is really interested in seeing what is up in Yorba Linda and if these folks are telling us the truth about all they are doing for us and how much they have “improved” life in Yorba Linda and are saving us money, just take a walk down Main Street. Walk a couple blocks over. Walk down Lakeview between Yorba Linda Blvd. and Lemon. Look around. This is the platform and issue upon which the YLRRR, (Used the be the “R” was for Redevelopment) got their start with.  They’ve now had control of the city for 6 years. Do you see any Redevelopment?

Posted in Uncategorized, Yorba Linda | Tagged: , , , | 6 Comments »

Thug Politics in Yorba Linda is alive and well

Posted by Brenda Higgins on October 20, 2012

As predictable as the return of the Santa Ana winds in November, is the election year hit piece generated by YLRRR. Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation, was originally formed in response to the commencement of development of what has been come to be collectively known as the Yorba Linda Town Center, in about 2006. The name was Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Redevelopment, it was changed after they managed to kill the plans that were in place and run the developer out of town. Since that time this special interest group has controlled and determined the outcome of each and every city council election.

In spite of their indisputable political strength, they continue their schoolyard bully approach to campaigns, aggressively ramping up rhetoric and playing fast and loose with the facts.

In 2010 it was the piece with a photo of (then incumbent) Jan Horton, with a big red slash across her face.

True to form, they have chosen the same basic format, the same marginal effort at accuracy and the same level of histrionic antics.

Voters in Yorba Linda continue to vote with the recommendations of this group. I don’t understand it, but thug politics still works, at least here.

Posted in Uncategorized, Yorba Linda | Tagged: , | 14 Comments »

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/.

Posted in San Clemente | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Politics and Policing in Yorba Linda; Election 2012

Posted by Brenda Higgins on October 19, 2012

I saved the seven pieces of mail I have received so far related to the Yorba Linda City Council race. Here are the two that I found most disturbing.

These pieces are sent by the “Association of Orange County Sheriff’s Independent Expenditure”.

These pieces make the same claim that the contract with OC Sheriff will save the city $10 million dollars. This is over the course of the five year contracted term and based upon the proposal which was approved several months ago. The claims go on to state that the new contract, at the lower rate will give Yorba Linda a “full service police station” for the first time, give Yorba Linda a Chief of Police, provide greater protection and hire displaced Brea Police officers. The veracity of all of these claims have been widely debated in my earlier blogs here and in several other (mostly sponsored) forums. The soundness of the bid, the assertions of nearly magical outcomes and historic savings are not the issue in this election.

Citizens of Yorba Linda, if you were not certain before, now that you have received your ballots and sample ballots, this issue is not, has not, will not, be put to you the voters for a vote. Your council, Schwing, Rikel and Anderson, voting en masse as they do (Your other two representatives are also not part of this discussion as they are irrelevant) have already decided this issue for you, and the train has left the station. The transition is set to occur by May 2013.

As this situation developed and unfolded, in the Spring of 2012, it was covered on a regular basis, here on OC Political.

With that resounding victory behind them, our council could turn their attention to more pressing matters, their re-election.

You may recall, that in 2010, a MEASURE Y appeared on your ballot. It involved ethics of City officials and essentially prohibited any candidate from accepting any donation from ANY contractor with the city. This was targeted at that time at specific organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, that had in the past, ventured so far as to endorse business friendly candidates. It was a witch hunt environment that surrounded the 2010 City Council election and the Measure (which was identical to a City Ordinance that had already passed and been made law) and certainly chilled the free speech of many in our city and discouraged involvement in the process.

The supporters, again Schwing, Rikel, Anderson, of Measure Y, promoted it as a measure that was consistent with the overall approach of the Republican party, locally and statewide to reel in candidates whose campaigns may be funded by Government Employee Unions.

Of the Majority Three, only Anderson was up for re-election in 2010.

In 2012, both Schwing and Rikel are facing re-election.

Following their granting of the $10 million dollar policing contract to the Orange County Sheriff Department, it was nice of the Union to repay them with the two very large (8×10 glossy, 2 sided) mail pieces that went to voters in Yorba Linda.

“The fiscal conservative team we can trust”…..Yep. So long as your definition of ‘fiscal conservative’ means union hack. “Leaving no stone unturned to root out government waste”, when you define government waste as 40 years of institutional knowledge. Well they’ve certainly rooted out something, and I can only wonder if and when Yorba Linda voters are going to stand up to the charade.

These incumbents, in their other mailers, boast prolifically about their “endorsements”. I can not speak to the process by with Assemblyman Hagman and Congressman Royce made their decision to endorse these incumbents, but I was present for the Orange County Republican Party Endorsement approval.

On such races, there is no discussion in and among the Central Committee of the Orange County Republican Party. These candidates were the only ones who turned in their requests for endorsements on time, and this is not unusual in small city races. Inexperienced candidates, often with no political professionals to advise them, do not realize the early filing date, and the rapid fire manner in which the endorsements are granted. There were only the two applications for this race. They are Republican. They are incumbents. There was not discussion, no vetting.

However, because the Orange County Republican party is very concerned about fiscal issues, making sure we help true fiscal conservatives to get elected, and not usher in more special interest lackeys, there is an application. Four pages of fairly extensive, Republican ideal quizzing. On Page One, the applying candidate must sign the following “Union-Free” pledge:

“I WILL NOT ACCEPT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GOVERNMENT UNIONS”

I’m not sure how Mr. Schwing and Ms. Rikel want to explain this, because their application would not have ben processed by the Central Committee without it all complete. Perhaps they will say the mailers were a “spontaneous protest” and not a “pre-planned strategic strike”. Are the pledge and the policies to mean anything? Not to mention the outright violation of their own law. I fully anticipate their argument about semantics will be that these mailers were not ‘contributions’ processed by their campaigns. We will soon know what the voters have to say about it all.

Posted in 3rd Supervisorial District, 55th Assembly District, Brea, Republican Central Committee, Uncategorized, Yorba Linda | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments »

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/.

Posted in Laguna Beach, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

New Poll Shows Allen Leading Edgar

Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on October 17, 2012

Got an e-mail from Probolsky research yesterday that showed Travis Allen leading Troy Edgar by a slim margin in the hotly contested 72nd Assembly District race. It is important to note that a vast majority ov voters are undecided but this is clearly promising news for Travis Allen.

Here are the poll results:

On Saturday, October 13, 2012 Probolsky Research conducted a telephone survey of likely voters in California Assembly District 72.

TRAVIS ALLEN LEADS TROY EDGAR

Allen enjoys a lead over Edgar (28.0% to 22.1%) in the race for the 72

nd Assembly District. However, nearly half of voters remain undecided:

Question:

“An election for California State Assembly District 72 will be held in November. If you were voting today for State Assembly, for whom would you vote? Pick one. If you have already voted, please let me know who you chose. Travis Allen, Prefers Republican Party, Small Business Owner OR Troy Edgar, Prefers Republican Party, Businessman/Mayor.”

A total of 307 surveys were collected. A survey of this size yields a margin of error of +/- 5.7% with a 95% degree of confidence. Interviews were conducted with voters on both landline and cell phones and were conducted in English, Spanish and Vietnamese languages.

The turnout model consisted of those voters who voted at least 1 of 11/10 or 6/12, OR voted in at least 2 of 2/08, 6/08, 11/08, 5/09 or 6/10, with at least 1 being 11-08 PLUS those who registered to vote after 6/12.

This represents 62.2% of voters and 72.3% of households.

Probolsky Research LLC specializes in opinion research on behalf of business, government, political, special interest and media clients.

Posted in 72nd Assembly District | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »

Raghu Mathur: A History of Wasting Taxpayer Dollars

Posted by Lassie on October 16, 2012

Raghu Mathur

Raghu Mathur

Much has been written about the Laguna Hills City Council race, but voters should beware of the absolute waste of taxpayer dollars by Raghu P. Mathur.

On his campaign web site, Mathur says, “Our City needs to provide better oversight over all income and expenditures.  As your Council Member and with your input, I will seek prioritization of our taxpayer resources based on assessment of the services our citizens need.  I will make these issues my top priorities.”

Here’s some excerpts from an interview Mathur did with OC Political (https://ocpolitical.com/2012/10/11/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/):

“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 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.”

Where was this concern for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer dollars when Raghu Mathur took a $700 monthly car allowance, a free computer, free Internet access, and a free cell phone, among other perks while serving as Chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District?

Where was this concern for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer dollars when Raghu Mathur got more than a quarter of amillion dollars in a golden handshake to leave the Chancellor’s post, as reported by the Orange County Register: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mathur-231052-college-valley.html?  Part of that settlement imposed a gag order forbidding discussion of the separation agreement.  Is that what an open setting with sunshine looks like to Mathur?

Where was this concern for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer dollars when Raghu Mathur sued the South Orange County Community College District during his time as President of Irvine Valley College?  Mathur’s lawsuit against the district was filed six months after he so badly lost a lawsuit against a professor and against a college administrator that the judge ordered Mathur to pay $34,000 in attorney’s fees to the professor and the administrator, as reported by the Los Angeles Times: http://articles.latimes.com/2000/sep/13/local/me-20300.  How much money did SOCCCD spend on attorneys to defend themselves against Mathur’s suit?

Laguna Hills just can’t afford Raghu Mathur.

Posted in Laguna Hills, South Orange County Community College District | Tagged: | 6 Comments »

Team Ausmus Snubs OUSD Voters, Attempts to Censor Opponent, Abuses School Resources

Posted by Chris Nguyen on October 16, 2012

As a graduate and resident of the Orange Unified School District, I am certainly familiar with OUSD having had some of Orange County’s most raucous elections in years past, and while things have died down (thanks, Capistrano Unified!), this year has proven to be one of the quieter OUSD campaigns anybody can remember.

Robert "Bob" Ausmus

Robert “Bob” Ausmus

However, in this weird quietness has been an oddly arrogant campaign being run by one of the challengers, Robert “Bob” Ausmus, who is seeking to unseat OUSD Board Member Dr. Alexia L. Deligianni in Trustee Area 3.

Bob Ausmus didn’t even bother to write a candidate’s statement in the sample ballot mailed out to all registered voters in the school district by the Orange County Registrar of Voters (check out page 14 of the PDF sample ballot to see where the OUSD candidate’s statements are), leaving voters with absolutely no information about him.  By the way, here’s a picture of the last guy to be elected to the OUSD board without a candidate’s statement:

Steve Rocco

Steve Rocco, OUSD Board Member, 2004-2008, Convicted Ketchup Thief

How are voters supposed to decide who to vote for when they have no information about a candidate?  Are they supposed to vote on signs?

Speaking of signs, Robert Ausmus supporters have acted ridiculously.  Some volunteers for Dr. Alexia Deligianni posted her re-election signs in Anaheim Hills.  Within hours, the signs were gone.  Ordinarily, lost signs are just part of the normal business of campaigns.  City crews, the weather, cheap garage sales hosts, etc. often take the signs.  However, the timing and systematic nature of the sign removals made it clear that people supporting Ausmus were targeting Deligianni’s signs.  First, the signs were posted on a Friday evening and removed within hours in the dead of night.  Secondly, nearly every Deligianni sign in Anaheim Hills was removed, but every single instance where a Deligianni sign was next to an Ausmus sign, the Ausmus sign was left untouched.  A witness driving by noted seeing a Deligianni sign being taken by a white male who resembled a “boxer” from behind.  Also, one of the rare Deligianni signs that survived in Anaheim Hills…well, I think this trio of pictures makes it clear what happened to the survivor signs:

Then, volunteers put out more signs on Sunday night.  The signs were still up as of 7 PM on Monday but most of them disappeared during the dead of night.  It wasn’t city crews because those guys aren’t out working that late.  Plus, you guessed it, the Ausmus signs were left untouched.

If one candidate’s side removed signs attacking their candidate, I’d understand if these were “Stop Ausmus” signs that were being removed because attack signs are a different animal.  However, removing an opponent’s signs that simply promote her candidacy is just plain anti-democratic and insulting to the voters.

In further sign abuse, this sign was placed on the campus of Canyon High School, violating the age-old regulation of campaign signs not being placed on school property:

In an abuse of school resources, this email went out from Team Ausmus from a school district email account over an official Orange Unified School District e-mail list sent to the families of the Canyon High School Class of 2015 (today’s sophomores).

From: “Ausmus, Leslie” <REDACTED@orangeusd.org>
Date: September 28, 2012, 2:57:36 PM PDT
To: “chsclassof2015” <REDACTED@listserv.orangeusd.k12.ca.us>
Subject: FW: 09.28.12 Listserv
Reply-To: “chsclassof2015” <REDACTED@listserv.orangeusd.k12.ca.us>

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Lengthy email message edited for brevity. Scroll to bottom of this post for full e-mail.]…

For the purpose of clarification, and because many of you (and your students) have asked, yes, the candidate running for our school board named “Bob Ausmus” is related to me. He’s my husband. :)

As always, if you have questions or concerns, let me know. The best contact is via email at: REDACTED@orangeusd.org . I hope you all have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Leslie Ausmus

Sophomore Counselor, Class of 2015

If it weren’t for the never-ending series of abuses from Team Ausmus, it might have been plausible that this was an innocent mistake, but taken in the totality of circumstances, it is clear that this was a flimsy excuse to announce the candidacy of Bob Ausmus to the entire list of families of Canyon High sophomores.  (Indeed, we didn’t know about this email until an angry parent passed it on.)  If some people ask you a political question, you don’t send a mass email to hundreds of people on a school district email list, you respond to them individually.

My father, who immigrated to the United States after fleeing from Communist Vietnam, expressed his outrage at the actions of the Ausmus side, noting that democracy is harmed when people try to suppress free speech, hide information from the voters, and abuse public resources.  He said, “I’m disgusted that he has to steal signs instead of letting everyone get their name out there.  That’s just wrong.  And then to use a school email list?  Unbelievable!”

Unbelievable is right, Dad.  The arrogance of the Ausmus campaign of not providing information to voters, stealing/covering opponent signs, and then abusing school resources is utterly repugnant.

Here is the entire Ausmus email to the Class of 2015 parent mailing list: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Orange Unified School District | Tagged: , , , , | 19 Comments »

Jordan Brandman campaigns by being naivete

Posted by Allen Wilson on October 15, 2012

The Voice of Orange County penned an article entitled “Brandman Vows to Support Living Wage and Council Districts“, which is eye opening for those who are following the Anaheim City Council contest.

Los Amigos of Orange County have been long odds with Jordan Brandman, because they doubt his sincerity and more importantly his credibility.

What was amazing in the article that Brandman was asked whether he believed “police brutality” ever exists in Anaheim neighborhoods.

Brandman replied, “Police brutality?”

The article most damning and telling quote from Dr. Jose Moreno, leader of Los Amigos of Orange County, says this about Brandman, “To say that I don’t know it’s happening means you’re not living in the community.”

Now, Brandman supports a “Living Wage”, which would only increase the costs of running Anaheim City government.

Also, Brandman supports council districts.

Every political campaign has it’s own silly season, but for Brandman to circle the wagons to gain support and votes in all of Anaheim proudly says that he is endorsed by former Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.

The Voice of OC article points out that Brandman says, “Curt Pringle is a supporter, but I am my own man.”

This YouTube is very telling at the very end Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Anaheim) advises Brandman to “stop while your ahead”.

Being naivete is not the best suit for someone who has little or no clue of the machinations inside and outside of Anaheim City Hall politics much less sitting on the dais by making decisions that affects over 300,000 Anaheim residents.

Brandman is not his own man, because Anaheim voters should not be fooled of the invisible strings that hangs over the head and shoulders of a man who is simply naivete PERIOD!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Live from OCGOP Central Committee – Third and Final Round of Endorsements

Posted by Chris Nguyen on October 15, 2012

Believe it or not, there’s still one more round of endorsements for the Republican Party of Orange County. They’re up tonight. The races in question are:
San Juan Capistrano City Council
Laguna Niguel City Council
Mesa Consolidated Water District, Division 1
Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 6
Huntington Beach Union High School District
No on Measure M (Coast Community College District)
Irvine City Council (Possible Third Endorsement; Christina Shea was endorsed in Round One in August, and Lynn Schott was endorsed in Round Two in September)

7:19 PM – Two new alternates sworn in.

7:20 PM – Elected officials and candidates introduce themselves: Baron Night, Cathy Green, Charles Hart, Greg Sebourn, Mike Munzing, Eric Bever, Sam Allevato, Brian Chuchua, Jerry McCloskey, Robert Ming, Steven Choi, Karina Onofre, Brett Boxmiller, Roy Byrnes, Kim McCarthy, Don Wagner, Lynn Schott, Steve Nagel, Mark McCurdy, Fred Whitaker, Deborah Pauly, Denis Bilodeau, John Briscoe, Lucille Kring, Diane Harkey, Scott Voigts, Ed Royce, Travis Allen, and Larry Kramer.

7:23 PM – Congressman Ed Royce speaks of his race for re-election against Jay Chen and of Assemblyman Chris Norby’s race for re-election against Sharon Quirk-Silva and urges Republicans to assist Royce and Norby. Royce reports the America Shining Super PAC and Chen’s campaign have spent about $1,000,000 against him. Royce notes he’s given $1,000,000 to other Republican congressional candidates, and that’s one of the reasons he’s being targeted.

7:27 PM – Central Committee Member Desare Ferraro introduces the four new Youth Associate Board Members, who several female Central Committee members note are all female. They come from three public high schools and one private high school.

7:30 PM – First Vice Chairman John Warner, filling in for Chairman Scott Baugh, notes the 18 Republican headquarters throughout the county. He speaks of victory party on November 6 at 8 PM at the Costa Mesa Westin, sponsored by Tom Phillips of Eagle Publishing.

7:33 PM – Central Committee Treasurer Mark Bucher speaks of the Pepperdine poll that finds Prop 32 ahead. He speaks of the television ad campaign.

7:35 PM – Endorsements Committee Chair Mark Bucher gives a rundown of the last Endorsements Committee meeting.

7:38 PM – In response to a question, Bucher explains the weird situation in Irvine where if Steven Choi wins the mayor’s race, two council seats will be elected, but if Larry Agran wins the mayor’s race, then three council seats will be elected. Evan Chemers wants a third endorsement.

7:41 PM – Central Committee Member Steve Sarkis pulls San Juan Capistrano City Council.

7:42 PM – On Bucher’s motion and Sarkis’s second, the Central Committee votes unanimously to endorse Jerry McCloskey for Laguna Niguel City Council, Eric Bever for Mesa Consolidated Water District Division 1, Jeff Thomas for Municipal Water District of Orange County Division 6, and John Briscoe for Huntington Beach Union High School District Full-Term.

7:44 PM – On Central Committee Second Vice Chairman Mary Young’s motion, the Central Committee votes unanimously to make no endorsement for San Juan Capistrano City Council.

7:45 PM – There is a slight delay, as the By-Laws are consulted on the procedure to endorse Evan Chemers for Irvine City Council.

7:48 PM – It is a moot point, as no one actually motions for a Chemers endorsements.

7:49 PM – The Central Committee votes unanimously to endorse a “No” vote on Measure M, the Coast Community College District bond measure.

7:50 PM – Central Committee Member Jon Fleischman, publisher of the Flash Report, gives a presentation on all the statewide ballot propositions.

8:11 PM – Assemblywoman Diane Harkey speaks against Proposition 31 because it gives too many concessions to the left and that it gives the executive branch too much power over the Legislature.

8:13 PM – Central Committee Member Marcia Gilchrist says the CRP paid for the door hangers, so their endorsement stands.

8:14 PM – Central Committee Member Bill Dunlap says the Newport HQ is crossing out Yes on 31 and putting No on 31 instead.

8:16 PM – Assemblyman Don Wagner, an OC Political blogger, says the party should allow volunteers to write No on 31 if they oppose 31 out of respect for the volunteers.

8:17 PM – Central Committee Second Vice Chairman Mary Young says CRP paid for the hanger, and it is inappropriate to change the hangers without CRP’s consent.

8:18 PM – Bill Dunlap repeats his belief the hangers should be changed.

8:19 PM – Jon Fleischman echoes Gilchrists and Young’s comments. He also notes that you can’t change a door hanger that says, “The California Republican Party’s endorses…” to another position.

8:20 PM – The Central Committee moves on.

8:21 PM – Mary Young speaks of the importance of volunteering for Republican candidates and ballot measures. She notes Central Committee Secretary Zonya Townsend’s church registered 1,174 new Republicans.

8:23 PM – Zonya Townsend speaks of volunteerism and presents two OCGOP Volunteers of the Month.

8:42 PM – Central Committee Treasurer Mark Bucher says all the bills are paid.

8:43 PM – Diane McGlinchey speaks about the Romney campaign in OC. She thanks Marcia Gilchrist for subsidizing 1,000 Romney signs in OC.

8:46 PM – Mike Munzing promotes his fundraiser on Wednesday, October 17 from 5:30 PM-8:30 PM at Stadium Brewing.

8:47 PM – John Warner promotes the presidential debate watching party sponsored by Congressman Rohrabacher at the Costa Mesa GOP HQ above Skosh Monahan’s

8:48 PM – The Central Committee adjourns.

Posted in Coast Community College District, Huntington Beach Union High School District, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mesa Consolidated Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Republican Central Committee, San Juan Capistrano | Leave a Comment »

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