Back in the early 2000s, we activists were about to root out a Mission Viejo City Council majority that sapped reserves to build lavish facilities and catered to special interests like developers, contractors and consultants.
Unable to defend its actions, the majority regime and its supporters launched a frontal attack on activists, ultimately claiming we were mean-spirited and evil. I sent an accusing newspaper letter to my brother, Rick, a priest in Florida. Then a Chamber of Commerce executive wrote a newspaper letter to the effect that we weren’t evil, just silly and stupid. I sent it to Rick, and he quickly expressed his relief that he wouldn’t have to study for an exorcism – to chase the devil from my activist body. Mission Viejo voters instead exorcised the old regime, by a 3-1 margin at the 2002 elections.
Here we go again, 2009. A new city council majority is creating fiscal calamity. But more pertinent, City Council Member Lance MacLean is facing a recall stemming from reported instances of violence and verbal abuse, the latter occurring in a closed city council meeting. He has taken anger management training. His liberal supporters have ignored these core issues and have turned their guns on conservative activists. They would like Mission Viejo citizens to believe that activists like myself want to commandeer city government and shut down the library and animal shelter. Watch for the lies and fear-mongering to accelerate. Let’s think about this:
My wife, Karen, and I spend a lot of time with our family. My 2-1/2-year-old grandson, Ryan, has our whole agenda planned out when Baba Allan and Grammy Karen come to visit. First we dig in the dirt with his backhoe, then walk to the park, and later read books.
But MacLean supporters imply I would tell Ryan I won’t be visiting him for a while because I would rather spend my time taking over the Mission Viejo City Hall with my activist buddies like Larry Gilbert. MacLean boosters ridiculously claim Larry would become city manager. Folks, Larry and his wife, Carolyn, are world travelers; recently back from three weeks in Africa. He is retired and plays golf regularly with a large group mostly from his church. I play with them on occasion and they welcome me like I play every week. Larry and Carolyn are involved in many charitable works. All the activists have rich, personal lives.
I have an idea for how MacLean supporters can make their attacks more compelling. Instead of false accusations about shutting down the animal shelter and presumably shipping the dogs and cats to the county pound in Orange, why not charge that we activists would simply open up the cages and let these helpless critters run into the arroyo where the coyotes would capture and eat them? That could surely raise another 150 votes or so to help MacLean stave off his recall.
Allan Pilger
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Mr Piler again has summarized the issues at hand.
I can never forget the first time I got involved with city politics. It was over the extended and very costly installation of The Lake Promenade.
Getting answers about costs, schedules, and objectives of this project from either Sherri Butterfield or Susan Withrow, the then powers in charge, was impossible. Effectively I was told to mind my business and just go away; they didn’t care to answer a citizens’ questions.
Once again these same old forces for deceit and deception are reemerging and using one of the candidates and his web site to debase and besmirch certain Mission Viejo citizens. They don’t answer issues at hand, they would rather castigate the concerned.
This coming recall election in February is again a cross road for the city of Mission Viejo. The very issue of open and honest government is at stake. Do we again return to the arrogance of a selected few folks that mislead and exploit the citizens, or do we choose to move forward and promote open and honest government.
I choose transparency and honesty !!
It is one of life’s ironies that I got involved in local politics after Lance was unfairly attacked in a last minute “hit” mailer by Roger Faubel days before the 2000 election. I was angered by the unfairness and dishonesty. Now, how the circumstances have changed ! Many of us later became disillusioned by the behavior of a couple of supposed reformers we helped elect. Well, we can get rid of one of them soon. I hope we have better luck next time because the cushion of city reserves will not tolerate much more of this.