Comments on: Politics: Mr. Violence Is Mayor Of Safest City

By: Rick Moore

Rick Moore — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:46:59 +0000

When I first read that MacLean was going to be mayor, right in the midst of a recall election, I couldn’t figure out if this was a huge “in your face” to those promoting the recall, or if it was just his turn because he was Mayor Pro Tem. After reading further it looks like the “in your face” idea has prevailed.

The City Council is not a fiefdom to be controlled by just a few, but must be responsive to the citizens of Mission Viejo. That responsiveness appears to have been lacking in recent years.

This country is about to go through another big political revolution in 2010 (unless a lot of things in Washington stop or are changed for the better), and if it takes something similar on a local level to return the government to the people, so be it.

By: Dan Avery

Dan Avery — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:14:10 +0000

Two glaring logical faults in all of this. If Mr. MacLean only won by 94 votes and has since gotten nothing but bad press then it’s logical he’d lose in November. So why spend $270,000 of our money to get rid of him nine months early? Someone who is “disgruntled” doesn’t sit around for ten months stewing about it and then write a very calm, controlled email to a city council. Rather, they pick up their Uzi and head for the nearest McDonalds.

By: Rob LoBue

Rob LoBue — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:36:04 +0000

[Re: Mr. Violence] Regardless of how you feel about the recall, to put a guy who could be bounced out of office in 3 months as Mayor is stupidity on the highest level and is just an embarrassment to the city. It makes you wonder if these 3 "leaders" are actually striving to make MV look like a Banana Republic. Its clear this was done for no reason other than out of spite as zero good can come of the future headline, "MV Mayor Removed from Office."

By: Diane Greenwood

Diane Greenwood — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:02:39 +0000

As you may all recall, Lance MacLean put out 500 signs the weekend before the 2006 election that I was in. Those signs said “Reject Greenwood and Barker. They will raise your taxes and lower your property value”. It was an absurd claim, but he was running scared.

It was that same weekend that he verbally assaulted me on the corner of La Paz and Marguerite, a few inches from my face. He was angry that he might lose, and was willing to win at any cost. He did, by 94 votes, and now is running scared again and is now putting out signs making citizens fear that their taxes could raise and property values decline if they do not keep him in office.

If Lance MacLean has another anger outburst and attempts to strangle another person while presiding as mayor, that is when the city can be wiped out financially. It will affect every citizen in Mission Viejo. We cannot afford to keep Lance MacLean in office…he is a liability.

I doubt that the Mission Viejo Police Department will protect him again. He now has a record and too many people have been on the other side of his anger. I have heard from many such people since my episode with him, and believe that they are now ready to come forward. There is safety in numbers.
UCI did the right thing and now it is time for the citizens of Mission Viejo to do the same.

I urge everyone to vote in favor of the recall and remove a man who is a liability to our city and all of its citizens. This is how you truly protect your taxes, property values, and your family.

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:01:23 +0000

A correction to Rich Rodriguez: It is inappropriate to credit me for work performed under the leadership of Connie Lee.

Another point. John Paul was passed over last year when the council majority rewarded Fank Ury for changing his position and reinstating lifetime health care access immediately after the Nov 2008 election.

The council should have censured Lance after he gave our city a black eye with his run-in with a fellow UCI Director so that four police had to take him down to handcuff him.

As a writer for the Orange Juice blog I have given Connie positive support and am awaiting the outcome of the 3-month delayed allegations.

By: Mark Dobrilovic

Mark Dobrilovic — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:02:06 +0000

In the past 7 elections (2004 to 2010) there have been 14 Positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem filled. By my calculation only 3 of those slots were filled by NON-MUKsters, I guess when FU says “I have always supported a part time council, rotating Mayor position and term limits” he means the Mayor position rotates from one MUKster to another. So much for the people being represented.

By: Liz Blek

Liz Blek — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:30:42 +0000

Upon reading of this latest high handed maneuver … the mayoral “election” … I thought “oh my word!” However,
after reflecting for only a short moment my thought was “why am I surprised?” It’s only more of the “good old boy club,” the “who cares what the public wants” and/or “who cares what may be the right thing to do” thinking that seems to exist among our city council majority.

We have a chance with the next election to make a change. I fervently hope that there are enough independent thinkers among the Mission Viejo electorate to make this happen!

Attention citizens – think for yourselves, don’t be fooled by the “no new taxes” claim on McLean posters or his claim of intending to give back the health benefits. Ury said that too and then look what happened the day after the election!

Most importantly get out and vote on election day. If we let the special interests win we have only ourselves to blame!

By: Rich Rodriguez

Rich Rodriguez — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:20:54 +0000

It is a shame that John Paul Ledesma was passed over for Lance Maclean as Mayor. He was the next in line and it should have gone to him.

It is also a shame that Connie is being made to look like she didn’t know what she was doing. She has lead such a strong fight for the recall that I’d hate for anything to happen now. I’m sure that she and Dale and Larry were doing what they thought was right. Why haven’t they spoken up for her?

By: Joe Holtzman

Joe Holtzman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:52:47 +0000

MacLean’s thug tactics continue on. I arrived within minutes of his threatening action of Diane Greenwood. Diane was terrified and clearly frightened for her personal safety. This is the same act he pulled in closed session with Gail Reavis. These are all documented facts/events.

Now we have Sherri Butterfield and Susan Withrow (both Brown Act violators) reemerging from their banishment and attempting to re-secure their power. On top of that Sharon Cody, using foul and abusive language in the public comments portion of the last city council meeting, is defending MacLean and his abusive behavior.

Safest city?? Only if you keep an eagle on MacLean when he is anywhere around! My mother would have had quick action for Sharon Cody – Cody’s mouth washed out with soap !!

One has to wonder about Kelley’s moral compass also on this issue. Ury has proven his compass is defective!!