Comments on: Interview with Rich Atkinson, candidate, 2008 Mission Viejo city council

By: larry gilbert

larry gilbert — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:24:48 +0000

Allan.
My sense is that my interview caught Mr. Atkinson off guard. His handlers must have read him the riot act for speaking to me.
In discussing his campaign funding Rich told me that while he did not have a campaign manager his budget is $68,000 and that they are shooting for $75,000. Did he hit the slot machine somewhere or should we be watching to see what “special interests” contribute to his campaign. I would also monitor the contributions of councilman Frank Ury to see if they in fact align.

By: allan pilger

allan pilger — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:13:12 +0000

Larry’s interview with Rich Atkinson crystalizes for me how the City of Mission Viejo has become virtually disfunctional.
Atkinson seems to be as clueless as current councilmembers, whose lack of oversight led to massive cost overruns on virtually every capital project, forcing the city to dip into reserves. And, yet, he’s a planning commission here and is a muncipal employee in another city. Absolutely amazing.
Instead of holding top brass accountable for phony statements on Easelgate, council members say activist blogs lack crediblilty. But they offer no specifics. Atkinson said Larry misquoted him, but so far offers no specifics. He’ll fit in just fine with that city council bunch.
He’s got a $68,000 budget, so we’ll see if it comes from special interests like other council members’ war chests.

By: Larry Gilbert

Larry Gilbert — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:51:29 +0000

Juice readers.

Earlier today I contacted Mission Viejo council candidate Rich Atkinson to verify that he had received my email copy of the blog post. In addition I asked if he had any questions about the facts as presented. His response was that I didn’t quote him accurately to which I replied “why didn’t you notify me?” I said that if I made any mistakes I would surely issue a correction. In our interview I took several notes which I later referred to in my draft. In addition, I asked him to point out specifics. As of now I have yet to hear back from him.
Just for the record I have also had recent exchanges with Gail Reavis, Cathy Schlicht and Neil Lonsinger, the other candidates where I issued a blog report. Not one of them refuted any of the data in those stories.

Having received a hard copy document from a non activist whom I fully trust, alleging that Mr. Atkinson and Frank Ury were running as a team, I came right out and asked him.

Rich said they were not running together. While I have received multipe verbal inputs to the contrary, I told him I will not report that as fact. Based on his answer I told him that I will not make that announcement on this blog. However, should that become a reality, than all gloves are off.

By: Haya

Haya — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:16:31 +0000

I have witnessed Commissioner Atkinson support the community by voting against the ATS Wireless Master Plan; and also supporting the Gilleran Park community when they appeared at a cell tower hearing in opposition to T-Mobile’s application.

However, I have concerns when I read that Mr. Atkinson is receiving the support of Paul Glaab; mayor of Laguna Niguel. This is the very same Paul of Glaab & Associates whom the city of MV hired to MARKET the ATS Wireless Master Plan.

The city manager paid Glaab $14,000 to produce one propagandized fact sheet.

While the Planning Commission did not play a part in this contract, I wonder if Mr. Atkinson could provide some concrete answer as to the exact nature of his relationship with Paul Glaab.

Haya Sakadjian
http://www.MVcell-out.org

By: Observer

Observer — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:32:17 +0000

I have not seen Atkinson at any council meeting EVER, but I heard from someone who attends meetings that Atkinson made an appearance very recently. It is incomprehensible that someone could be on a city commission and not know about 13 change orders resulting in a project going three times over budget.

As another troubling matter, Atkinson says he’s a member of the traffic subcommittee. That’s grim, since traffic gets worse by the day. Perhaps he’ll tout his contributions to public safety along with his traffic experience, since fewer accidents occur when everyone is driving 5 mph.

More information is needed on this candidate. For example, does he have any work experience outside government? What’s his background in managing a budget of $60M a year? The source of his $68K for a campaign would be my first question.

By: Joe Holtzman

Joe Holtzman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:07:34 +0000

I have attended a number of Planning Commission Meetings and I do not ever recall Commissioner Atkinson even speaking.

I also believe that being unaware of the gross overspending on the Murray Center expansion is an indication of this candidate being out of touch with what is/was going on in the community. In addition not having an opinion of The Montenoso Recreation Center rework is disconcerting.

Traffic flow does need improvement. Today I traveled between OSO and Crown Valley Parkway. The traffic was so slow and congested that a kid on a skate board made it to Crown Valley before I did. So just what are the specific improvements Commissioner Atkinson has in mind, and have they ever been put to paper.??