Just elected Dave Leckness selected vice mayor of Mission Viejo

Tonight was a unique meeting of the Mission Viejo city council. To the best of my knowledge we have never recalled a member of any south County City Council until tonight.After the traditional Pledge and Invocation we had a short parade of MacLean and Leckness supporters providing public comments including Dave Allen who thanked those who voted followed by his statement that for all those who didn’t I have two words for you. “19 votes.”

When the council was asked to vote approval of the Official Results Lance cast a NO vote as “a personal protest.” Lance said he was disappointed in the slim margin of the results and that he had no issues with the ROV in performing their duties. He went on to say that “this will not end my commitment to participating in the community.”

Lance urged Dave to follow through on his priorities of expanding our tennis center, creating a dog park, and providing traffic relief.

This was followed by our City Clerk Karen Hamman administering the oath of office to Dave Leckness followed by his unique remarks to the full house in the council chambers. Dave acknowledged his family, friends, members of the Rotary club of Mission Viejo, four former Mission Viejo mayors, his pastor from Mount of Olives church and business colleagues.

He opened his speech saying that “I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to do this” but was encouraged by his campaign manager Ken Dever to throw his hat into the ring at a popular bagel restaurant.

Dave told us he thinks he can make a difference. He later said let’s start fresh. It’s OK to blog but you don’t have to be so negative. Say something nice about our city.

However, it’s time to cut to the chase. Item 6 tonight was the CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION. I have received a copy of an email from Trish Kelley to Dave and some of their supporters encouraging Dave to keep all of his yard signs for the fall election.

Dave admitted that he had things to learn but promised to do so. However Frank Ury immediately nominates Dave to be Mayor ProTem that was immediately seconded by Vice Mayor Trish Kelley. When it was time to nominate the Mayor Council Member Schlicht said she was blocked out when hitting the buzzer to speak as she wanted to nominate senior council member John Paul Ledesma who after almost 12 years only served as Mayor one time being bypassed on two occasions. Frank Ury buzzed in and Nominated Trish Kelley which was followed by a second from Dave Leckness.

While the outcome would not have changed, this is a new day in Mission Viejo. I’m not so sure about the power of three.

Instead of a day of celebrating Dave Leckness’s victory at least one public speaker went on the attack and even included my name as I sat quietly in the audience. A sad beginning for the newest member of our city council.

Notes: Before the meeting began I did show Dave my latest post of elimination of lifetime health care for part-time council members.

At a break before departing Joe Holtzman told Dave about our prior efforts and web site promoting the Mission Viejo business community. We can agree on the need to “retain, sustain and gain” business in the city of Mission Viejo.


About Larry Gilbert