Today’s OC Register contains a timely report of “contributions given or independent expenditures made by public safety groups to current state officials or candidates for state office, including state lawmakers, the governor and constitutional officers, such as the attorney general.”
What the Register failed to include is the current spending by our very own OCSD union on behalf of Mission Viejo Mayor Lance MacLean with TV commercials on FOX News opposing the recall of Lance.
What amazes me is that the union leader(s) ignored the very first charge in the RECALL against Lance which reads:
VIOLENCE when you were arrested by Police for assault and battery on a coworker.
Every voter in Mission Viejo should have received their sample ballot on Saturday.
In his answer Lance intentionally avoids responding to that charge. He also avoids any response to charges of ANGER and INCIVILITY or HATRED and DISRESPECT.
Folks. The costly TV ads are paid for by the Orange County Sheriff’ Deputy’s Union.
This is the same Lance MacLean who opposed additional funding for two OCSD deputies during one of our city council budget meetings. The irony can be found in his ballot answer where Lance claims that a group of residents will take over the city and “reduce or eliminate funding for Sheriff’s deputies” yet his July 2, 2007 vote, which is a public record, is more powerful than any sky will fall crystal ball.
Agenda Item #21 “Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Ledesma, to increase the 2007-2008 budget by $425,000 for two School Resource (OCSD) Deputies, two fully equipped patrol cars, and two portable radios.
On Roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:
Council Member Kelley, Council Member Ury, Mayor Pro-Temore Ledesma and Mayor Reavis
NOES: Council Member MacLean
Gilbert closing comments.
Sadly the OCSD union failed to engage in “Trust But, Verify” before agreeing to support Lance MacLean who opposed expanding their ranks.
I will send a copy of this post to Wayne J. Quint, Jr, President, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs
Larry:
Could we have two peas in a pod here ??
It could be the union is only interested in their own special interest and to heck with what is right, and who cares about morality.
MacLean is a time bomb waiting to go off–just give him more time and he will cause the city a astronomical law suit.
Email from Diane Greenwood who challenged Lance in our 2006 city council election.
“Dear Mr. Gilbert,
You might add that when I opposed then Mayor McLean in the 2006 election, I had to dial 911 to seek help against Mayor McLean who was verbally assaulting me within inches of my face after he stole my personal property. I had to beg him not to hit me as I waited for the sheriff to respond, as he was very frightening and I feared serious physical assault. Luckily, citizens who witnessed the assault came to help protect me from Mr McLean. The sheriff deputies that responded to the call refused to write a formal report on the theft and assault, even though they had witness testimony as well as the physical evidence of the theft. I have a picture that was taken at the scene with the officers and Mr. McLean in it if they would like to verify the incident. (You may have it as well, and are welcome to attach it to this letter if you forward it on.)
Mr. McLean proceeded to physically assault a fellow employee at UCI the following year and UCI certainly responded differently than our our own sheriff’s dept did for me. Our MV Sheriff’s Dept protected the one who was doing the assaulting (Mr McLean) instead of the victim, probably because he was the mayor.
And now they are financially supporting him? Something is terribly wrong with this picture and perhaps they should be looking at the 911 call placed the day before election by me and the physical evidence that Mr McLean was caught taking, that the police took with them in the police car that day. They should also read the witness reports or call the witnesses to verify the incident. I have the name and phone number of one of the witnesses that day if they did not keep it.
It was evident that the OC Sheriff’s Dept. was avoiding at all costs filing a report against the mayor even though the incident warranted it.
I learned a lot about politics that day and was very sad to find that it involved our own MV Sheriff Deputies.
Please feel free to forward this to the OC Register and our state officials that are copied below.
Diane Greenwood”
Another email from a female resident of Mission Viejo.
”
This kind of heat should really be put on not only the sheriff’s department, but also Gary Miller as well.”
In a phone call from a Mission Viejo Democrat I was told that CNN is airing the same ad.
Obviously they purchased a TV spots package.
Taken from the UC Irvine Police Department crime report as reported in the 03/05/09 OC Weekly:
“After a short verbal altercation (about 30 seconds) between the two men, Maclean [sic] took a step forward and bumped [Jack] McManus against the chest. Maclean then extended both his arms out and placed his hands around McManus’s neck. Maclean then shoved McManus against the wall and started to lift McManus up while his hands were still around McManus’ neck.”
The police report then says it took four cops to break MacLean’s grip, wrestle him to the floor and handcuff him over snarls of “Get the f— off of me; get the f— off of me.”
Hmmm, let me see. MacLean was never charged or even investigated. But Dale Tyler is sure being investigated by the Orange County DA and by the FPPC. In fact, I sent Tyler’s extremely late, as in over six weeks past the legal deadline, to the FPPC. Tyler also missed the 12/24 deadline filing for his campaign’s 460 form. Seems he has a lot of trouble obeying the laws. Great solution you rounded up for us this time, Larry.
True to form Dan, the MacLeanite–does not address the issue. MacLean is the problem Dan. Your lost in a fog Dan. Address the problem Dan !!!
Dan. As we enter a new year can you kindly stay on the thread?
As a Mission Viejo resident and member of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS, I oppose the waste of over $270,000 being spent on a recall election for a council member who will face the voters in the regular election cycle for his council seat in a short nine months after the recall.
The position to OPPOSE the re-call election as a waste of taxpayer money –money that could be used to benefit public safety or the community — is a separate issue from support for a candidate.
As a separate issue – the recall election should be OPPOSED.
All residents will get to decide on Lance McLean as a council member when he faces re-election in the regular cycle November election.
To spend $270,000 for this special recall election is a huge waste of money and resources which could be better used to make Mission Viejo a better community in which to live and work.
Tin Star, while I too I principle (as a waste of money) oppose the recall less than a year before Lance’s term is up, the money has already been spent. Why have that money go to further waste by not taking advantage of the opportunity to relieve Mission Viejo residents of the elitist and angry attitude that is ever-present in Lance MacLean? Having personally been on the losing side of his attitude I will gladly participate in the vote on Feb 2.
Tin Star.
Have you read this post? If so do you have any comment that Lance was the only member of the city council to oppose adding two deputies with all back up support yet your union is spending member dues to support him? Why?
Regardless of the recall election cost the sample ballots have been mailed and we will have a winner or losers come Feb 2nd.
Mr. Gilbert, I read you blog post about the 2007 agenda item. I also recall the September 21, 2009 council meeting where the Council approved by a 4-1 vote the use of grant monies to support the city police service motorcycle patrol unit. Council member MacLean voted to support this program and he also made very positive and supportive comments about the Mission Viejo Police Services Unit and the School Resource Officers.
Most citizens support the existing level of city services – especially public safety and the $270,000 being spent on this recall could have been used to supplement existing services to increase police patrols or tactical enforcement units to deal with some the crime issues in the city. It could be used to supplement fire services in our community as well.
There is a lot of deception involved in this recall and should be defeated simply because of that. It was based on incomplete and misleading information provided to pedestrians who really wanted to shop and not have people interrupting their day by asking them to sign petitions.
The regularly scheduled city council election in November, when the citizenry is much more atuned to elections, is the proper place to debate the performance of sitting council members.
Still, the recall election is a waste of taxpayer money and time. It should be defeated. VOTE NO on the RECALL!
Tin Star.
I truly an getting tired of the word “deception.” Are you referring to the allegations that a group of MV watchdogs are about to take over the city and shut down or cut back on our library, animal shelter and police services? That’s the kind of nonsense you can find in the candidate statements of Lance MacLean and Dave Leckness along with similar Armageddon/Doomsday predictions from former mayor Sharon Cody.
Keep beating that drum if it makes you feel good. The election is on. The cost , when all factors are considered, is justified. He could have saved the city this money by departing just as he did at UCI.
Amazing that the OCSD union is spending thousands of dollars to protect Lance MacLean who left a very good post as a Director at UCI because he was choking a fellow Director and it took four police to get him to the ground to place him in handcuffs. You don’t walk away from a job after 27 years to go on the unemployment roles for almost a full year . And you claim to be a sworn officer? I don’t buy it.
Mr. Gilbert: I too am tired of the deception. I was first really aggravated by it when I was confronted by a signature gatherer in front of a market and told that Council member MacLean had spent millions of dollars in taxpayer money on certain projects which had allowed reserves to shrink……..Of course, Council member MacLean only was able to do this by getting at least two other council members to go along on the vote of the council.
In other words, any and all actions by MacLean were by his actions as a member of the city council. This was never mentioned to me when I listened to these signature gatherers nor did they have a reply to me when I asked them if MacLean spend this money on his own or as a part of the council.
The deception continued when I was told that the ONLY way to fix the budget issue was to recall MacLean — the signature gatherers also had no comment when I asked them why -if I didn’t like how Council member MacLean was doing his job – why, I couldn’t just vote MacLean out in the regularly scheduled November city council election?
Then of course, the deception from in front of the store continued behind the scenes in what now has been disclosed as unqualified signature gatherers and so-called grass-roots signature gatherers that were really paid out-of-towners.
So, the deception is really disgusting and the recall should be voted down. It’s a total waste of taxpayer money all based upon a personal vendetta being sold to an unsuspecting public in the name of good government.
Finally, I would be happy to show you my law enforcement credentials. Name the time and place.
Tin Star. There you go again. Deception.
Did someone twist your arm to sign a Petition? If the text doesn’t agree with what you were told then simply walk away. After all you led us to believe that you were a member of the OCSD. Did a little old lady hold you captive?
PS: This is a friendly warning. If you return with comments not directly related to the post text you leave me no choice but to delete your remarks.
AGAIN – Taken from the UC Irvine Police Department crime report as reported in the 03/05/09 OC Weekly:
“After a short verbal altercation (about 30 seconds) between the two men, Maclean [sic] took a step forward and bumped [Jack] McManus against the chest. Maclean then extended both his arms out and placed his hands around McManus’s neck. Maclean then shoved McManus against the wall and started to lift McManus up while his hands were still around McManus’ neck.”
The police report then says it took four cops to break MacLean’s grip, wrestle him to the floor and handcuff him over snarls of “Get the f— off of me; get the f— off of me.”
Me thinks Tin Star is a dimmest star. Keep on point Dim Star–ooops Tin Star.
By the way–how about taking your badge to quick copy and asking Dave Leckness for the illegal he has working for him !!
Trasiling-the- Enemy
This is truly a challenge. To have both sides stay on the topic.
Obviously this recall election is heating up. I anticipate a heavy vote by mail turnout long before Feb 2nd.
You complain about what the new ads are saying on television? What about the “Stop the violence Yes on Recall” signs popping up? Your group couldn’t come up with anything else for your signs? And don’t say your not one of the very small group! And don’t start using the numbers of people who signed the recall petition as those were illegally bought by Ms Lee and the rest of your group. You are just as guilty as the rest of the them no matter how hard you try to separate yourself from them.
Your group of MV watchdogs need to be picked up by an Animal Control Group other then the MV one as they always try to find homes for their animals as I could only wish an outside agency would pick your watch “dog” group up and they don’t save those that people don’t want. God save MV
Your group keeps on amazing me!!!!!
Perhaps you need to go back to the post. This story is about AOCDS union funds being spent on TV ads to promote a man who have exhibited violence and opposed adding two deputies in a city budget meeting. I do not recall seeing anything about signs in this post. That being said at least the signs calling for his recall were not put up until after Christmas while his defenders had theirs out very early. I do not recall you complaining about those signs.
And yes, a sign calling for the recall of Lance MacLean is in my front planter for all to see!
Last warning. Stay on the thread and stop wasting my time with peripheral stuff.
Mr. Gilbert,
How about this: The recall election has cost the taxpayers of Mission Viejo $270,000 that could have been better used for public safety improvements in a time of a poor economy that has resulted in decreased tax revenues to the City. The Council member targeted for the recall election will face a regularly scheduled city council election in November where his decision-making and personal behavior issues can be fully examined by an informed electorate. ANY candidate elected as a result of the recall election will face re-election in November. This recall election is a waste of time, money and resources.
“Voting ‘NO’ on the RECALL is the only vote that makes sense in February, 2010.
Finally, my yard signs that say NO on the RECALL went up on December 26th.
Tin Star. do you have a problem with reading comprehension?
Do you support or oppose the OCSD union spending member dues in support of an elected official with a track record of violence? That’s all we shall cover on this post.
As I mentioned our yard sign let me add: While your sign may have gone up after Christmas I saw many supporting Lance at least a week before Christmas including one across the street from our home on city property.
I got the message.
And should you again raise the issue of the recall cost, unless its the post topic, I will delete that comment. Somehow you need to follow some very simple rules.
Mr. Gilbert,
The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) has made independent expenditures that are against the recall election and the position of AOCDS, as I understand it, is to OPPOSE the recall election as a BAD idea for the residents of Mission Viejo.
Thank you.
Tin Star.
The only “BAD idea” is getting involved in our recall election especially with Lance’s track record.
Juice readers. Earlier today I called union president Wayne Quint’s office and spoke to his secretary. In that discussion I mentioned this post, my sending him a copy, and provided both my land and cell phone numbers so that the president of the union could call back to challenge or justify this post. I urged him to respond. As of now he has not called me.
It is very interesting that the Sheriff’s union support violence. Lance MacLean has a history of violent actions–that is history
Tin Star.
I guess the citizens of Mission Viejo will have to remember this the next time our contract for police services comes up. Perhaps the Irvine Police Department would be interested in bidding on the contract !!
Trailing-the-Enemy
While I have heard some residents discussing options for our police services let me say that taking that step requires some in-depth cost benefit analysis.
As to the union participation I may be able to explain it.
At a birthday party for Frank Ury a few years ago I met union president Wayne Quint, Jr. While serving as our mayor earlier this year we all heard Frank Ury state that “we will do whatever it takes to fight the recall,” parphrased.
There is a strong possibility that anti teachers union advocate Frank Ury asked Wayne to pony up some bucks.
There are times when we should not allow a friendship to interfere in what is right. This union expenditure does not pass the smell test and sends a negative message on behalf of the hard working rank and file simply as a political gift to Frank Ury.
Larry,
Your authoritarian, control-freak panties are showing, the threads of a post should be allowed to go where they will, that’s what makes this blog interesting and informative.
Having not followed this story before, I must say that I agree with Tin Star’s point, this recall election is a waste of tax-payer money and generally recalls attract reactive uninformed voters.
Re: Tin Star, if the text doesn’t agree with what a signature gatherer is saying don’t walk away, call a cop. It’s against the law to give misleading statements to gather signatures. I’m sure Larry will want to know how I know that. The California Attorney General told me in a discussion we had over the Tyler/Lee petition drive. Larry I’m sure you’re getting tired of people pointing out deception…especially since it’s only Dale Tyler who has deceived. As for your article, of course the protective services are fighting the recall. The recall is nothing more than an attempt to undermine democracy. You know, I know it, and according to recent polls, more and more people are getting it. Here’s why: you guys can’t tell us why we have to remove Lance now when he will lose an election come November. That’s a big question for a conservative given the $270,000 for the election and then whatever else it’s costing state and county agencies to investigate Tyler and Lee. There isn’t even a question of “if” they broke laws, since Tyler’s finally filing the recall committee’s 460 and a revised 460 for the period of Jan to June. Those documents proved he broke the law. Simple logic tells me you won’t vote no on the recall and you won’t vote for Dave, so you solution seems to be to replace Lance with a guy who has no respect for laws, honesty, and integrity.
Oh and you can tell Holtzman he can drop the “James K. Polk” routine as his signature to your blog. And I’m not surprised you yourself couldn’t find a more clever nom de plume than “trailing-the-enemy.”
A sense of confidence in our police is essential. So is Tin Star stating that it is ok with the police union to delay justice? I wonder what Nicole Brown Simpson would say?
The primary purpose of the law is to protect its citizens. MacLean has a history of violence. The City Council should have removed him from all Committees and Commissions
when his assault of a UCI co-worker became public knowledge, instead, they elevated him to Mayor. What a slap in the face that action was to the citizens.
Voters everywhere are tired of “business as usual” by our elected officials. The voters recourse is the ballot box, and the sooner we can remove the criminal element from
office the better off we will all be. And in this case, the safer we will be.
J. Edgar Hoover. Really???
With your former leadership style, as an activist, I am at a loss for words. For those readers not familiar with your history as head of the FBI let me provide a sample:
“Late in life and after his death, Hoover became an increasingly controversial figure. He exceeded the jurisdiction of the FBI. He used the FBI to harass political dissenters and activists, to amass secret files on political leaders, and to use illegal methods to collect evidence. It is because of Hoover’s long and controversial reign that FBI directors are now limited to 10-year terms.”
And we are to accept anything you might have to say in 2009?
While you are making a point that “justice delayed is justice denied,” you are overlooking one key factor in this dysfunctional city council.
Case in point. I have an email from Frank Ury where he stated the following:
“It is pretty easy to see why Lance is doing so poorly, he does not even know what he believes in. As Sun Tzu said in the Art of War, those who know neither themselves nor their enemies will always be in peril during battle..It appears that Lance’s only belief is Lance.” That email is from 2003 but it only confirms how people can flip. Frank Ury worked very hard to defeat Lance, Trish and JP in the 2006 election and is now his best friend on the council. Together the MUK team rewards , rather than sanctions, Lance’s conduct. Only in Mission Viejo could this blind alliance occur.
Ass you so eloquently say: “This is a friendly warning. If you return with comments not directly related to the post text you leave me no choice but to delete your remarks.”
& “As we enter a new year can you kindly stay on the thread?”
Please stay on the original thread! Happy New Year (that is until Feb 3rd when the results come in and/or once the recall group is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law)
Your group keeps on amazing me!!!!!
Happy New Year to you as well.