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Ed. note (Vern) – I’ll be damned – Steve Oedekerk, my old school friend? (St Bonaventure Catholic School, Mater Dei High School class of ’78.) We even worked together briefly in the 90’s when I did music for a couple of his TV shows – work I really miss. He was the craziest standup comic I ever saw. I don’t know HOW many movies he’s made by now, but my favorites were “Nothing to Lose” with Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence (in which he has a great dancing cameo – see below), and “Ace Ventura” with Jim Carrey. Who knew, he’d become a mover, shaker, and developer in his adopted town of San Juan Capistrano?
Needless to say, Steve is welcome to post any kind of rebuttal here – that’s what we do at this “political mosh pit!” Meanwhile, as they say down there, The Swallows are back:
San Juan Capistrano Councilman Derek Reeve just can’t seem to keep himself out of trouble.
The self-styled “Constitutional Lawyer” doesn’t seem understand the laws he’s sworn to uphold. The latest is a complaint filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) against Reeve and would-be hotel developer and San Juan resident Steve Oedekerk, alleging that they cooked up a phony tabloid to influence the outcome of the 2018 election. After reviewing the volumes of evidence provided, the FPPC has opened up a formal investigation into the claims. [All the documents you could want are linked to at the end of the story.]
The allegation is that Derek Reeve, Steve Oedekerk and “The San Juan Scoop” operated as an unregistered Political Action Committee (PAC) which expressly advocated for Reeve and running mates Troy Bourne and John Taylor, while actively advocating against opposing candidates. The complaint suggests this was done in order to get various development projects approved, including a hotel that Oedekerk wants to build.
Typical front page of The Scoop – click for larger image.
What sets this apart from other run-of-the-mill FPPC complaints is the blatant nature of the use of “The Scoop” – a tabloid distributed city-wide. “The Scoop” has no listed editor, no publisher and is owned by an anonymous LLC in Nevada whose registered agent lists an address in the country of Panama.
The complaint alleges that while the ownership of “The Scoop” may be shrouded in secrecy, its purpose is not. In fact, the only thing transparent about the tabloid seems to be how openly it slammed the opponents of Reeve and his running mates in the 2018 city council election. Two “Special Election Editions” distributed within 60 days of the election were entirely devoted to advocating for Reeve, developer Troy Bourne and former San Juan Councilmember John Taylor (2012 – 2016), while attacking their opponents, incumbent Councilmembers Pam Patterson and Kerry Ferguson, Kim McCarthy, and former Councilmember Jeff Vasquez (who last served from 1990 – 1994).
The complaint was filed by SJC resident Mark Speros who is currently a city Planning Commissioner but who filed it as a private citizen. After he was targeted (and quickly cleared) by a Fair Political Practice Commission inquiry shortly after his initial appointment to the Planning Commission, he felt the same standards should apply to all elected officials, especially as egregious as these appeared to be. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as Speros is set to be interviewed by those very City Council Members as a candidate for re-appointment to the Planning Commission on this coming Monday, March 11th, for a third term.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS:
- FPPC Complaint, 2/12/19
- Letter from FPPC, 2/28/19
- September 2018 “Special Election Edition” of The Scoop
- October 2018 “Special Election Edition” of The Scoop
- Oedekerk e-mail minimizing his involvement with The Scoop
- Reeve and Oedekerk Vegas Trip – unreported gift?
- Urban Village Parking Agreement (an Oedekerk project requiring Reeve’s vote)
Living in SJC I never heard of Steve Oedekerk until the referendum on his 1st hotel /lawsuit when he showed up at council meetings lamenting “it’s not fair, “. Then he did it all over again for a 2nd time-failing for the same reasons he did the first time. His anger at not getting his way is well known throughout town…you better agree 100 percent with him no questions asked or you could be his next victim.
After reading the above editors note it all makes sense now…he’s a Hollywood DRAMA Queen who must get his way.
I personally figured this out right away while running for City Council in District 3 with 5 others in 2018. I kept every piece of paper and thought about doing just what Mike is doing. However, I didn’t want people to think I was a sore loser and mostly I just wanted to move forward. If I figured out right away who owned the scoop (it’s noted as a Nevada company) but really it is run out of SJC and we’re not stupid people, we know who it is. If I can help in any way to stop this political nastiness in any way I will do so. Good Luck Mike…let’s stop these people!
A Nevada company? Does it by any chance date from a certain councilman’s trip to Las Vegas, linked to in this story?
San Juan Capisrrano City Council and staff…How much longer will you allow Mr. Derek to continue on with his city council position? Many of us NO longer believe or trust his “leadership” of our town! When will you address these now 2 issues involving him? Mayor Maryott, you need to do something about this as it is now starting to negatively impact people’s impression of this current council. RESIGN REEVE!
Do these people think that they are so far south in the County that nobody will notice their corruption?
I read the links and I’m just stunned at the bravado ! How stupid do they think we are ?
Investigation by the FPPC is a far cry from conviction. I’m not sure that this is headline news.
The trick here seems to be at least similar to the one that Agranistas — and,later, anti-Agranistas — have used in Irvine: claiming “freedom of the press” as a basis for being able to produce and distribute political material without it being categorized as a donation. Those Irvine publications seem to have survived; I’m not sure that not having a listed publisher (which one could claim, however credibly, was out of fear of retaliation) or being registered out of state or having an agent from out of country would eliminate that defense. (I’m just addressing the legality here, rather than the ethics; so will the FPOC.)
I read, or tried to read, that tabloid but it was so emotionally overwrought and filled with angry rhetoric that it was tough to get through it. It’s like the articles were written by pissed off exes; long on histrionics, short on facts. After the 40th time reading ‘so-and-so is Satan’ I finally gave up.
It was obvious these people had a grudge against certain people, who they trashed over and over. It was just as obvious, at least to me and now evidently to the fppc, that it was nothing more than a political hit job. It will be interesting to see what the fppc finds.
Oedekerk should have stuck to acting or stand up whatever he did. He kinda sucks at the politics/development game. As for Reeve; I agree with the previous commenter; he should resign.
…and mostly screenwriting and directing, very successfully.
I just remembered Steve and I used to put out an underground magazine at Mater Dei in the 70s, “HANK Magazine,” part irreverent/satirical, part surrealistic. Funny how that foreshadowed what we’re both doing now.
Well, Oedekerk should have stuck with that. He hasn’t been successful at development in San Juan. As for politics, it will be interesting to see what the fppc says.
ANOTHER attempt by Kim McCarthy & her cohorts to remake Capo in her image. She’s been nothing but a pain in the ass to the people of Capo. She’s the most despicable person I’ve ever encountered in my 63 years of living in Capo. Her rag “Community Common Sense” has always relied on innuendos, half truths, & outright lies. After getting spanked a third time in her bid for Council she ought to just go away. She’s a blight on our fair city.
I agree Matt. We need new leadership but we need to do it the right way. I’m going to ride this one out and hopefully we actually get good candidates in 2022. I’d like to vote for Robert Hagstrom. He was an awesome guy.
This comment is a perfect example of the angry and histrionic rhetoric I was talking about. Not sure who you’re trying to convince with this kind of trash talk, but I’m sure I’m not the only one turned off by it.
Just to clarify, I meant the comment by Matt Gaffney. The other comment was more measured, even though I disagree with it.
@ So Cal Life…have you read the court docs regarding Mr. Gaffney??? He shouldn’t be throwig his nasty comments around to anyone. He has a very weedy back yard. The Mr. Gaffney court docs are are available to public access. He’s also a big Mr. Derek supporter! READ THE COURT DOCS.!
This is such a joke. He has a weedy backyard? Who the hell cares. I’m not saying Derek is in the right or wrong however, he won fair and square. We need good candidates to run and bad candidates to stop siphoning votes out. In district three we had 6 candidates! Let’s ride these four years out and encourage good people to run next time. And you obviously know nothing about Matt I see him every day at coffee chat. I don’t agree with him on most things but he’s a good guy and he has lived in San Juan longer than most.
CCA, we can tell by Gafney’s comment that he’s a real charmer. Since when is Coffee Chat every day?
Is it Opposite Day?
You don’t make much sense.
@ Coffee chat attendee…Mr. Gaffney “has lived in San Juan longer than most”… LOL, LOL and LOL more! RESIGN REEVE and GAFFNEY!
@ Matt Gaffney…By the way, this recent story ISN’T about Ms. McCarthy. Just stick to the facts and stop attempting to distract the readers here!! Why don’t you share your own past court history with the readers and those commenting??? I think they might find it interesting! Ms. McCarthy, hang in there! You are one awesome individual!
@ Coffee chat attendee…have you read the court docs.??? Are you AGREEING with what Mr. Gaffney is accused of doing??? If so, says a lot about YOUR own character. What he was accused of is NO joke! You are correct when you state we need to “encourage GOOD people to run”! RESIGN REEVE and GAFFNEY.
In addition, Mr. Gaffney is the one who RAILED at the City Council about a 92 year old veteran who had enlisted at 17, serving in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1946 as a Navy Seabee, obtained a Civil Engineering degree after the war, served again in the Mobile Construction Battalion in the Korean War, served with the LAPD from 1952-1960, retired, and then founded a non-profit to help local service members and their families. He then called him a “bitter old man” because the veteran had disagreed with him.
That’s Mr. Gaffney. Never at a loss for words…
Zorro, the veteran mentioned in your post was Arthur “Art” Hasselbrink. Not sure if you know, but Art passed away on 01/30/19. His passing is a huge loss to those who knew him. The man was a true patriot through and through. His love for our military men and women and veterans cannot be overstated, and I am honored and humbled to have been his “business partner” for the past 14 years. He is sorely missed.
The “bitter old man” comment from Mr. Gaffney was totally uncalled for. It was hurtful, disrespectful, mean-spirited, to borderline evil. Totally classless.
It appears that Mr. Gaffney and Councilman Reeve have the same problem. They both seem to enjoy attacking innocent people without cause, and have this bizarre tendency to cast aspersions on others, when they should be looking in the mirror themselves.
I don’t make it a habit to post on blogs, but your post evoked a fire in me to speak my piece. Thank you for your kind comment on Art.
Thank you for your comments. Art will be missed. His whole life was spent in true service, right to the end. Mr. Gaffney isn’t fit to polish his boots. And yet Derek Reeve, Sergio Farias and John Taylor once again appointed him to the Planning Commission over numerous truly qualified candidates. How sad for our city.
@ Mamie Yong Maywhort…Art’s positive presence and great leadership will truly be missed by many in this San Juan Capistrano community! He did so much good for so many and never asked for anything in return. We lose the very best ones and are left with the likes of Mr. Gaffney and Mr. Derek. They will never be able to fill the shoes left behind by Art!
@ Zorro… You mean NEVER at a loss for mean and vicious words!! Do San Juan Capistrano a really big favor and RESIGN REEVE and GAFFNEY!
Not to stray off topic, but I just have to respond to Matt Gaffney. He’s the epitome of the pot calling the kettle black. When he applied for the Planning Commission, his public record was circulated to the city, which is how I saw it. It was horrendous; police records detailing domestic violence; court records of how he defrauded an insurance company that he worked for, etc.
Reeve and his fellow council members voted to put this guy on the Planning Commission even though they knew about his background. They picked him over actual qualified applicants including a woman with urban planning experience (Gaffney has NONE) and an attorney/judge with real estate experience. Why? The term “rubber stamp” comes to mind.
It’s not like Gaffney just made some stupid mistakes in the past which many might choose to forgive and forget had he learned from them and changed his ways. I have seen this guy in action recently, yelling obscenities at people in public just for expressing differing points of view from his. The man is still out of control, as his public record reflects and as we see from his comment here.
This is the new “leadership” in San Juan. Or rather, it’s the return of the previous ‘good old boy’ leadership that is determined to overdevelop unique, historic small-town San Juan in order to make a buck. So sad…
But we digress – back to Derek’s Scoop. The complaint should also have included the “SJC Election Watch” campaign by another member of the group, Howard Hart, who claimed to have done extensive research before recommending who to vote for. Unfortunately, his statements about Derek’s viable opponents were demonstrably either 1/2 true with important exculpatory details omitted, drawing false conclusions or outright false. This was not only published in Scoop but in at least 12 emails sent to every email inbox. That campaign alone would have cost many thousands to produce. Add to it the very polished extended biographical video of Derek that was also sent to every email inbox. It could only have been produced by Steve Oedekerk. Should we say priceless?
@Zorro… I agree. SJCelections.org is a Political Action Committee supporting Reeve, Bourne and Taylor. Not surprisingly, its website lists only “articles” (the term is used loosely) from “The Scoop” and other posts ranting and raving about the opponents of Reeve and his running mates. With headlines like “Through His Sleazy Behavior [Taylor opponent] Continues To Dishonor Our City”, it’s obvious to anyone reading it that it’s extremely biased, certainly not honest and just badly written, much like The Scoop itself (guess Mr. Screenwriter didn’t help with the writing. Or, if he is indeed the “Hollywood drama queen” a previous commenter claims he is, maybe he did).
Also not surprising is their opponents’ refusal to participate in the phony “candidate forum” this PAC hosted which was (also unsurprisingly)promoted in The Scoop. Another transparent attempt to bash their opponents in public. Good for the opponents for not allowing themselves to be publicly attacked by the likes of Matt Gaffney. I’m sure they have had enough of that, as so many of us have.
Howard Hart came out of the gate supporting Reeve and his co-horts, and bashing Reeve and his running mates’ opponents. He was biased from the outset.
Glad the FPPC is looking into this.
The sjcelections.org PAC’s name is actually “REEVE, BOURNE & TAYLOR 2018; PROTECT SAN JUAN’S FUTURE, A COMMITTEE SUPPORTING COUNCIL CANDIDATES” .
How is developing the cr@p out of small-town San Juan and adding thousands more daily car trips on the road to the already gridlocked traffic in town “protecting its future”? That’s a rhetorical question; it’s not, of course. But the developers will make a buck and as usual, stick the residents with the consequences.
Yes. The pac allowed them to gather their anonymous war chest that produced dozens of expensive flyers, multiple printings of Scoop, saturating signage, etc. Derek was able to control it and its content through his participation in Scoop and his Facebook, allowing him to literally crush his competition, effectively corrupting the election process. Fair and square? In your dreams.
Mr. Gaffney should have never used the word “spanked” in his comment. You do not throw this kind of word around when talking about a woman or women! Learn some respect! I guess you didn’t learn anything from what appears to be your domestic violence past (see the court docs.). RESIGN REEVE and GAFFNEY!
OMG. What do you think was the value of “Derek’s” debate at El Adobe. How much would it have cost to rent, etc? How much for the stand-up comedian who moderated? How much for the plugs before and after in Scoop, the sponsor?
The SJCElectionWatch emails were attributed at the bottom to Scoop. The plethora of signs should have as well. This all was a major investment of cash! They say some people buy the council they want. This is definitely the council they wanted…sad for the residents. Those who voted for them were conned.
@Zorro… do you know if the event at El Adobe was reported on the campaign finance forms?
All of you guys are jokes XD I couldn’t give a crap about any of this. This is funny watching you guys fight it’s exactly what happens in politics. Sad
Honestly, if it were up to me — and it isn’t — I would close comments on all SJC posts right now and try to remember never to allow another post on SJC politics ever again. Every time we allow this — and it’s happened several times before — it just turns into a shouting match among anonymous commenters. But letting this happen is Vern’s choice, not mine.
If I ever even issue recommendations bout another SJC election, which is one thing that has prompted previous shitstorms like we see here, someone remind me about this.
Matt Gaffney versus Mark Speros for our City Planning Commission?
Matt Gaffney’s post is exemplary of his behavior and character. 2018 Residents questioned Maryott, Reeve, and Farias as to why they chose Gaffney to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission over 2 extremely accomplished female candidates (judge/planner for Irvine Co.)? In light of Gaffneys very public history of spousal abuse, following are a few excerpts from public docs: “grabbed my hair and pushed my head into the wall,” “broke down backdoor,” “Kicked and hit across the face” .
There is also Gaffney’s professional history describing how Mr. Gaffney committed insurance fraud. He settled and forfeited his home to pay back the insurance company. BY THE WAY, MARYOTT, REEVE and FARIAS NEVER ANSWERED WHY THEY IGNORED THE HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED FEMALE CANDIDATES OVER GAFFNEY!!!
SOON Mayor Maryott, Councilmen Bourne, Reeve, Farias and Taylor will make the decision whether or not Gaffney will remain on the City’s influential Planning Commission, which makes recommendations to the city council on development that impacts our qualtiy of life, AMENDMENTS to our GENERAL PLAN etc…. Will they appoint Matt Gaffney Again? Will they appoint Mark Speros who submitted the FPPC complaint ? I predict Reeve and Farias will show their truly corrupt colors by voting for Gaffney and not Speros. Speros is a straight shooter, highly intelligent, with the highest set of morals and courage…why would they want him around!
What will Mayor Maryott do? He’s already campaigning to replace Mike Levin for CONGRESS in 2020, no doubt soliciting money from developers whose projects he will soon be voting on. Will he risk the label of being a “misogynist” and lose the female vote? What will Bourne and Taylor do? All three have highly accomplished, strong wives who I’m sure would be disgusted with their husbands if they voted for Gaffney the abuser.
@ Kim McCarthy… Your comments are excellent and certainly reveal that you’ve read the Mr. Gaffney court docs. Pretty disturbing and concerning details in the docs and even more concerning is that Mr. Gaffney is part of making important “planning” decisions for San Juan Capistrano. Should be a real red flag for residents. Doesn’t surprise me that he had the endorsement of Mr. Derek. “Birds of a feather do flock together”! RESIGN REEVE and GAFFNEY!
@ Greg Diamond… I’m confused by your comment. Most of the commenters here are stating info that is verifiable through public records. How is that “shouting” at each other?
Even if you truly believe that it is wrong to post facts about people followed by opinions about what their perceived biases are, I thought this was the “political mosh pit”?
If your beef is about people posting anonymously, just read “The Scoop” to see why.
You may just have to live with being “confused.”
You’re also confused about whether public records always (or even generally) explain their own significance and legal importance by themselves.
And you’re also confused about whether material taken in isolation without context necessarily counts as “facts.”
But mostly, you’re confused about the degree of obligation that Vern and I have to review every piece of that public information in light of the arguments made by both sides and relevant areas of law (including, for me, some areas with which I may be unfamiliar, because “Law” is a big topic) to come to a rationally defensible conclusion.
Both sides have, in my view, abused our hospitality here by writing anonymously (justified by fear of what the other side would do if their identities were known) and whining that it is our responsibility to do adequate investigation — which would literally be thousands of dollars of billable time even at paralegal rates — and come down on their side.
A pox on you both. If you file lawsuits, maybe courts will figure it all out for you. More likely, they’ll toss you out on your collective asses, which is what I’d prefer to do. But, again, I don’t own this site.
@Greg Diamond… Why the hostility?
How is posting opinions and/or facts based on public records abusing your hospitality? Isn’t that what you do; encourage discussion?
Seems like you’re suggesting that people not be allowed to post their opinions OR facts backed up by documents unless they’re put into context that meets with your approval.
I don’t think anyone here said it was your obligation to read the public documents, but how can anyone make up your mind if they don’t have the info? I for one, am pointing out that the info is there for anyone who cares to read it.
Anyone who does care to read the court documents will see very detailed, specific reports and evidence about the events in question. It’s up to them to make up their own minds, or put it into whatever context they want.
I have a hard time believing that San Juan commenters are the only ones who post comments or for that matter write posts anonymously on this blog. I haven’t read through all of them, but I’m betting I can find examples of others who do, and probably for similar reasons that I and others choose to remain anonymous; fear of retaliation.
* make up their mind (not yours; sorry about the typo)
Uh oh ! Dad showed up at the Mosh Pit and didn’t recognize any of the kids.
Now he wants us all to wear name tags and quit bumping into each other.
I’m not your Dad. I’ve turned on avatars to make it easier to recognize you “kids”. And there’s no Child Protective Services here if I “abuse” you — for example, by disemvoweling you. (Not a typo.)
Greg, let me police my own stories. I don’t see a problem here.
Cool avatars though.
T’s nl fr tht Vrn gt th bst jvtr.
Great — I can live with that sort of thing.
Except, for future reference, “y” when sounding like a long “e” or “i” is a vowel.
Seriously.
People have reason to remain anonymous down here. Businesses get ruined. Driveways get nails tossed in them. School kids get shunned.
People make lists.
@ Vern Nelson…Thank you!
Then here’s an idea, “Don”: hire an attorney from outside of South County — note: NOT ME — to do a formal evaluation of the documents that will be published under their name, with their professional reputation (but not their children’s safety) on the line, and answer such questions as may come up here, and we can publish THAT.
I cannot emphasize to you enough how completely worthless it is for you to just toss up a bunch of documents tied up in a ribbon of legal conclusion, when you neither have any apparent legal training OR reason to be careful based on your OWN reputation being on the line.
I can sure see why you’d love this arrangement. If you just want a forum from which to fire at people anonymously, Liberal OC has no apparent compunction there — so long as its owner agrees with your attacks.
Vern, so long as we’re clear that I will not represent or advise you or the blog in any legal action related from them, and that I am not empowered by any position I may hold to speak or act for the blog on anything related to San Juan Capistrano, that’s fine. I’m out of this comments section.
You guys are clearly shouting. That’s why I’m eating popcorn
@ Im eating popcorn right now…don’t like it then STOP reading and go pop yourself some more popcorn! I’ll take mine with extra salt and butter!
SJC Mayor Brian Maryott is on his 2nd bid for a Congressional seat in our 49th district. Basically for the two years on our council he will be spending the time campaigning.
Maryott was a front page story in the SCOOP and I’m pretty sure SCOOP endorsed Maryott for his last Campaign for Congress. FPPC should ask him who are the editors and or owners of SCOOP. I find it hard to believe he doesn’t know.
Wow, that’s a piece of crap.
Classy pieces at the bottom of the front page there…
And Maryott wants us to vote for him after supporting this sort of publication ?
Darrell Issa has a better chance.
It is too bad that Derek Reeve has sunk so low. He could have been such a great example of what you can do with your life.
Instead, he is the epitome of why people dislike city council people so much.
This was forwarded from a friend. It is eerily like what has happened here and gone unchallenged by the Council bought by the Conspirators:
“Conspiracy”
“A conspiracy is everything that ordinary life is not. It’s the inside game, cold sure, undistracted, forever closed off to us. We are the flawed ones, the innocents, trying to make some rough sense of the daily jostle. Conspirators have a logic and a daring beyond our reach. All conspiracies are the same taut story of men who find coherence in some criminal act.”
Now, they’ve chosen rubber stamp commissions, too.
Yes, they’ve even put one of the Council member’s kid on the Planning Commission.
Gee, I wonder if he has a bias.
The entire City Council is in cahoots with Derek Reeve’s Scoop. They used his publication to get themselves elected, and now they are all working together on a developer friendly agenda. They all campaigned together and benefited from fluff pieces like the one shown above.
It kinda makes you wonder how much the developers have supported this unregistered PAC.
Look at the left column of the paper above, notice the article second one down, Historic Menace in our Downtown, it’s Reeves blueprint for throwing out the HTCMP to make way for Developer Dan Almquist oversized projects downtown namely destroying Los Rios District with a strip mall they call a marketplace.
New Councilmember and developer Bourne advertised his Reata Glen, full page ads in SCOOP, FPPC should ask him who he wrote checks to!
Soooooo, Reeve and Steve O start Scoop and promote themselves along with Bourne,Taylor , to stack the deck for council votes to build oversized projects.
Reeve / Oedekerk have a blast slandering residents who disagree with them that are running for council.
Maryott joins in because he’s just itchin to get that seat in Congress . I wonder how much money Almquist is donating to (under the table?) Maryott’s Congressional Campaign for his vote for River Street Project?
Just maybe these guys underestimated the intelligence of San Juan Residents and the FPPC, one can only hope.
So what’s the status of the FPPC complaints?
My guess is that part of the Agran legacy may be that “yes, you can do this — and spend unlimited money on it, too, so long as you make it look like a real newspaper.”
Shaming people who do it is still fair game even if it’s legal — but it may be legal.
From Greg Diamond 3/11/19….” I’m out of this comments section.”
I am guessing the FPPC complaint is going the way of the college bribery scandal. There will be more indicted. I would not want to be a part of these clowns.
Wait — has anyone been indicted at all?
“Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in!”
Seriously, I’m now following this out of morbid fascination.
You just can’t quit me. I understand.
No, I can’t *obliterate* you — but keep it up and maybe someday Vern will come around on that notion.
Breaking tonight…Mr.Gaffney is OUT! YES!! RESIGN REEVE.
What what what? Is this a new story?
Watching Reeve’s attempt at excusing his vote for Gaffney previously, followed by Farias’ usual tag-a-long was incredible. Reeve was apparently out to lunch when Gaffney was calling a 92 year old veteran who had given his whole life to his country and has since past away a “bitter old man” from the Council lectern. Coupled with his lack of expertise, Reeve should never have tried to put Gaffney onto this crucial commission in the first place.
It is another example of his years of reckless behavior, exemplified by the original FPPC story told above. He and Howard Hart and the others didn’t care what lies they told or the hurt it could cause to our city. It was all about winning. Now he’s governing. You’ll notice he put fellow violator Howard Hart on the Planning Commission.
It is great that the rest of the Council had the good sense to choose someone with expertise and a balanced approach to the task for the fifth seat. Architect Stan Braden will serve our city well. Reeve has built his empire on a house of cards. Sooner or later it will come tumbling down along with those who have staked their futures on his judgment.
Sjc is a better place without Gaffney on the Planning Commission.
And appears much safer now! RESIGN REEVE and FARIAS!
Mr. Derek and this Farias individual ARE BOTH AWARE of Mr. Gaffney’s spousal physical abuse and insurance fraud legal history. At last night’s San Juan Capistrano city council it was these two individuals who continued to express their full support and disgusting praise of Mr. Gaffney! Mr. Derek referred to Mr. Gaffney as a “real warrior”. Yes, appears Mr. Gaffney was a “real warrior” alright! Appears he was a REAL physically abusive “warrior”. RESIGN REEVE AND FARIAS!
Pleased that Mr. Gaffney is OUT! His background of spousal abuse and Insurance fraud made him unqualified to sit on any city commission! Many good, experienced and highly qualified veteran commissioners were removed from their commissions. They were replaced by individuals with lack of knowledge or experience. One newly appointed commissioner is Harrison Taylor. He is the son of repeat councilman, John Taylor! Inexperienced Mr. Harrison brings absolutely nothing to his planning commission appointment! Many believe he was appointed because of his daddy! San Juan Capistrano city government needs a major house cleaning and make over! RESIGN REEVE!
This Gaffney guy commented earlier in this thread, didn’t he? I believe he made a gaffe.
It’s really nice that your buddies here want YOUR ass to be on the line for publication of an accusation that Gaffney has a “background of spousal abuse and Insurance fraud” but won’t reveal their own identities, even with him gone.
Good luck with all this.
Vern said he’s got this.
Why can’t you stay in your lane ?
I’m not allowed to delete your comments. I am certainly allowed to call you a cowardly asshole and tell Vern publicly, rather than privately as an attorney, that he’s letting cowards who would run like rabbits if Vern were sued over posts with which he was cooperating run free. That’s in my lane, asshole. Now piss off.
GD. What’s your goal here, to attack everybody until they quit commenting ?
You put yourself way above the other commenters here, and half the time you don’t seem to have even read the supporting documents posted.
Kinda reminds me of the dog chained up in the yard that just barks at everything that goes by.
Way to keep em walking on the other side of the street. You must be really good for Vern’s stat counter.
I don’t have a particular “goal” here, as I’m not acting in my official capacity on this post. My goal in general with this blog’s comments section has been to rid them of anonymous attacks, for multiple reasons: it creates a poisonous environment here, it contributes to a poisonous environment elsewhere, and I believe that in some cases it could put a blog in legal jeopardy, despite the DMCA safe harbor.
You in particular are a cowardly asshole, willing to issue critiques like the one you level at me only from the safe cloak of darkness.
Here’s a clue: I’m not going to read those documents to render some sort of opinion because that’s not my job. Like everyone else here, I’m a volunteer; unlike most everyone else here, I’m a professional in the area of legal interpretation and my issuing an opinion on particular people in my community’s liability is not to be done so casually. (That’s the only way I hold myself above others; because I have professional ethics applied to me. I issue such opinions sometimes, because I choose to do it, not because some sand tick wants to goad me into it.
I’ve told you before: get some attorney who’s willing to put his or her time and reputation on the line and procure a formal opinion; I’d happily publish it. But frankly, I don’t trust a single representation you make at this point, nor do I trust your understanding of the significance of those documents (even presuming that they’re legit and not excluding other material facts). You seem to be an idiot, and if you actually cared about furthering your stated position about development in the area, you’d either show some courage rather than being a guttersnipe or find someone else willing to act like an adult.
Pleasure to clarify things for you, asshole.
What about other commissions? Did the city council put good people on any of the other commissions?
Know very little about the other appointments. We’re just hoping for the best from those newly appointed! RESIGN REEVE and FARIAS!
Heard they put a lot of their cronies on various boards in place of truly qualified. Several were passed over out of spite.
From: kimrussmc@aol.com [mailto:kimrussmc@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2019 11:34 AM
To: Maria Morris
Subject: For PUBLIC RECORD & DISTRIBUTION tonight
Mayor Maryott and Councilmembers Bourne, Taylor, Farias & Reeve,
Previously, Councilmembers Maryott, Reeve & Farias, chose to ignore the below/attached information and appointed Matt Gaffney to the Planning Commission.
As if that weren’t bad enough, they did so by passing over two better qualified FEMALE candidates. One was a woman with urban planning experience and the other woman was an attorney/judge with real estate experience.
Attached are two separate court cases that explicitly define why Matt Gaffney is not fit to represent the residents of San Juan Capistrano.
1. Superior Court of the State of California – Matthew W. Gaffney v. Farmers Insurance Company
This case is a window into Gaffney’s professional history describing how Mr. Gaffney committed insurance fraud, settled and forfeited his home to pay back the insurance company.
2. Superior Court of California County of Orange – Matthew W. Gaffney v. (ex wife name withheld)
This case is a window into Gaffney’s personal life, one of spousal abuse. The following are a few excerpts from public documents describing Gaffney’s behavior ;
“grabbed my hair and pushed my head into the wall,” “broke down backdoor,” “Kicked and hit across the face.”
I ask that you do not appoint Matt Gaffney to any City Commissions or any other role in the future, at the City.
Thank you,
Kim McCarthy
Well, there you have it! Now anyone and everyone will be able to bring up the disgusting information that appears on the actual court records! Way to go and thank you Ms. Kim McCarthy! RESIGN REEVE and FARIAS!
Depending on what those documents are, as I explain below, they may be no more than allegations — protected allegations so long as they’re not republished. So you don’t know what you’re talking about. This blog deserves much better.
Can you provide links to the two documents you mention, Kim, or if you can’t email them to Vern or me for us to post if that’s appropriate? You can edit out the names as needed.
As it is, I can’t tell whether these are factual findings from a court or just Plaintiff’s allegations. If the latter, they’re hardly definitive — so much so that we probably wouldn’t post them.
Greg Diamond: the “poisonous environment “ you speak of is the environment created in San Juan Capistrano by the SCOOP-the subject of this article. The SCOOP is comprised of city council-developers and their supporters. An example is Matt Gaffney post, vile , name calling, void of facts. Those of us who have spoken out with the facts are viciously attacked and retaliated against in various ways.
Please consider agreeing to disagree on the reasons people post anonymously, and/or stop swearing and name calling. Thank you,
Have to agree. Everything I’ve seen from Mr Diamond is an attempt to confuse the readers and mask the truth in verbiage. Fi’m fairly sure we’re not idiots, and we’d rather we weren’t treated like we were…
Piss off. I’m just not going to trust the allegations and analysis of a bunch of people who won’t take responsibility for their assertions, but are happy to see other people take the risk of presenting them. If you can’t stand up for your views, you and your city deserve what you get. This is a pretty low hurdle to clear.
Once again, you resort to vulgarities when the arguments strike home.
We’re dealing with a conspiracy here that has perverted our election process. Those who have foisted it on the residents , Reeve, Oedekerk, Hart and friends, have been able with their unregistered pac to degrade their competition over a two year period with 1/2 truths, misrepresentations and outright lies in a slickly produced, unattributed paper, no less than a dozen slickly produced flyers and a dozen email blasts claiming to be based on exhaustive research, but in fact an extension of their other many falsehoods.
Attempting to make this blog about the messengers who seek to expose that, especially with vulgar epithets, is the real poison.
Mark Speros has had the courage to stand up and accurately report the conspiracy to the FPPC, and already they retaliated by removing him from the Planning Commission, a significant loss to the city. That is the price of shedding anonymity.
Oh, pish tosh, you horse’s ass. If you were using your name I would not likely address you with a vulgarity, but so far as I’m concerned you do not deserve social niceties. The use of vulgarities underlines that.
Your arguments don’t strike home; they strike mud. It’s not clear to me that these hombres in SJC are doing anything that Agran hasn’t done for years, and that his opponents are not doing now, and I strongly presume that if it were illegal as opposed to somewhere between unethical and distasteful someone would have gotten a court ruling a long time ago to stop the practice of using an alleged newspaper as a means of promoting political stances. You give no sign of even being aware of the legal issues at hand — primarily constitutional issues (both federal and state) related to freedom of the press — or of the slippery slope that allowing the barring of publishing “half-truths” would place us on. You’re not saying anything here that you couldn’t safely say for attribution; you’re just being a chickenshit (and perhaps wanting to avoid people knowing that you don’t know the first thing about constitutional law. That, and that your choice of pseudonym is probably cultural misappropriation, but that’s a different argument.)
Good for Mark Speros. Send us his complaint (if you haven’t already) and I’d gladly read and publish THAT. It hasn’t struck you that you have a good basis now to start your own publication and promote Mark Speros for City Council? Regardless, now that we have someone who has already paid the price of standing behind his opinions, perhaps all of you chuckleheads could convince him to write here so that those of us interested in discussing the issue *with someone who has a reputation to lose* could talk to him rather than you. His presence, under his own name, will not likely poison the site.
Kim, the “poisonous environment” of which I spoke is not even primarily in SJC. I’m talking about the prevalence of anonymous attacks in political discussions taking place in comments sections of blogs and other websites.
This is the oldest of the political blogs in OC, and under Art Pedroza it used to be this blog’s stock in trade. (I presume that the comments in OC Weekly were like this to at least some extent, but I really don’t recall. I doubt that the Register put up with it back in the day, but maybe they did.)
Now you can see it pervading comments in “The Liberal OC,” Matt Cunningham’s blogs, Art Pedroza’s blogs, and most sadly the comments section of the “Voice of OC,” ehich makes discussing their generally strong stories on their own site painful and unproductive.
Since gaining the authority to do so, I’ve spent almost a decade weeding out the culture of anonymous attacks here, to the point where our comments contain better discussions than pretty much any online political forum. This doesn’t mean that people can’t post anonymously (they do, especially if they have something funny to say) or engage in attacks (they do), but they are somewhat constrained by the fact that they have to expect responsibility for their actions and can’t just shed a persona that has become poisonous like a snake shedding skin. It’s the combination of anonymity and attacks that becomes poison to a discussion environment.
Vern cares less about this than I do — he likes the “mosh pit” ambience — but he’s generally gone along with it. Frankly, it’s hard to argue with the success we’ve had at standing up to corruption and venality in out bought-out county, even if (as in Anaheim) it may sometimes get rolled back, and I think that our bring a place where intelligent discussions can take place has something to do with that success.
I appreciate your writing under your own name (I presume) and offering your criticism. I hope that this makes more clear why I’ve had problems with the recent SJC discussions.
In case you hadn’t noticed, Mark Speros’ FPPC complaint is the first of the support materials in the initial story…
(You replied to the wrong comment; your comment and my reply should be read to follow my comment above, starting with “Oh, pish tosh.”)
Well, in that case, I’m true to my word. We received it and published it. Glad to be reminded of that. I guess we’re done now. Nice talking to you.
If you notice, you’ll see that comment you refer to did not allow replies. No need to pat yourself on the back for making all your big, long convolluted and vulgar replies without ever bothering to read the underlying issue – a little honest chagrin would be more in order.
You reply to the comment just above, as I did right here, brainchild, and it appears next in line.
You insult Zorro by your appropriation of his name. Shame on you.
Senor Diamond conveniently leaves out the FACT that the voice of OC changed its commenting policy for two reasons: County Workers were innundating the site in its early days (mostly using handles), Nick B. Freaked out and bitch slapped Noberto, rightfully believing John Q. Public would go nuts when county workers aking $80k per year were blogging.
The second and more important cause, was the husband of a popular Democratic municipal elected posted something that was clearly not in line with the king, nor was it legal and it would have been truly embarrassing for Noberto, Nick and Henry at the time.
But, stay on your high horse Major Danby, Henry Lipton, Anaheim Insider, Mayor Quimby, Grover Cleveland or whatever phony handles you AGREE WITH.
Lets not forget….this entire post was based on anominity!
Double Standard much Greg?
There is great organization that you can support this weekend at the Swallows Day Parade festivities here in San Juan Capistrano.
It is called Homefront America and they support Veterans and active duty military families. They will be selling cookies in the park. We know that you love cookies !
Come out and show how you support the Veterans. Don’t be a Derek.
Hope you have plenty of chocolate chip cookies! I will always support our active military and our veterans! I will NEVER support Mr. Derek! RESIGN REEVE and FARIAS!
Cookies? Did you say cookies? Zorro loves cookies! We’ll save all our $$$ for Homefront America in honor of our hero, Art Hasselbrink! Hope everyone else will, too!
If you notice, you’ll see that comment you refer to did not allow replies. No need to pat yourself on the back for making all your big, long convolluted and vulgar replies without ever bothering to read the underlying issue – a little honest chagrin would be more in order.
Diamond is known as the bloviator. He is anything but a Hemingway when it comes to an economy of words.
He used to have some worthy adversaries on the blogosphere. Now they just ignore his ramblings.
He has turned into the kind of commenter that he is supposedly trying to protect the OJB from. Lots of foul language, little substance.
Sad.
Room empty. Or oxygen gone.
Oh dear, I’ve been insulted by a visiting chickenshit. Whatever shall I do?
Writing novels is different from blogging, assbite. I take pains to explain things fully enough so that intelligent people can understand, but unlike Hemingway I rarely put in the extra time required to edit.
I can hardly imagine a better example than you and your seatmate to illustrate why anonymous attacks should not be allowed: cowards think that they can get away with anything.
I think that maybe I’ll take an interest in SJC after all. It could use more strip malls.
May I suggest….Not commenting to or about Mr. Diamond. The subject of this article is what drew us all here let’s stick to it.. In my opinion, anonymous respectful comments are fine. .
Amending the General Plan has begun with the land designation of office park/researchpark to Assisted Care Facility/72 beds, 36,000 sq ft by South Coast Christian Church-Rancho Viejo Rd—-I watched Maryott preside over it—sailed through…no discussions no speakers. The viciousness of this last campaign by Reeve and Oedekerk and friends has emptied out the chambers.
@ Kim McCarthy…thanks for putting the REAL issue back on track! This and last couple of councils have been a real turn off for many here in San Juan Capistrano.
Many of us don’t have any time for their B.S. anymore. The city and council don’t give a damn about our opinions or concerns. They just go ahead and do whatever they want to do. They won’t even deal with addressing the concerning issues involving one particular councilman! Community isn’t going to waste their time listening to this current council! RESIGN REEVE and FARIAS!
Kim, your allies here have alienated me — and not for the first or even second time. I’ve completely lost interest in helping them and have actually, to my surprise, felt increased sympathy for Reeve if these are the sorts of critics whom he has to endure. If you don’t like that result, you can talk to them about it.
Bizarro Zorro down below has bravely — well, “bravely” *if* he could be held to account for foolishness if he’s wrong — predicted that the FPPC case ” will have major ramifications also as we prepare for another election.” Given the precedents of Irvine, I really doubt it. But perhaps we’ll see.
Barring the highly unlikely, you’ll continue to be welcome here, and to attack whomever you choose, while risking the consequences. For now, we seem to be rehashing old arguments, so we’ll wait for the FPPC to rule.
Thank you, Ms McCarthy-
This election, perverted as it was by the Scoop unregistered pac denoted above with its unlimited resources used to drown out and denigrate all but Derek and his cohorts, will continue to have consequences for our city as numerous members of the Scoop unregistered pac now sit on commissions, making decisions on our behalf with far reaching effects on our parks, our open space, our utilities and our city planning. Coupled with the many decisions the City Council will be making for our city over the coming years, it will make it incumbent upon all of us to do our part in holding them accountable.
This FPPC case will have major ramifications also as we prepare for another election. We cannot allow this to happen to our city again.