Laguna Hills, a small older predominately white city in California, has been grappling with a persistent issue of racial polarization as defined by the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). For over two decades, the city’s governance has been monopolized by the Nellie Gail community through an at-large voting system, leaving the majority of residents voiceless. This article delves into the roots of this problem, exposes key players perpetuating the status quo, and advocates for the urgency of district voting as a means to foster diversity, representation, and justice for all residents.
The Nellie Gail Stranglehold:
Since 2012, every elected council person in Laguna Hills has hailed from the Nellie Gail community or its adjacent neighborhoods. Despite constituting only one-third of the city’s population, this privileged, upscale community has systematically chosen all council members, creating a stark imbalance in representation that has persisted for more than 20 years.
Republican Dominance and Resistance to Change:
Janine Heft, a self-proclaimed “Republican darling,” and Assemblywoman Laurie Davies have played pivotal roles in preserving the at-large voting system. Davies actively discourages transitioning to district voting, reinforcing the belief that the Republican way is the only viable governance option for Laguna Hills. Heft and her political ally, Council Member Don Caskey, express disdain for Sacramento’s laws and insist on maintaining the at-large system, claiming to know what is best for their constituents.
Absence of Minority Representation:
A glaring omission from Laguna Hills’ city council is the absence of a “CVRA protected minority class” council member. Despite the CVRA’s mandate to ensure fair representation, the Nellie Gail Cabal, including Janine Heft, Don Caskey, and the current city attorney, perpetuates a system that disregards the diversity of the community.
No Voice for the Northern 2/3’s of Laguna Hills:
Adding to the injustice, not a single resident from the Northern two-thirds of Laguna Hills has ever been elected to the city council. This blatant exclusion highlights the urgent need for district voting, a system that would give a voice to all residents rather than allowing a single community to dictate city governance.
The Call for Legal Action and Accountability:
With the Nellie Gail Cabal resistant to change, legal action seems to be the only viable solution. The city attorney and council members who leave the avenue of legal recourse open, with residents bearing the financial burden, should be held accountable for their actions. Advocates for justice should explore options to recover excessive legal costs from those responsible for perpetuating this unequal system.
Conclusion:
The racial polarization in Laguna Hills, perpetuated by the Nellie Gail community’s control over city governance, demands immediate attention. The time has come for residents to stand up against the unjust at-large voting system and demand district voting for fair representation. Janine Heft, Laurie Davies, and their associates must be held accountable for their role in obstructing justice and perpetuating a system that deprives residents of their democratic rights. It is time for change, accountability, and a more inclusive future for Laguna Hills.
Isn’t there some good news, and mixed news, from the other 3 cities you guys are suing for District Elections – San Clemente, Lag. Niguel, and RSM?
I have permission to report the following:
San Clemente has been the most co-operative after a little delay, and have paid the CVRA attorney Michelle Johnson. YAY SAN CLEMENTE!
Beall-land, I mean Rancho Santa Margarita, has been co-operative to a degree, except they are refusing to pay Michelle, and they are insisting on a map that protects all the incumbents, which will be a problem for them.
Gennawey-land, I mean Laguna Niguel, is dragging its feet but moving along and they have an “extension till January.”
And Laguna Hills is being the big problem; they have till January 2 when the plaintiffs will file suit.
For the benefit of readers who might otherwise be confused: the graphic may be a little misleading.
Part of it appears to read “Laguna Woods, Where is our Lawsuit?”; another appears to read “Where is the Lawsuit? Aliso Viejo” and a third shows an arrow leading from “Laguna Niguel” (or “Nisuel”?) to the southern portion of Laguna Hills. In fact, L. Woods, A. Viejo, and L. Niguel have nothing to do with this story; which is all about Laguna Hills.
It still asks a good question that deserves a good answer!
As a historical note, the steely determination evident on Ms. Moulton’s face is what allowed her to outmaneuver and conquer her competitors for the inheritance for southern Laguna Hills — her siblings Avery, Oso, Alton, and Barranca — in the Battle of Crown Valley.
Compelled by the spirit of Miss Info on this Boxing Day?
https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/12/a-brief-history-of-boxing-day/
It really did take cojones to face down Oso.
Oso was better known by the nickname “El Toro.”
In my pieces, Miss Info would by her given name: Ebily Libella.
Davies and Joanna Weiss bare a resemblance to one another.
Facially maybe but that’s pretty mean. Davies reminds me more of Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Heft and Caskey are hardly foes. She just voted against Caskey gor the Mayor posiy.
As preparation for doing some work on Vern’s Laguna Niguel piece, I decided to see how disproportionate representation is in LN’s neighbor Laguna Hills.
A picture of Laguna Hills will be added here, and my transplanting the numbers from the Districting program that I use showed that about 5,116 people live in North Laguna Hills, the part connected to the rest of the city by “a ribbon of highway,” as Woody Guthrie put it; about 3,444 live south of that but north of Aliso Creek, based on the census blocks; 9,282 live between Aliso Creek and Valencia (which is I think where the “red line” mentioned in the story is); and 10,436 — or about 37% of the estimated 2022 population of 28,278 — live in the area where all their electeds come from. That’s disproportionate — and a really good argument for districting.
Now on to Laguna Niguel, at least the next time I need to recover from a political hangover.
Like I said though, Niguel and RSM have already agreed to districts, they just refuse to pay Michelle Jackson.
It’s just L Hills that wants to fight districts altogether.
Well looks like Nellie Gail got its way again. The city council will be 3 out of 5 from that neighborhood AGAIN. rigged election.
Let’s see… voters were to pick two out of three – Jared Mathis, Neel Patel, & incumbent Don Caskey.
And I see Jared & Don beat Neel. Who’s-all in Nellie Gail? It looked to me like Mayor Janine “of Arc” Heft is out – termed out? You guys have term limits?
I know Laguna Hills is still fighting district elections, which would take care of the Nellie Gail problem. They’re not gonna win.
I hope you’re right. Neel was the only one NOT from Nellie Gail. The other two guys spent 10 times more money I heard and also bullied Neel and anyone who supported him in the city.
Why don’t report the truth about Nellie Gail and Laguna Hills corruption. I’ve lived here for 20 years and seen first hand how Nellie Gail operates and overpowers the city. The city spends money on council Jared Mathis’ own non-profit and the Don the Con spends time sleazing with apartment builders. Media blackout