“The Fear of Losing Power Corrupts Those Who Wield It.”
Mayor Tony Beall, a long-standing figure in Rancho Santa Margarita politics (and in the Orange County GOP generally), exemplifies this unfortunate truth. Having held influence over the city for more than 20 years, his tenure now raises serious questions—not just about governance, but about integrity and the corruptive nature of unchecked political power.
When a public servant clings to authority for decades, it’s fair to ask: is this about service, or is it about control?
In 2020, when RSM residents threatened to recall Mayor Beall, he publicly promised not to seek re-election. But he later broke that promise—a decision that undermines trust and suggests a deeper fear: the fear of losing power. That moment may have marked a turning point, where self-preservation began to eclipse public service.
Beall’s actions since then appear increasingly out of step with democratic values:
- Fiscal negligence, shrouded in a lack of transparency.
- Alleged perjury related to nomination filings.
- Disregard for youth programs—tossing the children that relied upon the Boys And Girls Club for after school care to the curb.”
- Personal manipulation of district maps during the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) compliance process, raising concerns over gerrymandering. The result? A district map that seems tailored to preserve Beall’s political survival and protect Councilwoman Anne Figueroa’s seat—possibly at the expense of fairness and legal compliance with the Fair Maps Act.
All of this suggests a troubling pattern: not one mistake or lapse in judgment, but a sustained and strategic effort to consolidate and maintain power at any cost.
These are not the actions of a public servant guided by principle. They are the hallmarks of someone who has allowed the fear of losing influence to override the very values of transparency, fairness, and accountability that local government is supposed to uphold.
The Be-all and End-All, for Mayor Beall, is retaining power. RSM residents deserve better. They deserve leaders who serve with integrity, not politicians who bend the rules and break their promises to hold onto power all while driving the City to the brink with debilitating legal fees.
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