My Thoughts on Tuesday's Election

This is my column printed in today's issues of The Capistrano Dispatch:

Our 2008 elections are the finishing touch to the 2006 contest. Remember 2006? A majority of the then City Council approved housing on golf-course open space. A referendum overturned it, and the council ended up with a new majority.

Since then, the council has taken many long-overdue steps, most notably launching a long-term economic study to figure out how much it takes to run the city and how to ensure development and other decisions generate the income. Something just as important: Led by the new councilmembers, the city has greatly increased the number of residents notified when major developments are proposed—including a citywide mailing for the largest projects.

But there’s still major shortcomings. The council is quick to approve developments with a bias toward the maximum allowed on a parcel, instead of setting rules that push for the minimum unless there is an overriding benefit for the city. The council in many ways is still afraid to lead, stuck in a reactive mode.

For that reason, I’d vote for a change on the council—adding business owner Laura Freese, a virtual downtown expert, to the mix, and returning Sam Allevato, the only true equestrian on council. That’d provide the right mix to move forward, while still honoring our past. Joe Soto’s tenure hasn’t spurred any energy, concerns about repeated errors on his resume are valid and he is the last sitting councilmember who supported putting those houses on the open space.

Speaking of open space, supporting Measure X is an easy decision. It puts control of the community’s most important asset squarely in the hands of the community. As for Measure Y, it’d be easy to say now is not the time to approve a new bond. I respectfully argue it’s exactly the right time. Property values are low, and with cash in hand, we can make incredible deals—solid investments in our community that will improve all of our property values in the long term.

As for the school board, I’m voting against the recall slate—Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten. The incumbent recall trustees have largely failed to impress me in the first 90 days, and it doesn’t make sense to me to have all seven members aligned with one group. That’s what caused our mess in the first place, isn’t it?

Vote how you will. Just vote.

Comments

[REFORM a better choice]

I have to say the only thing that has not impressed me is you and your paper!

The reform group has added what has been missing for years, a mix of votes and lots of debate!

These union puppets are a slate not independent.

The NWPC the most liberal group I have ever seen supports Kooiman. I want to know what is her liberal aganda?

Is she planning on forcing are children to learn about gay marriage?

will she be sending are children to witness a gay wedding?

Will health clinics be brought to our high schools? will they pass out condoms to are students?

The public should know all of this before they vote

Posted by: REFORM a better choice | October 31, 2008 at 03:58 PM

[LeAna]

Are you kidding? If you can't argue on facts you go to fear? Since our kids can't get a bus to school, I'm thinking field trips to gay weddings will be off the agenda as well.

You really are too much.

Vote for Kutnick, Kooiman and Stiff - I did.

[Get real]

My oh my...Obviously REFORM a better choice must not have too much control in his children's viewpoints at home.

I believe all the hoopla of prop 8 has gotten the kiddos talking more about gay marriage than any teacher ever could!

Condoms at High school along with abstinence teaching...might not be a bad idea to keep pregnancy and STD's from occurring.

All I saw on this website was equal rights for women and the push to get women there- that is your liberal agenda- please are you a caveman or what?

By the way...Let's play fair- anyone know Palazzo's stance on gay marriage?

[No surprise here]

REFORM a better choice--

Have you stopped beating your wife?

See how this works? Ask questions that have no foundation in fact and you plant ideas in the minds of the readers without telling outright lies. Is that what the Reform committee stands for? Condemnation through innuendo.

What a desperate tactic to employ in a serious campaign that will directly affect the education of our children.

[meb]

Reform,

You've been getting your talking points from Rush again. You forgot to mention socialists and redistributing wealth.

I can't believe you're against health clinics, but I think you've shown with this post where you stand, and that should be worth dozens of votes for K, K, and S.

You've shown again that your group doesn't care about the kids (10% of which are probably gay) or their health, only your very narrow political agenda.

[REFORM a better choice]

Soooo much emotion. Yes my children listen and learn very well. I do not want a trustee to be making choices for me on how and when we might talk about gay marriage, those parental rights I would like to keep and hold dear. When you have a radical like Kooiman who is supported by a fringe group like the NWPC, see the website, scarey I think all parents should be concerned. Kooiman and her liberal supporters will be taking parent rights away before we blink an eye.

Many I have talked to agree, thats why we are voting refrom!

[Save CUSD]

Kooiman is a radical? Give me a break and please cut the theatrics. You guys must be getting desparate!

[Get Real]

Reform- you must not get out too much. At CRA, coffee chats, Dispatch questions, website, League of Women Voters, PALS, and NWPC: Andrea Kooiman has been the only candidate frequently advocating Parental Rights . Here is an excerpt from this week's PALS question: "I firmly believe that each parent is in charge of their child’s educational experience and will fight hard and advocate for your parental rights." http://www.parentsadvocateleague.org/capistrano_unified_chapter
http://andreakooiman4cusd.wetpaint.com/

[Actually]

The least impressive thing in this whole mess has been the behavior of that Jennifer Beall. She acts like the world owes her something and has no doubt she's right about EVERYTHING.

I saw her at a meeting. She just looks unhappy and angry all the time.

[socmom]

Kooiman is a conservative Republican, unlike Sue Palazzo who flip-flopped her voter registration from Democratic to Republican just before the election, or Ken Maddox who pays for robocalls trumpeting his endorsement by Democratic leaders (although he doesn't exactly name any, so we don't know if any Democratic leaders actualy endorsed him or not). At least we can trust Kooiman to tell the truth, and to actually talk to voters instead of avoiding them.