The Capistrano Insider

Updates from Supervisor Pat Bates

These items from Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates have some Capistrano-related points of interest:

Public Protection Working Group

In light of the significant financial challenges the County will face in balancing our 2010-11 Budget, I have called for the formation of a working group consisting of the Sheriff, the District Attorney, the CEO, Supervisor Campbell and myself. This group will be charged with the task of developing a fair and comprehensive approach toward solving the significant budget shortfalls that will be faced next year within our public safety departments. By bringing these decision makers together to one table, it is my hope that we will be able to develop a fiscally responsible strategy to preserve fundamental public safety services for the people of Orange County.


Antonio Parkway Widening Project

The Board approved a Cooperative Agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority to define the roles and responsibilities relating to the Antonio Parkway Widening Project. This project includes widening Antonio Parkway from four to six lanes south of Ladera Ranch as well as widening the Antonio Parkway Bridge by one lane in each direction.

The project, which is identified on the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways, will complement ongoing improvements to the adjacent Ortega Highway and planned improvements to La Pata Avenue. Together, these projects will result in significant traffic relief for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods of Ladera Ranch and City of San Juan Capistrano as well as improve overall regional mobility for South County motorists.

State Library Grant

The Board accepted a $58,599 grant from the California State Library to provide adult literary services. The County will apply this grant toward our award winning adult literacy program, Read OC, which serves residents at all Orange County Public Libraries. The program currently utilizes 300 volunteer tutors who provide individualized tutoring in basic literacy skills and workplace literacy programs for local businesses.

For more information about the Read OC Program, please click here.

Cancer Strikes Former Planning Chief Tom Tomlinson *Updated

Many folks remember Tom Tomlinson, who was a longtime Planning Director while George Scarborough was City Manager. He and his wife, Ruth, were also active in St. Margaret's. He and Ruth moved to Nebraska, from where he'd send thoughtful, entertaining and insightful emails.

He's battling a tough case of cancer, and can use our prayers and good thoughts.

His last email:

December, 2009

Hello there! You know I never thought that opportunities for writing articles for the Nebraska Newsletter would cease.  In my latest update, you became aware of all the medical issues that I have been dealing with.  All the symptoms have been masking a much greater threat to my life than what I had previously described.  On Thursday, December 3^rd the doctors were able to provide me with a diagnosis.   The bottom line is that I have stage IV cancer of the esophagus and stomach which has spread to my liver, lungs, and joints.   Obviously, this was a major shock because now it appears that I may only have 6 months to live. Therefore with these changed circumstances, I am not able physically to continue to author additional articles, in fact Ruth is typing this one. 

 Although the news is grim physically, spiritually I am full of strength. I could look on the negative side, but I am focusing on the positive which is I will be victorious and completely healed when I pass from this life to the next.   For those who may feel sorry for me, be assured that my life has been blessed in so many ways by so many people including your gift of friendship to me. 

Because it is physically painful for me to sit at the computer and type, if you wish to respond to this e-mail, please send your comments and thoughts to Ruth at rmtomlinson@yahoo.com.

I pray that this letter finds each of you and your families in good health and eagerly awaiting the birth of our Lord at Christmas.  With God’s Blessing, Tom    (and Ruth)

UPDATE:

The Tomlinsons created an online journal and wishbook at Caring Bridge. See that here.

Are Housing Commissioners Endangered Species?

They just might be, if Councilman Tom Hribar has his way. Twice during the October 6 San Juan Capistrano City Council meeting, Hribar said he believes the Housing Commission should be done away with.

The first time was during a recommendation by Economic Development Manager Douglas Dumhart that the Housing Advisory Commission review some professional services folks for an affordable housing project the city is planning on Camino Capistrano just north of Junipero Serra Road.

Hribar questioned that, saying the expertise necessary might be beyond the commission. He went further, saying the commission should be done away with. Councilman Lon Uso pointed out the commission has as much as expertise on some items as City Council members.

Here's that exchange.

Then later, Hribar again brought up the suggestion the commission should be eliminated.

That's here.

This, of course, all comes on the heels of concerns raised by Councilman Sam Allevato, over a column Gila Jones wrote in The Dispatch and some other issues. Here's an earlier post on that, including audio of Allevato's comments.

That led to a discussion about how commissioners should be disciplined, and what the council can do. The final suggestion: A sub-committee have a chat with the commissioner privately, and if that doesn't work, the issue goes public.

Here's that exchange.

Is California Going to Fail?

A very well written and interesting article from the Guardian in the UK about the future of our state ...

"California has a special place in the American psyche. It is the Golden State: a playground of the rich and famous with perfect weather. It symbolises a lifestyle of sunshine, swimming pools and the Hollywood dream factory.

But the state that was once held up as the epitome of the boundless opportunities of America has collapsed. From its politics to its economy to its environment and way of life, California is like a patient on life support. At the start of summer the state government was so deeply in debt that it began to issue IOUs instead of wages. Its unemployment rate has soared to more than 12%, the highest figure in 70 years. Desperate to pay off a crippling budget deficit, California is slashing spending in education and healthcare, laying off vast numbers of workers and forcing others to take unpaid leave. In a state made up of sprawling suburbs the collapse of the housing bubble has impoverished millions and kicked tens of thousands of families out of their homes. Its political system is locked in paralysis and the two-term rule of former movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger is seen as a disaster – his approval ratings having sunk to levels that would make George W Bush blush. The crisis is so deep that Professor Kevin Starr, who has written an acclaimed history of the state, recently declared: "California is on the verge of becoming the first failed state in America." "

Here's the piece.