The Capistrano Insider

Well, These Folks Aren't Moving Here ...

I'd earlier posted about an email I'd received from a Long Beach couple who thought of moving to San Juan Capistrano, but weren't happy with what they saw on Parade Day.

I'd responded you can't judge the town by one day, anymore than you can judge New Orleans on Fat Tuesday or Long Beach on Grand Prix weekend. To put it bluntly, they didn't agree. Their response:

"Thank you Jonathan for your prompt response.

Yet I can assure you that what I saw on San Juan Capistrano doesn't happen in Long Beach during the Grand Prix or the Gay parade or any other event.

 

If the best you can do is to tell me that the city gets out of control because of a parade and Sallow's Day then that makes my point even stronger. Swallow's Day is supposed to be a day for a family to enjoy and not a day taken by unruly crowds.

 

I've been all over the world in many different events and I haven't seen the debauchery I saw in SJC over the weekend.

 

You can keep the insider's tour to yourself! A city must be appreciated any day of the year without a need for an "insider's tour."

 

Regards,

George and Robin Schneider"

 

Well, I responded, your loss.

 

(And kudos to Councilwoman Laura Freese, who also wrote them a really nice note about the beauty and wonder of our little town.)

 

Here's a link to their earlier email.

 

I Guess Not Everybody Loves a Parade ... (updated)

A couple of years ago the city got a letter from a couple who'd come out for the Return of the Swallows. They were angry, though, that not enough swallows really came back, and essentially accused us all of being liars.

And now this pops into my mailbox, after the 2009 Parade:

Dear Mr. Volzke,

 

Last Saturday night my wife and I decided to spend the evening in downtown San Juan Capistrano. For months now we have been thinking aobut relocating from Belmont Heights, Long Beach, to such a charming town. We have been scouting properties and have previewed a few. Yet, after witnessing the mess that downtown is on weekends we have discarded the possibility of relocating there.

 

As we made our way through downtown alll we found was filth, broken beer bottles, rowdy crowds and a sea of drunkards. What kind of city allows this? How can you advertise your city for tourism without disclosing the nightmare it becomes on Saturday nights?

 

I hope one day this beautiful city and its mission can be cleaned up and be a place where families can enojy a weekend in peace.

 

Sincerely,

 

George and Robin Schneider

Long Beach, CA

 

I wrote back and explained that judging SJC on parade weekend is like judging New Orleans on Fat Tuesday or Long Beach on the weekend of the Grand Prix. I offered an insider's tour if they want to return...

 

UPDATE:

 

The good feelings return. I just got this email:

 

Just have to say how much we enjoyed the parade and festivities in San Juan Capistrano last Saturday.  It was our first visit and definitely won't be our last to your charming and hospitable area.  Everyone we met was friendly and hospitable.  We had a ball! 

 

Vicki and Ken Menges

Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Sheriff's Department Reports Relatively Trouble-Free Parade Day

Lt. Dan Dwyer, San Juan Capistrano's Chief of Police Services, reports a pretty safe and sane parade day.

Here's his report:

"Swallows Day went quite smoothly for San Juan Capistrano Police Services.  We had three lost children reunited with their families and a few reported lost items.  No citations or arrests were made during the parade and Mercado event.

 One arrest was made outside of the parade route for a gang injunction violation.

 The DUI task force was out and a female DUI was arrested in the area of Aguacate and Del Obispo.  The totals for the task team  will be given to me tomorrow.

 No major disturbances were reported at any of the local bars/restaurants.  One minor disturbance at the Swallows involved two females arguing over military branches…

Lt. Dan"

A couple of observations from me:

The crowd seemed a little thinner than in previous years ... OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens walked the route with the City Council ... scratch that, walked the route with most of the City Council. Despite a public announcement he'd shun the Portola entry and walk with his fellow council members -- who passed on a horse-drawn wagon to save some money -- I spotted Councilman Sam Allevato up on horseback with the cowboys while the Council hoofed it on foot.

 

La Pata Extension, Stonehill Off Ramp Among New Priorities

Pushing the La Pata extension through to San Clemente and adding an off ramp from the southbound San Diego Freeway at Stonehill are new additions to the San Juan Capistrano City Council's priority list.

Also new on the list: A comprehensive plan for San Juan Capistrano's historic downtown.

The council is expected to give final approval to the list of priorities on Tuesday. City Manager Dave Adams does a good job of holding the council to the priorities, to save money and staff time by ensuring projects actually get finished rather than tossed aside with any new idea from a councilmember.

Falling off the list this year is continued efforts at bringing more electronic access and services to City Hall, as well as the park at San Juan Creek Road and La Novia. A lingering priority of general park upgrades is also being dumped.

In his report to the council, though, Adams warns there's still a few things to talk about: Council wants staff to work on the new park in the NW Open Space, a visitors center and the final phase of the downtown lighting project, but those are either not on the current list or aren't funded.

The council meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall. Click here for the staff report.

Another Run at the Theater -- Really!

The proposed $450,000 no-interest loan is back on the San Juan Capistrano redevelopment agency agenda Tuesday night. That has to be a good sign.

The council last time was warm to the idea of a loan, but never really got to discuss it. Regency Theatres, which is interested in leasing the theater space from the owners of Franciscan Plaza, pulled the item at the last minute.

At the time, it was widely suspected negotiations over the lease had broken down. So the fact that it's back on has to be a good sign, and I don't think we'd see it again if the deal wasn't all but done. Staff wouldn't want to be burned twice.

Regency plans four stadium-styled theaters, and a VIP lounge that would serve beer and wine. The $450,000 loan would help them finish construction in the shell of a building.

The redevelopment agency/council meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall.

Here's the staff report.