During our February meeting, we checked our Election Buddy site, and at 5 pm, found that our new by-laws had passed. Now, we need to start the election process for new officers for mid-2013 to mid-2015. Self-nominations are now in order!
Gun Control
Nationally, gun control is a huge issue, and so con-troversial that we will have to be very loud and clear about the necessity of background checks and get-
ting rid of assault rifles and huge ammunition clips.
The first (background checks) seems to be less controversial, but we are seeing a lot of backlash
on the second two items.
To participate locally, you can join the group meeting
at Becky and Reilly Newman’s home in University
Park, Irvine on Thursdays. Contact them by email at Rebecca Newman <beckynewman2222@gmail.com>.
The new group, “South County Citizens Against Gun Violence,” also holds candlelight vigils and participate at gun show events. You can check out the website of the organization at http://www.lessgv.com/
The Orange County Great Park
Despite the many volunteers who showed up to protest, and to give cogent arguments for keeping the programs at the Great Park, the new City Council majority has cancelled or diminished virtually the entire program. The excuse is that the money is needed to finance the Solar Decathlon -- although it is poised to bring a minimum of $20 million to the city, including probably at least $1 million in sales tax revenue.
Council member Larry Agran’s suggestions that the staff be asked to investigate gaining greatly increased revenue from farm leases and RV storage rentals was ignored, as the majority evidently prefers charging toddlers $2 for each brief ride on the donated carousel.
At the last meeting, Tuesday, March 12, not only was the new budget passed that eliminated or curtailed many programs, but the majority also voted against adopting staff recommendations for improved IShuttle service to UC Irvine students, so they could become shoppers at the Irvine Spectrum. Now, they will continue to visit the District in Tustin instead, which means no sales tax revenue for Irvine! And this is a “business friendly” majority.
In addition (see Gun Control topic above), the majority refused to recommend that the Mayor join over 400 other mayors in signing on to “Mayors Against Illegal Guns.” Here, in the “safest city,” we evidently have a mayor who does not want to make such a commitment!
California Disclose Act
This is actually a national issue as well, since the cause
of the problems is the Supreme Court decision (the infamous Citizens United), that let big and hidden money into our elections. California is trying to solve it locally with the California Disclose Act.
Our club voted in January to support the Disclose Act, (SB 52) and we were a co-sponsor of the Kick-Off event at the Delphi Community Center, 505 East Central Avenue, in Santa Ana on March 23 from 2-4 pm. It was well attended, and petitions are ready to pass out to your neighbors.
And That’s Not All, Folks!
Gail Lewis, who worked hard for a year to get the law passed that prohibits the sale of puppy and kitten mill pets in Irvine, as well as wild animal acts and rodeos which could appear in the Great Park, told me that there might be an attempt to repeal that law by the new City Council majority. Her work spread much beyond Irvine, since the Irvine Company agreed to shut down “mill stores” on their properties throughout Orange County, and even beyond.
What happens in Irvine, in other words, does not stay in Irvine. It will be of top importance for us to regain control of the Irvine City Council once more in 2014. Three council members, including Dr Choi will be up for re-election, or to have their spots filled.
We must be recruiting candidates now, and we must be adding to our relatively small bank account so we can open an Irvine headquarters in 2014.
Please join us and join our grassroots efforts!
