Pacific Progressive

Killing the CUSD - Education Alliance Strategy for Permanent Paycuts

The teacher strike in Capo Unified has been caused  by a refusal of the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD)  to engage in reasonable negotiations and give the teachers the same deal other public school teachers in Orange County got:  a temporary paycut and temporary furlough days.

This deal is good enough for other public school teachers in Orange County, but not good enough for CUSD.  The CUSD board has to go one further and make the paycuts permanent. The board also wants to cut the number of work days, permanently.

 Why, when others in Orange County are agreeable to temporary paycuts and temporary furloughs, would the CUSD board want the teachers to take worse terms?

First, the Capistrano Unified school board is lead by members of the Education Alliance.  Ellinorianne does a great job explaining the issues and exposing the hand of the Education Alliance  Attack on Public Education - Education Alliance - A National Issue on the Daily Kos.  The Education Alliance believes public schools are broken, English should be the only language of instruction, and wants more charter schools.

This deal offered to the CUSD teachers would make their pay not attractive to new teachers. Also, the lower pay would encourage experienced teachers to move to other districts where they can get a more "industry standard" payscale.  The long term strategy here is to lower pay, get experienced teachers to leave, get less experienced and less desirable teachers to take the jobs, and then, when academic performance goes down, point at the schools and say, "Look public education doesn't work."

If the CUSD board doesn't really intend to do this, they will negotiate in good faith the the teachers.  CUSD will agree to a pay reduction package which has the same terms and conditions as similar pay reduction packages for comparable districts in Orange County.  They can do that this Friday afternoon.  It should take about 30 minutes to present the idea and come to an agreement. Then, the attorneys can hammer out the language over the weekend. On Monday, the language written by the lawyers for the temporary paycuts and cuts to workdays can be reviewed and agreed to. 

And then the strike is over on Monday.

And seniors can get ready to graduate.

And students can get ready for their STAR tests.

And high schoolers can get ready for their AP Tests.

This is do-able by Monday.  CUSD, do it and show you actually care about education, not ideology.

Call Vector Control and Tell Them No Private Pest Control Companies

 The Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) helps to control little critters who carry diseases.  (These animals are called "disease vectors" because they move the disease around, hence the name.)  If you have a problem with a dead bird and there is West Nile Virus in the area, you call Vector Control.  Same thing for a neighbor who won't take care of their pool which is now a mosquito farm - call Vector Control and they will work with the neighbor so you don't have to.

A plan is being considered to privatize rat control services. Currently, if you see rats around, Vector Control will come out and give you (for free!) traps and bait and show you how to properly use them. They will also help you find the openings the rodents are using to get into your house and show you how to close them off.

These services are paid by an assessment of about $6.98 per year per residence in the County.  Taxpayers are able to get a lot for their $6.98.

Now, some members of the Vector Control board want to let private extermination companies (Terminix, Orkin, Truly Nolen are some common names) provide the rat control services. The plan is to send the companies out on calls to homes to provide the rat control services to the home owners.  Then, the pest control company can then sell the homeowner services to control pests on the inside of the home.

Smell a rat?  Does turning Vector Control into a marketing company for private pest control companies sound like a bad deal to you?  Call and write your representative on the Vector Control District. Each of the 34 incorporated cities has a representative. If you live in the unincorporated areas, your rep is Supervisor John Moorlach.

The representatives for each area are listed.  If you have a relationship with them, please use that to tell them "No to Private Pest Control Companies."  You can also call, fax and write them at the Vector Control Board.  Sending faxes works very well because it creates a paper trail of who objects and carries more weight than an email.

Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD), 13001 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92843

Phone 714-971-2421 949-654-2421  Fax 714-971-3940

Aliso Viejo - Mayor Phillip B. Tsunoda 

Let's Can Campbell! - Jan 23-24

It's time to can John Campbell - he does nothing for his district.  He won't meet with constituents. When his constituents do get thru to his office staff, they are berated by office staff for bothering to call the Congressman.  So far, the only two groups Campbell has worked to benefit are car dealers (he rents land to dealerships) and the birthers (Orly Taitz's son was an intern in his office and she is a donor.)

Beth Krom wants to take that seat from him so she can go to Washington and work for the CA 48 district.  

Let's Can Campbell! takes place Saturday and Sunday, January 23-24, 2010 in cities in the district.  Beth will be meeting with constituents to hear their concerns and canned food will be collected to help out fellow  Orange County residents.  The schedule is here.

Saturday January 23, 2010

Dana Point 11AM - Noon at Heritage Park, 34400 Golden Lantern

San Juan Capistrano Noon - 1 PM at Descanso Park, 32506 Paseo Adelanto

Laguna Niguel 1 - 2 PM at Hidden Hills Park, 27802 Springwood

Aliso Viejo 2 - 3 PM at Home of Heather Pritchard, 10 Santa Clara St

Laguna Hills 3 - 4 PM at Home of Taylor and Stephen Davis, 26602 Dapple Grey Dr.

Laguna Woods 4 - 5 PM at Clubhouse 6, 5365 Algarrobo

Sunday January 24, 2010

Laguna Beach 11 AM - Noon at Home of Audrey Prosser and Debra Quam, 230 Beverly St

Newport Beach Noon - 1 PM at Home of Susan Kopicki, 511 El Modena 

Lake Forest 1 - 2 PM at Serran Creek Community Park, 25101 Serrano Rd

Tustin 2 - 3 PM at Camino Real Park, 13602 Parkcenter Lane

Irvine 3 - 4 PM at OC Plaza, 2575 McCabe Way

Santa Ana 4 - 5 PM at Orange County Catholic Worker - Isaiah House, 316 South Cyress Ave

Find out more about the event in your city at [email protected]    949-870-9154

Facebook http://snurl.com/bethkrom or Friend in Beth Krom

Twitter @krom4congress

Imported Water Supply Shutdown - Jan 25-31

San Juan Capistrano is urging residents and businesses to conserve water by ceasing landscape watering and car washing while its imported water supplier shuts down its plant for a week this month.  The shutdown also impacts other cities in south Orange County.

The Diemer Filtration Plant, the Yorba Linda-based water treatment plant that serves South County, is expected to perform necessary maintenance and upgrades from Jan. 25 through Jan. 31. The facility, owned and operated by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), provides much of all of South County's potable water needs through two regional water pipelines.

The City's groundwater recovery plant, which began operation in December 2004, will help offset impacts of the waterline shutdown that will leave much of south Orange County with little or no imported water. However, the shutdown affects the City's major supply line for all potable (drinkable) water entering the City, and San Juan Capistrano needs to conserve in order to maintain supplies in its reservoirs for drinking, sanitary uses and firefighting.

Stopping the Sale of the Fairgrounds - Who is Against the Sale

Who is has signed on against the sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds?

Assemblyman Jose Solorio

Assemblyman Jim Silva

Assemblyman Van Tran

Buena Park - 12/22 agenda

Costa Mesa - Mayor Allan Mansoor, Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece, Councilmember Katrina Foley, Councilmember Eric Bever, Councilman Gary Monahan

County of Orange - Supervisor Pat Bates, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Supervisor John Moorlach, Supervisor Bill Campbell, Supervisor Chris Norby

Cypress - 12/15 agenda

Fountain Valley - Mayor Larry Crandall, Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Brothers, Councilmember Guy Carozzon, Councilmember John Colllins, Councilmember Steve Nagel

Fullerton - Mayor Don Bankhead, Mayor Pro Tem Pam Keller, Councilmember F. Richard Jones, Councilmember Shawn Nelson, Councilmember Sharon Quirk-Silva

Huntington Beach - 12/21 agenda

La Habra - 12/21 agenda

Laguna Hills - 1/8 agenda

Laguna Niguel - 12/15 agenda

Lake Forest - 12/15 agenda

Newport Beach - Mayor Keith Curry, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Henn, Councilmember Steven Rosansky, Councilmember Don Webb, Councilmember Leslie Daigle, Councilmember Edward Selich, Councilmember Nancy Gardner

Orange - Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, Mayor Pro Tem Tita Smith, Councilmember Mark Murphy, Councilmember Denis Bilodeau, Councilmember Joh Dumitru

San Clemente - 12/15 agenda

Santa Ana - Mayor Miguel Pulido, Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez, Councilmember Michele Martinez, Councilmember Carlos Bustamante, Councilmember David Benavides, Councilmember Sal Tinajero, Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento

$2 Rides to Medical Appointments for South County Seniors

South County Senior Services' senior non-emergency medical transportation program has available funding to transport seniors to and from their non-emergency medical appointments. 

Eligible trips include non-emergency medical appointments such as physical therapy, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation, dentistry, x-rays, prescription pickup and regular physicians' checkups. The program is available to qualified participants for a fee of $2 per one-way trip.

To use the service, participants must be at least 60 years of age, ineligible for Orange County Transportation Authority's ACCESS Services and reside within the South Orange County designated service area. This includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Capistrano Beach.

Individuals who are currently utilizing OCTA ACCESS, and are in a frail medical condition, which creates a hardship, may be granted a waiver and be allowed to use the SNEMT Program.

Participants can take trips to medical facilities within the designated service area. The program will also serve Kaiser Anaheim (Lakeview), UCI Medical Center in Orange, St. Joseph's Hospital of Orange and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. Rides are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Program participants are required to register before using the service and are urged to contact the program coordinator as soon as possible to obtain the necessary enrollment forms.

"The senior non-emergency medical transportation program is essential to provide seniors the ability to retain their independence while aging in their homes," said Chief Operating Officer Dan Palumbo.

Contact South County Senior Services at 949-855-8033.

Fire Departments Have Open Houses This Weekend

National Fire Prevention Week is during October 5 thru October 10.  Visit a firehouse near you during this weekend during an Open House. These events are always a favorite with the kids because they get to meet firefighters, see the firetrucks close up, and learn what an important job firefighting is.  The firefighters also teach families and business owners how to protect themselves and their loved ones in the case of emergency.

All events are on Saturday, October 10, 2009 unless noted.

Aliso Viejo OCFA Station #57, 57 Journey from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Anaheim from 10 AM to 2 PM at:

Euclid Fire Station #6 - 1330 S Euclid

Stadium Fire Station #7 - 2222 E Ball Rd

Weir Canyon Fire Station - 8270 E Monte Vista

Twila Reid Fire Station - 3078 W Orange

Brea from 10 AM - 2 PM at Fire Station #2, park in downtown parking structure and walk across Brea Blvd using the signal at Ash St

Buena Park OCFA Station #61, 8081 Western Ave from 9 AM - 2 PM

Costa Mesa  from 10 AM to 2 PM at:

Station #1 - 2803 Royal Palm Drive

Station #2 - 800 Baker St

Station #3 - 1865 Park St

Station #4 - 2300 Placentia Ave

Station #5 - 2450 Vanguard Way

Station #6 - 3350 Sakioka Dr

Cypress OCFA Station #17 - 4991 Cerritos Ave from 9 AM - 2 PM

Dana Point OCFA Fire Station #30 - 23831 Stonehill Dr from 9 AM - 2 PM

Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament - Oct 5

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley will host their 11th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, October 5 at the El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel.  The event is open to the public and costs $300 per player or $1200 per foursome.  18 holes of golf, cart and lunch are included.  Registration begins at 10 AM and tournament play starts at noon with a shotgun start.  

Family Classic Cars is sponsoring the event.  Players can win prizes for top golfer and raffles.  Proceeds from the event will benefit youth ages 7 -18.

For more information, call 949-240-7898 extension 13.  

March 2010 OCTA Bus Service Cuts - Community Meeting on October 1

OCTA is making cuts to bus service in March 2010 and is conducting a series of community meetings to present plans for proposed cuts and to receive feedback from customers.  

On Thursday, October 1, OCTA will be at the Laguna Hills Community Center, Heritage Rooms B& C from 6 - 8 PM to discuss options.  Laguna Hills Community Center is located at 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 and can be reached using bus routes 87 and 91. 

If you can't make it to the meeting, you can submit your feedback about proposed service cuts to Wendy Knowles, Clerk of the Board, OCTA, 550 S Main St, Orange, CA 92863-1584 or drop off your letter when you go in to buy a new bus pass.

OC Register 2nd Worst Person in the World for Sports Column Mocking Jaycee Dugard's Captivity and Rape

Here is the original post by Mark Whicker. This never should have been printed, never. Baseball is more important than the kidnap, rape and years long captivity of a child. Whicker should resign or be fired.  And the Hoile family wonders why people don't want to read their paper?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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September 19 is Coastal and Inner-Coastal Watershed Clean-Up Day

Saturday, September 19, is the statewide Coastal Cleanup and the 13th Annual Inner Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. Many cities, agencies and organizations participate in this yearly event to build awareness of how trash and debris clog our local creeks, beaches, ponds and watersheds.

Local organizers for the event include the Ocean Conservancy and Trails4All.  Trails4All has a list of clean-up activities on the website.  Sign up thru your city or the OC Parks and Recreation department.

Local cities and areas participating in include Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Black Star Canyon, Brea, Buena Park, Canyon View Park,  Costa Mesa, Dana Paoint, Fullerton, Glenwood/Glenbrook Park,  Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hill, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, La Habra, Lake Forest, La Palma,Long Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, O'Neill Regional Park, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Silverado-Modjeska Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Yorba Regional Park.  

Keeping trash and litter out of the water makes the areas more user friendly and saves the lives of animals. Many animals die each year after consuming trash which they think is food. Take a few hours on Saturday, September 19 and help clean up Orange County beaches, creeks, parks, and canyons.

Beth Krom: Setting the Healthcare Record Straight

This op-ed by Beth Krom, candidate for California's 48th Congressional district seat, appeared in the Laguna Beach Independent. Here is an excerpt:

Those in Congress who oppose healthcare reform are focused on the wrong patient.  They want to keep the insurance industry healthy at the expense of the long-term healthcare interests of the American people.  They want to preserve a marketplace that benefits the bottom line of pharmaceutical companies, even it if means that millions of Americans cannot afford the medicines they need to live.

More here.

Innovative Waste Diversion Projects Funded

Landfills can only hold so much and that is all the landfill does - hold the garbage.  Many types of "garbage" can actually be reused or recycled.  Over $2.5 million for waste diversion programs to create composting, recycling and other opportunities to avoid putting more garbage in the landfill were funded through a recent grant from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

City of San Clemente - Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program. Restaurants will Receive Bins and Weekly Collection. $400,000 

Mission Viejo - Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program. Process Organic Materials (Food) in Dehydration System. On-site System will Reduce Carbon Footprint - $400,000 

City of Cypress - Multi-Family Commercial Recycling Program $378,245 

City of Anaheim -  Multi-Family Commercial Recycling Program $234,238 

El Toro Water District Fast Facts

El Toro Water District (ETWD) 

www.etwd.com

234251 Los Alisos Blvd

Lake Forest, CA 92630

949-837-7050

El Toro Water District serves parts of south Orange County.  The district operates as both a water and sanitation district. The district pumps groundwater and buys water from wholesalers. The average annual budget is $22 million.

Service Area

Parts of Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo

Meetings

• Thursday July 23 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
• Thursday August 6 - Community Advisory Committee - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday August 25 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday August 27 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday September 22 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
• Thursday September 24 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday October 20 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday October 22 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday November 5 - Community Advisory Committee - 11:30 AM
  
• Monday November 23 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday November 24 - Board Meeting - 7:30AM
  
• Tuesday, December 15 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday December 17 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM

Board of Directors

Ted F. Martin, President

M. Scott Goldman, Vice President

John S. Dudley, Treasurer

William H. Kahn

Jerard B. Werner

Facilities Operated

•  6 reservoirs including the covered El Toro Reservoir
• Over 130 miles of water lines and 8 booster stations with 13 pressure zones
  
• 1900 fire hydrants
  
• 10,000 water service connections
  
• Emergency connections with other districts - Los Alisos, Trabuco Canyon, Moulton Niguel, Laguna Beach County, Santa Margarita and Irvine Ranch Water Districts
  
• Operate a wastewater treatment plant
  
• 142 miles of pipelines for sanitation purposes
  

 

OCTA Cutting Our Chances of Economic Recovery - Pt 2

OCTA  http://www.octa.net/ will make more cuts in September 2009, in addition to the June 2009 cuts.  This round of cuts will impact your ability to get to:

• 129 Schools and Colleges 
• 43 Shopping Centers, Malls, and Shopping Districts 
• 19 Hospitals and Medical Facilities 
• 32 Employers and Office Parks 
• 39 Civic Centers, Senior Centers , Libraries and other Government facilities
• 24 Park & Rides and Transit Connectors 
• 40 Parks, Beaches and other destinations

These cuts make it difficult to get to work, go to school, obtain medical care, go shopping for food and clothing, get books from a public library, get to a park or beach, and conduct business with the government.  If you depend on the bus, you are slowly being cut off from being able to compete in our local economy.

Trip Frequency and Service Reductions Starting September 2009

Starting in September 2009, replan your trip if you need to get to these destinations.  You can still get there, but it may be tricky, depending on when you need to be there, how long you need to stay, and what other connections you need to make to arrive at your final destination.  Here are the details: