It's Time To Say Adios
CHANGE...
One of the certainties of life is
change. Most of us go through
phases in our lives when things change - childhood, school, young adulthood,
career(s), kids, empty nesters, retirement and... well, you get the picture. Today I find myself at another one of
those change points.
SOME HISTORY
When I wrote my very first
commentary to the Daily Pilot fifteen years ago it began a change in my life
that has proven to be both positive and negative, simultaneously - just as are most things in life. From that embryo - and several dozen
letters to the editor and commentaries in local newspapers - this blog has emerged in a couple different
iterations. I wrote my first blog
entry using a different blog host - I've referred to it as a "bare bones" blog - on July 9, 2005, cautioning us about the
possibility of the use of eminent domain to facilitate change on the Westside
of town. I shifted to this site,
where comments are permitted and images are accommodated, on November 1, 2006. Now - more than
3400 entries later, with tens of thousands of page views each month (3 million
total and counting), several acknowledgements as a top blogger in the area and
many new friends (and more than a few enemies) - it’s time for another change. Although I know my efforts have made a difference in our community, it’s time for me to stop blogging.
UNANTICIPATED EVENTS
As some of you know, last year
threw me a very significant curveball health-wise. Last June a pulmonary embolism, apparently caused by a
tumble I took a couple months earlier,
nearly cost me my life.
When the emergency room doctor told me I was lucky, because there were
four things that could have happened and the other three would have killed me
immediately, it got my attention.
Ever since that time I’ve been dealing with the after effects of that
event and other little nuisances that happen during the course of this steady
march to geezerdom and it’s slowed me down significantly. Changes had to be made - including how
I did this blog.
HEALTH DEMANDS...
No longer can I attend a
meeting until midnight, then come home and write until dawn to meet the
expectations of a few thousand people who have grown accustomed to my views
awaiting them when they dragged themselves out of bed. Now I go home, hit the sack and begin
putting things together in the morning, with the end result being posted
sometime after noon. It takes longer
because I must interrupt my composition to pry myself out of my chair to give
this old body some exercise, lest another nasty blood clot manifest itself in a
way that would have a very unhappy ending.
ANOTHER LIFE CHANGE
Last month my sweet and very
patient wife - and caretaker of my new health protocols - decided to retire
from the business she and her two younger brothers have successfully operated
for more than four decades. When
she stopped going to the office it marked the first time in our forty-nine
years of marriage that we both were out of a job - unless you count this as “a
job” - and it’s been very interesting.
THE NEXT PHASE
Now we are planning this next
phase of our lives together, which will include the celebration of our 50th
wedding anniversary in August and much more travel to many venues we’ve wanted
to visit, but just couldn’t carve out the time to do so. And, it will certainly include many
more frequent visits to our favorite getaway on the Central California Coast. We’re getting very excited about
planning these adventures. And,
after many weeks of contemplation and consultation, I just don’t see a way to fold into those
adventures the time it takes to continue writing this blog. It’s not practical and not fair to her,
even if I was up to it. And, of
course, there are these nagging health issues which have forced me to abandon
my personal mantra - “You only have a certain number of heart beats and none
should be wasted on exercise.” - and have caused me to contemplate an exercise program
that will also cut into my day.
And, so, we move on...
I'VE ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE DAY
I’ve enjoyed nearly every single
second of the time I’ve spent presenting my thoughts for you, my loyal
readers. Some of you have become
more informed, others have been entertained and more than a few have been
angered. I smile when I think of
all those reactions to what I write.
Perfection remains an elusive goal. I acknowledge that I’ve not always been correct in my views,
but I’ve always tried to do my homework, study the issues, attend the meetings
and provide my best assessment of what I’ve seen and heard. Some of you have agreed with me and
some certainly have not, but I’ve always appreciated your thoughts and have
considered them carefully as I tackled the pithy issues facing our community. I have always appreciated the kind
words from those of you who have chosen to write to me.
APPRECIATE THE PRAISE AND SUPPORT
I’ve also appreciated the praise
and encouragement from professionals in the local media. Former Publisher Tom Johnson and
editors, Bill Lobdell, S.J. Cahn, Brady Rhoades, Tony Dodero and John Canalis
of the Daily Pilot, for example, have encouraged me, tolerated me, edited and
published my too-wordy submissions to make them better, and have chosen me to
be part of the DP 103 list of those folks they considered to be influential in
our community several times.
Obviously, despite their best efforts, I have still not mastered
brevity. I have abandoned that as
a goal. Many of those editors also
offered me a regular column in that fine newspaper - a dozen times, in fact -
and I thanked them, but gratefully turned them down. I’m not geared to be “edited”, nor could I write “on
assignment” - I write about what interests me. I’m also grateful to other local publications and blogs who
have offered similar opportunities, and to Gustavo Arellano and the editors of
the OC Weekly, who selected my blog as the Best in OC a couple times. And, of course, I’m grateful to my
friend, Byron de Arakal, whose Daily Pilot commentaries many years ago provoked
my very first efforts to influence the populace. This has all been pretty heady stuff for an old guy with
marginal writing skills, a skull
full of opinion and too much time on his hands.
THE GOAL
When I began this effort - that
word really doesn’t seem right, since this has been less an “effort” than a
pursuit of a passion - my goal was to encourage more folks to pay attention and
get involved in local issues. I
take great pride in the fact that I’ve met that goal, and then some. More people have become engaged in
local issues due, at least in part, to some of the things I’ve written.
AFTER CONSULTATION AND CONSIDERATION...
I’ve recently tested the waters
about stopping this blog with a couple very wise close friends who have asked
me to consider simply just cutting back - attend fewer meetings, write fewer
words, post fewer entries. I
appreciate that advice and have given it a lot of thought. However, in my opinion, a big part of
the value of what I’ve been doing has to do with continuity. Attending most important meetings,
hearing the comments and seeing the players in action has given me a
perspective unlike most others. If
I were to curtail those activities it wouldn’t be long before I would lose the
continuity of events and the quality of this product would decline. I’m not eager for that to happen. I guess I’d rather stop somewhere near
the peak instead of sliding slowly downhill toward the abyss of insignificance.
HANDING OFF IS NOT AN OPTION
Others have suggested I find
someone else to either share the writing or to take over A Bubbling Cauldron
completely. That is not an option. What you’ve read on these pages has
been my work product, based on my observations and my opinions. No, I will retain the domain, toss some
water on the flames that keeps this pot boiling and simply let it cool. I might occasionally resurrect this
site from time-to-time, so I suggest you go to image shown above on my Home
Page and click on it to use one of the readers available to be alerted when a
new entry pops up. And, I will
continue to post any future entries on my Facebook page and on my Twitter feed,
too... but those will be few and far between. And, because things continue to happen in this city, I
suspect I’ll be reacting to events on both those platforms, too - just not via
the blog.
SOME THOUGHTS...
Before I douse the fire under the
old Cauldron I do want to leave you with a few thoughts - for whatever they are
worth.
THANKS TO THE EMPLOYEES
First, I want to express my
gratitude to every single employee of the City of Costa Mesa. Much of what I've written has been about them. I’ve gotten to know many of them quite
well over the years. The trauma
many have endured, particularly over the past decade, has been very difficult
for them, but they have persevered.
I’ve watched as previous council majorities tried to eviscerate the
organization, leaving only anxious, beleaguered employees in the wake of that
activity. I’ve seen new folks come
and go. I’ve seen many long term employees retire or simply seek a different
pasture - I hesitate to call them “greener” - for a variety of reasons. During all my contacts with City
employees I’ve ALWAYS found them to be helpful, professional and eager to do a
good job. I will always be
grateful for that.
THANKS TO YOU READERS
Second, to those of you have
become loyal readers - thank you.
Those two little words hardly seem enough. I have appreciated your participation in the issues of our
times. I know some of you balked
when I was forced to require commentors to register, but many simply did the
necessary confidential registration and continued to provide us with their
insights. As I’ve said many times,
I’m very disappointed that folks with differing viewpoints refused to
participate - comments that echo what I write are always welcome, but I much
prefer a spirited, intelligent debate, with differing views provided. Alas, that seldom happens. On that note, I’ve ceased the
registration requirement. Anybody
can now post a comment, but I still have to view each comment before approving
it for publication. If I think
someone has attempted to use another’s identity I simply will not post it. If someone posts language that will
offend others, I will not post it. I will post opposing viewpoints. It really won’t be much of an issue, since there will be few
entries on which to post comments.
In many cases I suspect our relationships will cease because I’ve
stopped publishing this blog, since we have been bound together in our common
interests on city issues and I’m walking away. That will sadden me, but I do understand...
THE COUNCIL'S DOING OK, BUT...
Third, while I’m generally happy
with the present configuration of the new City Council and the commissions and
committees they have appointed, I’m not particularly pleased with how things
have been going. I agree with many
of their plans for the direction this city will be taking for the next couple
of years. But, in my opinion, the
strained relationships on the dais need to be resolved quickly. The core of City Council - Mayor
Katrina Foley, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Genis and Councilman John Stephens - make
up a group of dedicated, intelligent, clear thinkers who know how to frame
arguments and persuade others.
I’m not unhappy that Jim Righeimer and Allan Mansoor are in the minority
and I suspect we’ll see many 3-2 votes as the months progress... such is life.
MAJOR ISSUES AHEAD
There are several major issues
that the new council majority will be working on that will effect all of
us. For example:
LIONS PARK PROJECT COSTS
The Lions Park Project, which
replaces the existing Neighborhood Community Center with a new,
state-of-the-art two-story library and converts the existing Donald Dungan
Branch Library into a new, smaller community center. The project also creates a new acre of public parkland. Ever since this project was proposed
the costs have escalated. You all
need to pay attention to that because there’s no doubt that trend will
continue.
DISTRICT VOTING/DIRECTLY-ELECTED MAYOR
The Directly-elected
mayor/District Voting scheme will begin implementation for the 2018 election
cycle. Candidates for that mayor
slot are already jockeying for positions and folks are trying to figure out how
they might run for the other vacancies.
It will take the next cycle, in 2020, to complete this
metamorphosis. Watch how this is
managed by the City Council, and watch Jim Righeimer - who hijacked this process at the last minute and forced this new method onto the ballot - scramble for that mayor
slot since he’s termed out of his council seat in 2018.
ROLLING BACK THE OVERLAYS
Undoing the Harbor and Newport
Boulevard Overlays that were passed by the last regime as part of the General
Plan update. Those were
developer-driven and tax our infrastructure, add horrendous amounts of traffic
to our streets and are bad ideas for Costa Mesans.
SMALL LOT ORDINANCE
Revisiting the Small Lot Ordinance
- another developer-driven change that has codified the dilution of protections
for our neighborhoods to facilitate rampant growth throughout the city.
SOBER LIVING HOMES
Keep an eye on how the City deals
with the whole Sober Living Home issue.
The most recent changes to our two ordinances might help, but there will
certainly be lawsuits that will spring from our attempts to enforce our rules
and that industry - a $35 billion business - will certainly test our resolve
and our treasury.
HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS
How effectively will our City
Council and staff deal with Homelessness in our city. We’re told we have the greatest number of homeless
individuals per capita than any other Orange County city. Progress has been made, but there are
no easy solutions to this issue.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety is a top priority
for the City Council. Hold their
feet to the fire on the staffing issues - the CMPD continues to be understaffed
by about 20%, and that’s based on the bogus staffing level imposed by the
previous administration. We
currently have no staff Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs), so patrol officers
are forced to perform those duties.
We may not reach that staffing level until the end of next year, and
that will still put us about 10% below the proper staffing level necessary to
properly protect our residents, businesses and visitors. Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue seems to be on the right track now, which is encouraging.
OUTSOURCING AND CONSULTANT COSTS
Outsourcing continues to plague
our city. Right now our entire
senior management level in Development Services is made up of very expensive -
and very competent - contract employees.
Most of the engineering done in the city is done by contractors, as is
much of the inspection and plan check services. Contractors operate our jail and street sweeping services
and, as of the end of June, will do all park and landscape maintenance,
too. It’s important to manage
those resources carefully, to be sure the residents are being properly served.
MANY IMMEDIATE MEETINGS PENDING
As I fold this tent up now I will
remind you that there are plenty of things that should require your immediate
attention over the next few weeks.
PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY
Monday there is a Planning
Commission meeting, which I’ve already written about.
BUDGET MEETING TUESDAY
Tuesday, however, is a Special
Study Session beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1A at which the City
Council will dig into a proposed budget that increases spending by more than
7%, to a total of over $155 million.
Read the staff report HERE.
SENIOR COMMISSION ALSO TUESDAY
Tuesday morning there will be a meeting
of the unnecessary (in my opinion) Senior Commission meeting at the Senior
Center at 9:00 a.m. HERE.
COUNCIL MEETING ON THE 16TH
The following Tuesday - the 16th
- there will likely be another council meeting.
COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETING ON THE 18TH
On Thursday, the 18th, there will
be a Community Budget meeting at 5:30 in Conference Room 1A - a time for
residents to hear about the budget in a casual, participative atmosphere. These have been sparsely-attended in
past years, but represent an opportunity for residents to get up close and
personal with the budget process, ask questions and take away a much clearer
understanding of how spending our tax money is prioritized.
Since I will no longer be
reporting about these meetings for you in the future, I suggest you visit the
City website, HERE, frequently and check the Calendar to see what’s happening. And, click on the Costa Mesa Minute on
the left side of the page for the latest information, presented by Dane Bora
and the CMTV team. Also, click
HERE to be taken to the “e-notification” page (there’s also a link at the top
of the City Home Page) where you can sign up for any and all city
communications and meeting announcements.
I suggest you just check the box at the bottom to subscribe to them
all. Public Information Officer
Tony Dodero is doing a good job of pumping out information - particularly in
his Costa Mesa Snapshot each week.
If you can’t make it to meetings, be sure you watch them on live CMTV or
live streamed on the City web site or view them later. Another GREAT community resource is
Diane Hill’s United Neighbors Newsletter. To subscribe, write to her at unitedneighbors@cmprepared.com.
and include a telephone number so she can contact you before including you on
one of her subscription lists.
READ THE LOCAL COVERAGE
And please do avail yourselves of
the excellent Costa Mesa reporting being done by Luke Money in the Daily Pilot
and Louis Casiano, Jr. in the Orange County Register. Both do a fine job of covering the most important issues,
and do so without the burden of having to provide an opinion - just the facts.
BEWARE OF SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Don’t be swayed by the bogus
social media sites that have evolved in our city over the past couple
years. The Costa Mesa Public
Square (CMPS), for example, was created by a resident, then was taken over by out-of-towners intent on influencing the last election. They failed, despite the fact that several elected officials
and their appointed surrogates commented long and loud. Some of the same folks swept in and
snatched one site of reason and civilized discussion - Dennis Barton’s Costa
Mesa site - when he passed away, and have turned it into a kind of Costa Mesa
Public Square Annex. Tom Johnson,
mentioned above, opined when I was a guest on his radio show a year ago that
the CMPS site was specifically created to counter the influence this blog was
having on city issues. I have no
idea if that’s true or not, but others have attempted to defame the efforts
that appeared here by creating blogs to compete - and they are long gone.
NOT AN EASY DECISION, BUT...
It is with very strong mixed
emotions, and a lot of consultation and contemplation, that I’ve decided to stop blogging. The site will remain open for your reference and, maybe, the occasional entry. It has not been an easy decision, but is one I felt was necessary
at this point in my life for the reasons mentioned above. I wish
you all well. I will miss our
interaction. You probably have not
heard the last of me, but - at least for awhile - this is adios. Thanks, one more time, for your
loyalty, friendship and your enthusiastic willingness to joust on issues. You will always occupy a warm spot in
my heart. It’s been one of the
great joys of my life to serve you.
ADIOS, AMIGOS...
Labels: A Bubbling Cauldron, Jim Righeimer, John Stephens, Katrina Foley, Public Safety, Sandra Genis, Sober Living Homes
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 5/07/2017 11:10:00 PM
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