The Los Angeles Times reported on the 7th that Orange County prosecutors plan to file a civil case against former Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent James Fleming, and other officials alleging that trustees, including Crystal Kochendorfer and Marlene Draper, illegally conducted public business in secret, including approving millions of dollars in construction cost overruns for the new district headquarters. The report was based on recently unsealed grand jury transcripts.

I suspect the grand jury may not yet have completed all its work on this sad tale of political corruption at CUSD, and more witnesses may be called before a case is actually filed. Having served as counsel to the prior CUSD recall campaign, I can tell you there really is a lot of evidence of misdoing to collect. The Times reported the OC District Attorney’s "looming complaint " will allege that district officials, among other matters, violated the state open-meeting law, Brown Act.

I successfully brought a private-attorney general Brown Act case against the CUSD last year on similar charges for my client Ron… Read More

UPDATE: Two more departures – political director Rob Jesmer and deputy campaign manager Reed Galen.

This morning, the top two figures in the McCain for President campaign, Campaign Manager Terry Nelson (pictured) and John Weaver, abruptly and unexpectedly — quit.

Senator McCain’s longtime advisor Rick Davis is stepping up to fill the role, begging the question of whether McCain’s campaign is (rather quickly) transitioning from a major nationwide effort that had him topping the polls for some time, to one of those pained campaigns where the esteemed U.S. Senator runs around America running for President, when everyone knows he is not a factor.

Momentum is important for a campaign — more positive things beget more positive things. The reverse is also true — bad news can quickly… Read More

asdfaf … Read More

What is it with those in power, that have them totally unwilling to pass the baton so that others may have their opportunity to participate in the process? We’ve already written a lot (and I am sure will we see much more on this website) about the sham term limits "reform" measure being promoted by ‘termed out’ politicians Don Perata and Fabian Nunez (funny how this "reform" has the effect of allowing dozens of legislators currently forced to retire next your to instead serve in office for years longer).

Well, I just read over at Capitol Weekly (h/t to John Howard) that now the same Demcrats that are trying to short circuit meaningful term limits for State Capitol politicians are trying to nuke term limits for the Chairmanships of three important California regulatory agencies — the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and the Mojave District Air Quality Management District.

Term limits are a good thing, and especially in the case of those obscure agencies where board members… Read More

This just in from Tony Krvaric….

I’m at city council chambers:

Donna Frye announced she will NOT vote for the override. Vote will come down 4-4, essentially NOT overriding the Mayor’s Veto. Newsflash! Will e-mail you as soon as the final vote is done.

Tony

12:42 am Update:

Final vote will come at 2 PM. They recessed for lunch, but Donna Frye already went on record (TV) that she’s changing her vote to NO, i.e. NOT voting for the override of the veto.

Tony… Read More

The Wal-Mart ban fails…see my prior post below:

Frye shifts vote, backs Walmart Supercenter by Matthew T. Hall UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER 3:14 p.m. July 10, 2007

Wal-Mart Supercenters may be in store for San Diego, after all.

The San Diego City Council essentially balked at its own ban of large retail developments with full-service groceries Tuesday afternoon after Councilwoman Donna Frye surprisingly announced she would switch her vote.

Link to the entire UT Story.… Read More

At tonight’s meeting of the San Joaquin County Republican Central Committee, members were informed that former Stockton Mayor and 2004 5th Senatorial district candidate Gary Podesto has changed his registration to independent and resigned from the committee. Podesto had also served a short period as Chairman of the committee.

An election will be held next month to replace him as an ex-officio member of the committee.… Read More

URGENT MEMO TO ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS Date: July 9, 2007 To: Assembly Republican Legislators From: Jon Fleischman, Publisher, The FlashReport RE: Your vote is urgently needed against ACA 8 There is a very dangerous measure making its way through the California legislature right now, Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8, authored by Democrat Hector De La Torre.

Why is this measure dangerous? As we all know, the tragic decision of the United States Supreme Court in Kelo vs. New London has allowed for significant abuse of eminent domain by government, allowing private property to be seized by local government on behalf of other private parties, if there is economic benefit to the local government. It’s a terrible decision, and one that rightly strikes fear… Read More