6% in 25 days is Impressive, but no Gold Ring

Yesterday we talked about the difficulties of gathering 4,000 valid signatures in 30 days, in order to put two development projects on the ballot in 2014.

The bad news is that we failed on our first referendum. We gathered about 2,400 valid signatures, which is slightly more than half of what we needed. In retrospect there were three major problems – (1) the time lost getting started, which took 5 days, (2) the difficulty of recruiting grassroots signature gatherers and getting them supplied, educated, and on the streets, and (3) a heat wave that made it difficult for everyone.

LOTS OF PEOPLE HELPED

The good news is that people did show up to help. Here’s a partial list (in no particular order) of the people who gathered signatures. It’s a partial list because a few people asked to remain anonymous.

• Heather Gilbert
• Jim Richert
• Pamela Jane Krueger
• Merijoe Axelrod
• Elizabeth Smith
• Kathy Davison
• Vanessa Perez
• Carol Matheis
• Paul Matheis
• Scott Herzog
• Marta Herzog
• Peter Herzog
• Mary Altoff
• Bob Holtzclaw
• Janet Depue
• Jim Gardner
• Rolando Ozuna
• Marypat Bowman-Birrell
• Donna Turner
• Jean Clevenger
• Nancy Ugrin
• Beth Ng
• Penny Giakos
• Bonnie Oakden
• Marilyn Schrunk
  
• Dave Herzberg
• Bernie Esposito
• Tim Morisette
• Laura Hill
• Jill Case
• Ada Hanes

This is only the list of signature gatherers. Lots of other people helped out by lending their support, giving guidance, and allowing us to use their names to show that they supported the issues. Here’s a partial list of those people

• Mayor Pro Tem McCullough
• Councilman Peter Herzog
• Former Mayor Marcia Rudolph
• Former Planning Commissioner Tim Hughes
• Former Planning Commissioner Ken Carrell
• Former Planning Commissioner Terry Anderson
• Portola Hills Activist Dave Herzberg
• Foothill Ranch Activist Melissa Sims

EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL OF SUPPORT

More good news - 85% of the people we approached signed the petition. Very few people said they were in favor of the developer’s projects. Most people who refused to sign said “I don’t get involved” or “I want to get more information about this.” Not a single person said “I’m really proud of Councilmen Voigts, Nick, and Robinson”. In fact, at least a third of the people who signed wondered why we were wasting our time on the referendum when it should be a recall petition we were working on. No one issue, including  schools and traffic, was mentioned as much as corruption.

SPREADING THE WORD

There’s more good news. Stories have appeared in the OC Register, on the Voice of OC, and even on the radio. Corruption is always a hot topic, and the “Brookfield Boys” (Voigts, Robinson, and Nick) are under scrutiny for their past behavior. We’ve even been asked to provide information to public  groups who have taken an interest in what’s going on.

ONE LAST BITE

Of course we’d rather have succeeded, despite the obstacles, but the reality is that we came up far short of our goal. On the other hand, 6% of the registered voters took the time to sign and demonstrate their displeasure at the Council’s actions, and that’s a pretty impressive number even if it is less than the 10% required.

The fight against corruption and vested interests isn’t over yet. We have a second bite of the apple with the Trumark project, which is right across the street from the Brookfield one. Because the drop dead date for the delivery of the signatures is based on the passing of the ordinances, and since Trumark’s ordinance was passed 2 weeks after the Brookfield ordinance, we have 2 weeks left to achieve our goal with Trumark.

Getting enough signatures to stop Trumark remains a formidable task, and we can use all the help we can get. If you haven’t already volunteered, now is the time. If you helped on the first one, we need your help again. Fighting corruption and protecting the quality of life in our City is everyone’s concern, not just the 50+ people working on this issue.

Go to Save Lake Forest on Facebook or e-mail MaryAltoff@msn.com for more information.