Vol. 6, Issue 52, December 26, 2008-January 1, 2008
The year 2008 might not go down in San Juan Capistrano’s history books for any single event, but a civic activists’ diary for the year would read as good as any thriller, with twists and turns on every page. Recalls and elections led to new majorities on the school board and City Council. Studies on the Ortega Highway widening and a new interchange, major decisions in the toll-road debate—2008 may be a year that won’t be remembered for any one thing. But one thing is for sure:
It won’t soon be forgotten. —Compiled by Jonathan Volzke
JANUARY
OPEN SPACE POLL SHOWS SUPPORT
The results of a city survey showed that residents generally supported a second bond to buy more open space, as long as the measure includes procedures to ensure officials are accountable for managing and spending the money. The survey questioned 400 registered voters, and found up to 74 percent supported another bond. The poll also showed strong support for the open space protection ordinance slated for the November 4 election.
KENNY MCMINN DIES
The community lost Kenny McMinn, the bear of a man who sat watch at the back door of Swallows Inn. He was 68.
A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona resigns to fight federal corruption charges against him. Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson takes over on an interim basis.
ORTEGA WIDENING GETS FULL STUDY
Acknowledging public demand, Caltrans agrees to do a full environmental impact report on the proposed widening of Ortega Highway from the Hunt Club to the city’s eastern limits.
MISSION GARDENGATE
An independent report confirms that a Rectory Garden built without permits at the Mission does indeed sit on a historic cemetery and concludes it will never be known whether Native American remains were disturbed during the work.
FEBURARY
TOLL ROAD TUSSLE
The Coastal Commission refuses to grant a key permit for the southern extension of the 241 toll road east of Capistrano. The decision comes after a 14-hour hearing draws more than 3,500 people.
WATER WOES
The city shuts down a second drinking-water well after the potentially carcinogenic MtBE is found there. The first well was closed because of a decades-old spill from Chevron tanks; the source of contamination in the second well, at Kinoshita farms, is unknown.
HOO-YA!
Councilmember Tom Hribar jumps into a national fray when he denounces the city of Berkeley’s move to oust a Marine Corps recruiting station. “I personally would welcome a Marine Corps recruiting station in my town,” Hribar says.
OPEN SPACE SCORE
The city opens escrow to buy 109 acres of open space for $2.1 million. The deal, for land at the north end of town owned by the Shea Co., is largely negotiated by Open Space Committee members Brad Gates, Tom Lunnen and Dick Paulsen.
MIXED-USE? MAYBE.
The City Council voices preliminary support for a mixture of housing, office space and retail shops along La Novia Avenue. The plan also includes an equestrian center and would supplant an already-approved 440-home development on the south side of La Novia.
MARCH
EGANS ON ‘BIG GIVE’
About a year after Capistrano resident Tom Egan is murdered during a robbery at a Tustin Home Depot, his wife, A.J. Egan, and their young daughters are featured in the first episode of Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give television show. The District Attorney, meanwhile, announces he’ll seek the death penalty against Egan’s accused killer, Jason Richardson.
A GOLDEN PARADE
Kay Shaw serves as grand marshal for the 50th annual Swallows Day Parade. Her husband, Fulton, was an early parade organizer.
MORE COMMUNITY LOSSES
Mary Ellen Tryon, an author and Capistrano historian, passes away. She and husband Don were married for 58 years. The city also loses lifelong resident Al Jimenez and community services worker Linda Evans.
APRIL
INTERCHANGE REBUILD
Caltrans picks a preferred alternative for a rebuilt Ortega Interchange, one with a sweeping turn from Ortega Highway onto Del Obispo Street. Estimated cost: $62 million.
PRINCIPAL RETIRES
Tony Ferruzzo, the principal who opened San Juan Hills High School, abruptly retires six months after the campus opens.
VAQUERO WEST REBUILD
The City Council signs off architect Roy Nunn’s plans for a rebuilt Vaquero West building across the street from the movie theaters. The plan more than doubles in size the 4,000-square-foot building, creating a cluster of offices and shops.
MAY
HOUSING HORRORS
The City Council joins other South County cities in asking state officials to tighten housing codes. Under the current rules, it’s OK for as many as 25 people to live in 1,225 square feet.
VENTANAS VOTE
A split City Council approves an 11-building industrial/office park called Ventanas just south of the office park housing 24-Hour Fitness. Councilmembers Sam Allevato, Tom Hribar and Joe Soto supported the project, which some residents said was too big.
BOND BUCKS
The city issued $21 million in redevelopment bonds that must be spent in the redevelopment area—the city’s central core—and on affordable housing. Increased tax revenues from the area will repay the money.
BUDGET BLUES
The city approves a $22.7 million spending plan for its general fund, trimming 18 percent off the previous year’s spending plan. City Manager Dave
Adams calls it “the most difficult budget” during his term in Capistrano.
ANOTHER LOSS
Former Planning Commissioner and Rotarian Joe Drey dies while driving in an amateur-racing event at Willow Springs.
JUNE
RECALL RESULTS
Longtime Capistrano Unified Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper are recalled, replaced by Ken Maddox and Capistrano resident Sue Palazzo.
SALARY SNAFU
In a move that caused controversy, Capistrano Unified Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter accepts a pay raise that pushes his compensation to $273,000 annually. He’d held off on taking the money because of budget concerns, but retroactively accepted the raise.
GANG FIGHTS
Jonathan Mendez, 14, dies after being struck with a concrete block in a gang-related dispute in San Clemente. San Clemente boys are charged with murder; Capistrano youths are charged with their role in the fight.
AND THE HONOR GOES TO…
Capistrano resident Marek Cantor, who co-produced The 39 Steps on Broadway. The show won two Tony Awards.
ANOTHER SUDDEN LOSS
An ultra-light aircraft accident claims the life of Water Advisory Commissioner Fredrick “Jack” Zepp, a retired partner at Latham & Watkins. He leaves behind his wife, Meredith.
LANDLORD TROUBLES
The city gets a dose of bad press when eviction proceedings against longtime farmer Ignacio Lujano become public. He was living in a city-owned historic house at the north end of town.
HUTCHENS AT THE HELM
The Orange County Board of Supervisors appoint former Los Angeles County sheriff’s official Sandra Hutchens—a Dana Point resident—to replace Michael Carona.
JULY
CHILI LEAVES BAD TASTE
Swallow’s Inn officials reported
that the chili cookoff, an annual event canceled in 2007 because of disputes with the city and organizers, only broke even—meaning no money could be donated to charity.
HOUSING RAISING
Families that will become San Juan Capistrano residents are introduced during construction of the first eight homes in a Habitat for Humanities community off Alipaz.
BATTLE OF COLINAS RIDGE
The city and Laguna Niguel settle a lawsuit over that city’s approval of homes on the western ridge above town. The settlement limits lighting, colors and other visual impacts.
RELAY FOR LIFE
The city’s Sports Park is again home to the Relay for Life, which raises money for the fight against cancer.
ANOTHER LOSS
The community loses Jean Lacouague, who grew oranges at the end of San Juan Creek Road and was one of Capistrano’s first fire chiefs.
CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
Former Mayor Phil Schwartze and Ortega Equestrian Center owner Kathy Holman are named the Chamber of Commerce Man and Woman of the Year.
AN OFFICE TOUR
The Capistrano Unified School District is again in the headlines, this time after trustees Ellen Addonizio and Sue Palazzo are seen in Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter’s office during a district holiday.
AUGUST
GARDENGATE CONTINUES
The City Council agrees with a Cultural Heritage Commission recommendation that removing a large fireplace and food-prep area is enough to bring the Mission’s Rectory Garden into compliance. A fountain remains.
MORE GANG VIOLENCE?
Capistrano Beach resident Juan Montes Jr. is found slain in a San Clemente park protected under a gang-injunction. Authorities say it’s possible revenge for the earlier murder of San Juan Capistrano’s Jonathan Mendez.
SEPTEMBER
BYE-BYE BUSES
Students return to class at Capistrano Unified, but some need to find a new way to get to school. Trustees eliminated most home-to-school busing to save money. Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita sue over the move.
SHEA’S ANNIVERSARY
The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center off Oso Road celebrates 30 years of using horses as therapy for the developmentally disabled.
FIXING DOWNTOWN
A quick study by the Urban Land Institute tells the city some of those downtown parking lots should be retail or offices, increasing foot traffic to create a gem like La Jolla or Carmel.
QUIET, PLEASE
The City Council approves spending $837,000 to join a county project instituting “quiet zones” along the rail line. Additional traffic-safety measures will be installed, eliminating the need for trains to sound their horns.
TOLL ROAD APPEAL
More than 200 people testify before a representative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Transportation Corridor Agencies appeals the Coastal Commission decision to reject a key permit.
A NEW TOP COP
Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Dwyer takes over as San Juan’s Chief of Police Services after Lt. Mike Betzler moves on to the sheriff’s homeland security division.
MISSING MISSION INN
The Mission Inn, which opened on Ortega Highway as a motor lodge in 1959, closes its doors. The owners plan a new hotel and retail development.
OCTOBER
PLAYHOUSE PLANS
The City Council and directors of the Camino Real Playhouse agree on plans that scale back ambitious expansion dreams for the theater, which operates in a city-owned building. The playhouse instead will expand within the current footprint of the building.
PARK PLACE
After years of planning and discussion, work starts on a new park in the Historic Los Rios District. The plans include a parking lot, passive fields, a restroom and a children’s play area.
BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE A BILLION?
Looking to consolidate separate toll-road operations, the Transportation Corridor Agencies asks the federal government for a billion-dollar loan.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARCO
Marco Forster Middle School celebrates its 40th anniversary.
WE’LL DO IT—YOU PAY
Frustrated by delays and watching project after project in SunCal’s portfolio go bankrupt, city officials announced they will use bonds posted by the developer to finish the Valle Road widening.
NOVEMBER
VOTERS SPEAK
Sam Allevato, an incumbent, and Laura Freese, a first-time candidate, are elected to City Council.
On the school board, Maddox and Palazzo are re-elected, along with Jack Brick and Mike Winsten. All seven trustees now in office were backed by the CUSD Recall Committee.
Voters approve a $30 million open-space bond and a new ordinance that requires voter approval before a land-use change to property designated open space in the General Plan.
GOODBYE, DR. FLEAS
Joe Cortese, a popular veterinarian, Rotarian and community volunteer, passes away.
WATER WELLS
The city takes over operation of the beleaguered, $25 million groundwater recovery plant. Residents with previous complaints praise the water quality and officials say they can increase production over expectations.
GO STALLIONS
The San Juan Hills High Stallions football team finishes 11-0. The cross country team qualifies for state finals.
COMMUNITY EMBRACE
The community turns out in force for Teresa Abel and her family, after her husband, Todd, dies of a sudden heart attack at 40. Teresa Able says it feels like the community put its arms around her and her kids.
DECEMBER
ALL BOOKED UP
The Capistrano Regional Library, designed by architect Michael Graves, turns 25.
GARDENGATE AGAIN
The California Native American Heritage Commission meets in Capistrano and hears about the Mission garden. Commissioners express dismay with the Mission and city.
LAWSUIT LOSS
The city loses more than $10 million in a lawsuit filed by two boys who were hit by a car crossing San Juan Creek Road on a mini-bike. Residents for years complained the area was unsafe. Insurance will pick up the bill.
ANOTHER LOSS
Dorothy J. Gaffney, a 52-year resident who raised six children, passes away. Her husband, Jerry Gaffney, was an early city leader.
CARTER STAYS
A rumor out of control, or secret intentions? Regardless, more than 250 people show up for an emotional Capistrano Unified School District meeting in defense of Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter, who, seemingly convinced his job was over, delivers an impassioned speech to start the meeting.
DEAD END FOR TOLL ROAD
The U.S. Department of Commerce rejects the toll road’s appeal for a key permit. If toll-road officials want to move forward with the current plan, the route is now through court.
TARTANS EARN TITLE
After breaking the county’s record with 42 straight victories, the Tartans of St. Margaret’s earn the state small-school title, beating Hamilton City’s team 59-7 before a televised audience.
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