The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

Brenda Ross and Milt Robbins, incumbent City Council members won another term yesterday and Bob/Margo Boeur was replaced with Marty Rhodes; one down. It’ll be business as usual in City Hall. Council will continue to spend money in order to get matching funds—despite a lack of need to spend it. Brenda Ross seems to spend all her time doing nothing but finding grants and paying no attention to any other issue. Why not, she’s good at finding matching funds and it keeps her happy until it’s her turn to be mayor again. Keep her happy and she’ll vote with the boys. She’s unlikely to be an impediment to the good old boys who want to push forward the PCM/GRF plan to develop any and all open spaces in Laguna Woods Village. Just how many more San Sebastian projects do you think we can have built here? Robbins and Rhodes would like to fill every nook and cranny with high density housing. They were, after all, two of the cogs in the PCM/GRF machine that sold the land for the administration building and changed the name of the community from Leisure World to Laguna Woods Village costing residents millions.

The City would like to pretend it is completely separate from LWVillage but with the cycle of board members moving from GRF to City Council they become forever intertwined and engaged. There has been an ongoing struggle to rid the community of the self interested board members and management company.

To listen to Joseph Heller, outgoing member of the GRF Board, one would think that the dissention and strife only started about a year ago. He made it very clear at the GRF Board meeting on November 4 that last year was a misery for him. But in a paper authored by Rhodes in 1999 the struggle to have the power returned to the residents/members of LWV has been going on for quite some time. Rhodes wrote in a position paper of the Residents (sic) Reform Committee on July 16, 1999, “It is time for a change in the management contract hopefully voluntarily entered into by PCM. If there is no voluntary revision and necessary changes then it will behoove GRF to invoke (the termination clause) of said management contract.

“The time for change back to the protection and benefit of resident owners is NOW!!!!!!”

When Rhodes was asked by Stan Feldstein, assassinated Third board President at a recent candidate forum, “When did you change your opinion and why? If you still hold the same opinion, why do you not speak out?” His reply was he could not remember ever having said anything about changing the management contract.

Milt Robbins in undated campaign material from a race for the Third Mutual Board before he became a member of GRF and then the City Council said “We are committed to making an operational audit an immediate reality.” And, “We are committed to providing you with the information you need in order to evaluate proposals and actions of your boards and to receiving your input. VOTE TO MAKE LIESURE WORLD A WELL-MANAGED AND FRIENDLIER COMMUNITY!” Also, “Vote No on secrecy. Vote yes on Accountability.” His goals as a director included: “Operational Review Committee audits. No Secrecy. Keep residents informed. Open meetings and open decisions. Using the input and talents of residents. Control expenses, keep monthly fees down.”

Both men changed their positions dramatically as they became board members. They became major players in the PCM/GRF agenda.

Robbins has stated categorically and with vigor that GRF OWNS the land rather than holding it in trust. He made statements to that effect at two Save Open Spaces (LWV) meet the candidates meetings. The first time it was with a dismissive tone and the second time it was a very strong statement.

A lawsuit that led to the change of names from Leisure World to Laguna Woods Village was driven by Rhodes. There was never a vote on the name change and according to some sources the reason for the Cortese law suit was because PCM was using the Leisure World name (and initials, etc.) outside the community to make income. The name had been given to the community to be used forever without charge. But, when PCM Corporate/PCM Realty began using the name it violated the agreement. Thus, it seems, PCM’s need for financial gain out-weighed the need to protect the community and its name.

The sale of the old administration building and the land it sat on was part of Milt Robbins’ history as GRF board member and City Council member. Both men have been involved in the UAC plan for the open spaces remaining within LWV.

It seems they are now perfectly situated to push forward with the sell-and-develop plans PCM has already demonstrated its desire to accomplish.

The city council recognizes the fiasco that the redevelopment of the San Sebastian is, the city recognizes how unhappy residents are, the city recognizes, the gross unpopularity of the eyesore, how inappropriate it is in its location/setting but they refuse to accept any responsibility saying “nobody protested.” Apparently Milt Robbins and other council members were unable to determine what was OBVIOUS to the residents….that this whole redevelopment was a monstrosity. They exercised their power but not any intelligence.

A respondent to the Red County blog “Running Scared” and obvious city hall insider said, “Yes all, I too hope some SOS or independent candidate makes the city council….that that I think the current group has done a horrible job this last 10 years, but it is time for some diversity in thought. There is no evidence of Robbins or Rhodes having an original thought since the 1999 election. I guess the City Insider can’t expect to find it after this election either.

It is sadly amazing that the same residents who were appalled by the San Sebastian cannot make the jump in reasoning to relate former GRF board members and their agenda and the impact they will have on City Hall.

A few questions to ponder in Laguna Woods: Who makes city policy? Does the City Manager set policy or does City Council. Does the City Manager carry out policy set by City Council? If City Council sets policy, then the presence of so many former GRF board members could strongly suggest that directly or indirectly PCM is setting City policy through the former directors. Just as the boards have ignored the welfare of the residents in favor of PCM’s priorities, former board members can be expected to do the same on the City Council.

Business as usual. Exponential expansion. The boys are back. It’s time for some diversity in thought.

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Reflections on the Laguna Woods City Council Elections