DaVaro Deception, California Style: NO! ON SENATE BILL 551

NO! ON SENATE BILL 551



By Donie Vanitzian
Copyright Donie Vanitzian, BA JD

Coto de Caza , California
Homeowners do not have "stupid" written on their foreheads!
Stay out of our homes - Stay out of our wallets

Knock, Knock. · Who's There? · Fiscal. · Fiscal Who? · Fiscal Impact! Ha! Ha!

Readers should be aware that the "industries" are against Senate Bill 551 for completely different reasons than owners are. Owners have a vested interest in their property; industries doing business with associations do not.

Make no mistake, the vast majority of owners in common interest developments, are dissatisfied and disgusted with the lack of adequate disclosure laws upon purchase.

• WHAT'S WRONG WITH SENATE BILL 551? EVERYTHING.
* There is so much wrong with SB551 it is nearly impossible to set forth all the problems let alone hypothesize corrections or alternatives. One of the main problems with SB551 and the attendant Ombudsman statutes in California is: enforcing the enforcement that is impossible to enforce. You read that right. Irrespective of the bill's language using the word "enforcement" the bill has NO enforcement power in it. None. Nada. Nope. Zero. Zip.

* Through this bill and many others regarding common interest developments, the legislature has made buying, selling, owning, in such "communities" so expensive, that now only the rich can afford to stay because they can afford to pay. Presently, the majority of owners do not fully understand their rights in these developments because (a) they have no rights, and (b) the legislators keep taking what little rights that may exist, away.

• MISSES THE MARK ON WHAT OWNERS WANT AND NEED FOR "RELIEF"
* No amount of "education" can return the owners' rights to us. Only the laws can give us back our homestead rights, our due process rights, our equal protection rights and all other property rights that are taken from us with the recording of restrictions on our titles.

* Nothing will prevent or reduce the severity of problems within a common interest development as long as our legislators' doors are open to campaign contributions and influence by industries while simultaneously locking out constituents and their needs. The legislature has made the principle remedy for violations of common interest development real estate laws, "private litigation" using the mantra, "It's a civil matter." But then, on the other hand, as you will read below, our government takes even that away from us, forcing us into other lesser avenues of redress consisting of "side-courts."

• SB551 FAILS TO PENALIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Year after year, I ask the legislature to insert a provision in the Davis-Stirling Act to PENALIZE THE BOARD. Every legislative session, this is ignored.

• SB551 IS NOT EVEN A LAW -- IT IS A PILOT PROJECT! OWNERS ARE GUINEA PIGS FOR TESTING SB551 -- IT IS AT OUR EXPENSE AGAIN
This bill is only a "pilot project" that creates a bureaucracy for one purpose: collect data and money. Period. That's it. Read: "(e) The costs of the Common Interest Development Bureau Pilot Project shall be borne entirely by common interest development HOMEOWNERS, through imposition of a biennial fee. ... There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Common Interest Development Bureau, under the supervision and control of the Director of Consumer Affairs.... Commencing July 1, 2007, the Director of Consumer Affairs shall employ a Common Interest Development Bureau Chief and other officers and employees as necessary to discharge the requirements of this chapter."

• LACKS ENFORCEMENT ON SEVERAL FRONTS
There are issues regarding "enforcement." (1) Ask: Who is going to ENFORCE this so-called ENFORCEABLE FINE? The police? (2) Merely stating a bill has enforcement does not make it so, when read closely, there really is NO enforcement mandated in the bill. Owners will learn that all decisions by some clerk in that bureau are APPEALABLE TO THE SUPREME COURT. Here come the ass lawyers.

• NO PLACE TO FILE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE BUREAU
Ask: If the owner has a complaint against this bureau, "who" or "what" is the overseeing agency to take your complaint? Will there even be one? Did the legislators even think that far ahead?

• SENATE BILL 551 IS RIFE WITH LEGAL PROBLEMS
*There is not enough independent increased revenue to cover the increased expenses of such a "bureau" which is not really a bureau but instead a "bureaucracy." There are presently no funds available to launch this program.

There are not enough revenues early enough to cover front-end costs of this new public facility which is not entirely for the general "public" but instead meant only for one segment of the public, that is, those with residential deed-restricted titles. Where's the "equal protection" in that? This alone, immediately creates a negative cash flow.

There is not enough revenue available in the right places or for the right purpose that would be meant to fund this "bureaucracy." This also results in an inequitable distribution of the cost burden.

• HERE'S THE LEGISLATURE'S REASONS FOR FIRST CREATING THE OMBUDSMAN AND SECOND CREATING A BUREAU
By collecting empirical data on the nature and incidence of problems within common interest developments, the Common Interest Development Bureau provides a sound basis for prioritizing reform efforts, thereby increasing the stability of common interest development law."

• HERE WE GO AGAIN. NO DIFFERENT THAN CREATING ANOTHER HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION ONLY THIS TIME WITH A BIGGER BOARD AND MORE BOARDS
SB551 says: "The bureau shall adopt rules governing practices and procedures under this chapter. Any rule adopted under this subdivision is subject to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act."

• AND AGAIN.
SB551 says: It will "collect empirical data on the nature and incidence of problems within common interest developments, the Common Interest Development Bureau provides a sound basis for prioritizing reform efforts, thereby increasing the stability of common interest development law." THAT IS RIDICULOUS!

• AND AGAIN.
After wasting the owners' time and expending countless millions of dollars on "testing" grounds, the bill then states: "Information and advice provided by the bureau HAS NO BINDING LEGAL EFFECT and is not subject to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act."

• SB551 CREATES YET ANOTHER AGENCY JUST LIKE THE CALIFORNIA LAW REVISION COMMISSION
Anyone who has ever dealt with the ineptness of the California Law Revision Commission will loathe SB551. The bill says: "The bureau may convene an advisory committee to make recommendations on matters within the bureau's jurisdiction. A member of an advisory committee may receive per diem and expenses pursuant to Section 103 of the Business and Professions Code. In selecting the members of an advisory committee, the bureau shall ensure a fair representation of the interests involved. (f) The bureau shall not provide any service that relates to an activity of a licensed real estate professional that is governed by Part 2."

• SB551'S LEGAL EFFECT IS THAT IS TURNS OUT TO BE A CONVENIENT PARKING LOT FOR COMPLAINERS AND DISSIDENTS.
This bill sends complainers into the black hole for one reason: to shut them up and there are many ways to accomplish shutting up owners once this bureaucracy is created. The effect of being mired in more paperwork, more rules, more regulations, paralyzes the owner into the 30-60-90-120 day antics consisting of nothing more than "waiting games," all are meant to further silence owners by getting them stuck in a system that CAN'T HELP THEM.

• SB551 FAILS TO CREATE A VICTIM FUND FOR INJURED HOMEOWNERS.
If the legislature wanted to help homeowners, instead of funneling all the money they will make from this stupid bill into other agency departments and industry hopefuls, that money should be funneled back to the owners who generated it. It should be used to right the wrongs committed against owners, NOT, recycled back into the state's coffers where SB551 banks the takings.

• TITLEHOLDERS WANT PENALTIES AGAINST BOARDS, NOT THE ASSOCIATION.
Owners want to hold the board of directors, and/or individual directors liable and/or responsible for wrongdoing. SB551 does not do this. It doesn't even come close. Instead, it creates many escape hatches for boards to continue on as usual and all fines or penalties if any, the "association" pays.

• GET THESE DAMN HOMEOWNERS OFF MY BACK AND OUT OF MY OFFICE -- PASS A BILL -- "ANY" BILL!
Yes, that is what one government official told me. SB551 is nothing more than a convenient parking lot for complaining homeowners. It's a luxurious new jail. It ties us up in a tidy bow and cuffs our hands and rights so as to prevent any effective action. Remember, the homeowner must pay for the privilege of being prejudiced by this system.

• LEVIES FINES AGAINST ASSOCIATION?
This bill levies fines against the association. Guess who pays the fines? The titleholders.

• ASSOCIATION IS THE STATE'S COLLECTION AGENCY
The association once again is the collection agency for the state. Because the "association" is the collection agency for the state, the amount paid is considered to be an assessment against the owner's home which can then have a lien placed against it and be foreclosed upon to collect.

• ASK:
What's wrong with a bill that terms itself out on "January 1, 2012?" This is the first clue this bill was in trouble.

• "AMONG OTHER THINGS."
How can anyone express confidence in a bill that uses nebulous and unclear, language like that? What the hell is the LEGAL DEFINITION of "among other things?"

• NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
Watch all statute language using the word "REQUIRES." SB551 says: "Requires the bureau to offer training materials and courses to common interest development directors, officers, and owners, in subjects relevant to the operation of a common interest development and the rights and duties of an association or owner. The bill would require the bureau to maintain a toll-free telephone number and Internet Web site for purposes of further providing that information and assistance, and would require an association director or agent to meet certain requirements in that regard."

• REQUIREMENTS MEAN REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERS TO PAY AND FUND.
Now, not only will owners be responsible for funding their association's coffers, guess what? You will now be funding this porked up agency's coffers! The bill would REQUIRE the bureau, upon request and within the limits of its resources, to investigate and assist in resolving any dispute involving the law governing common interest developments or the governing documents of a common interest development. The bill would set forth applicable procedures for responding to the investigation request, serving a written citation and administrative fine on an association for violations of the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act and other laws governing common interest developments, administrative review of any citation issued, and enforcement of any order or fine contained in a citation. [don't hold your breath waiting for this to happen and don't wait for it to happen in a meaningful manner that is readily accessible, remember this bill makes owners using this fiasco to pay for everything they get from it]

•n PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO ALL THE OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WHO HAVE NOW GLOBBED ONTO THIS NEWLY CREATED CASH COW:
The bill would IMPOSE A BIENNIAL ASSOCIATION FEE on common interest development associations, payable upon filing specified information with the Secretary of State. The bill would require the Secretary of State to deposit the fee revenue in a NEWLY CREATED FUND [like a reserve slush fund!], the Fee Account of the Common Interest Development Bureau Fund, for the administration of these provisions upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would require the Secretary of State to develop a form [making a form is really HARD to DO!] for an association that is excused from paying the fee to certify that another association has paid the fee, as specified. The bill would PROVIDE THAT COSTS INCURRED by the Secretary of State pursuant to these provisions SHALL be REIMBURSED from the Common Interest Development Bureau Fund.

The term "SHALL" means there is no way around that, it is a MUST, it is non-negotiable.

• MORE REQUIREMENTS WRITTEN INTO SB551 TO BE REIMBURSED BY OWNERS FOR EVERY CENT SPENT -- AND CREATE A-N-O-T-H-E-R BANK ACCOUNT CALLED "PENALTY ACCOUNT"
But no one KNOWS where that money goes - read this double talk: "The bill would REQUIRE money paid to the bureau that is attributable to administrative fines imposed by the bureau, or cost recovery by the bureau from enforcement actions and case settlements, to be placed into the Penalty Account of the Common Interest Development Bureau Fund, for the administration of these provisions upon appropriation by the Legislature."

• SB551 IS FILLED WITH LOOPHOLES AND MONEY-RAISING PROVISIONS FOR THE BUREAU AND PROTECTIONS FOR INDUSTRIES
What's wrong with a statute that takes away the owner's right to sue in a court of law unless their request is first addressed by a letter requesting a 'resolution,' then agreeing to mediate or arbitrate, and then pay your own fees, with no guarantee of success one way or the other. That is the present Davis-Stirling Act. Did you think the Davis-Stirling Act was for homeowners? Think again. The longest and most comprehensive section in the Davis-Stirling Act is on "construction defects." Add to that, this part of SB551 wherein it states: "(iii) If applicable, the amount of funds received from either a compensatory damage award or settlement to an association from any person or entity for injuries to property, real or personal, arising out of ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DESIGN DEFECTS, and the expenditure or disposition of funds, including the amounts expended for the direct and indirect costs of repair of CONSTRUCTION OR DESIGN DEFECTS..." [how is it the construction defects lobby end up in every bill?]

• NO PENALTIES IN THIS BILL FOR INTERFERING OR AIDERS AND ABETTORS SUCH AS MANAGEMENT COMPANY OWNERS AND THEIR PERSONNELL
Why is it, that the interlopers who are responsible for much of the strife occurring in associations escape liability and penalties? You've read about many of them in the newspapers, they handle YOUR MONEY, they embezzle, defraud, get perks just for doing business with you, sabotage your living environment, cause you to end up in court, and the list goes on and on. Why do they escape liability?

• HOMEOWNERS GET ANOTHER DICTATOR ON THE PAYROLL
The Common Interest Development Bureau Chief shall have the powers delegated by the director.

• OWNERS MUST REIMBURSE THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
If you want to know the REAL purpose of this bill it is this: "Costs incurred by the Secretary of State pursuant to this chapter SHALL BE REIMBUSED FROM the Common Interest Development Bureau Fund." [the state now wants to generate income from the OWNERS]

• DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE YOU WILL EVER SEE THAT FINE!
Part of SB551 explains why you-the-owner will never be successful in implementing the fine:
"(a) An order or fine contained in a citation is not enforceable until one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) The order or fine is reviewed under Section 1380.340 and is upheld.
(2) The time to request review under Section 1380.340 passes without review being requested."

Now read this: "IF an association does not comply with an enforceable order or fine, the bureau may file an action in superior court to enforce the order or fine. IF, after a hearing, the court determines that the order or fine is enforceable under subd. (a), and that the association has not complied with the order or fine, the court shall issue a JUDGMENT enforcing the order or fine. The judgment is nonappealable and has the same force and effect as, and is subject to all the provisions of law relating to, a judgment in a civil action."

Ask yourself how the owner ends up in court to get a judgment that the law prevented from them from filing in court to begin with? Does that really make sense to you?

*The bureau may CHARGE A FEE FOR TRAINING MATERIALS... [that's a shock - training!]
*A toll-free telephone number (that owners fund)
*Shall maintain an Internet Web site (that owners fund)
*A description of the services provided by the bureau and information on how to contact the bureau for assistance. (imagine that! we get a description of their services!)
*An analysis, prepared each year, of legislative changes to common interest development law. (more b.s. that WE PAY for, create more paperwork)
*Any other information that the bureau determines would be useful to an association or owner. ("any other"...oh, ok, lets just keep it open ended so we can keep adding more b.s. to this bill)
*Information provided on the bureau's Internet Web ... the bureau may CHARGE A FEE for the purchase of printed material... (it just gets worse from here, but we all pay for it)
*Any person may request the bureau's assistance in resolving a dispute ... [just have to wait in a looooong line]
*On receipt of a request for assistance the bureau shall, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ITS RESOURCES ... assist BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT of the parties.
*IF the bureau receives a ...
*IF the complaint involves a ...
*IF it appears appropriate to ...
*IF the bureau determines, after investigation ...
*IF a violation cannot be remedied ...
*The citation MAY (but might not) include an administrative fine ... to be PAID BY THE ASSOCIATION TO THE BUREAU - NOT PAID TO THOSE HARMED BY THE VIOLATION.
*Within 30 days ...
*Within 50 days ...
*Within 90 days ...
*Within 120 days ...
*And we're back in court: A final decision reached after administrative review is subject to JUDICIAL REVIEW under the Government Code.

Take a close look at the language in this and the other bills, they are filled with contingencies: IF, MAY, MIGHT, BUT, EXCEPT. There's no teeth in this.




We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

The Orange County Sheriff Department is requesting the public’s assistance

The Coroner Division of the Orange County Sheriff Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a male victim who died in the City of Santa Ana on June 12, 2006. The deceased was a pedestrian struck by a train near Grand Avenue and Hunter Avenue.

The incident occurred on June 12, 2006, at approximately 2:59 p.m. He was a Hispanic male 20 – 30 years old, 5’5” tall and weighed about 140 lbs, with short black hair, brown eyes, and a goatee. He had a tattoo on his left upper arm of a woman sitting on a pair of dice and holding playing cards. He was wearing a pair of white boxers, white t-shirt type tank top, white socks, and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information on this person is encouraged to contact the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department, Coroner Investigations Division at (714) 647-7411 and reference case #06-03570-OS.






We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Grup City – Coto de Caza

...Of Peter Pan, Grups and Coto d Caza


As the Coto de Caza board of directors controlled by Varo/Mezger/Hill continue to handle public safety as a Tar Baby, it is only appropriate to consider a tag line for Coto de Caza once Varo/Mezger/Hill accomplish their goal of turning Coto into a City. The one that best describes the community is Grup City:

A Grup is, of course, someone who has failed to grow up. Intentionally. It is someone who has not just failed to put away childish things, but is happily tossing them around. Similar to the images conveyed by Michael Jackson’s Peter Pan, and perhaps to make it more appealing to the masses, New York magazine writer Adam Sternbergh came up with the term “Grup”: In Sternbergh’s words, a Grup “…. owns eleven pairs of sneakers, hasn’t worn anything but jeans in a year, and won’t shut up about the latest Death Cab for Cutie CD. But he is no kid. He is among the ascendant breed of grown-up who has redefined adulthood as we once knew it and killed off the generation gap”

Grup is taken from the Star Trek episode in which Captain Kirk and the crew land on a planet populated and run by children, without adults. The children call the crew “Grups”, a shortening of “grown-ups”. All the grown-ups have died from a virus that kills adults and also slows the ageing process.

A similar virus is now affecting Coto de Caza. You need only look around you. Here’s a really bad case of Gruppery: First the infamous Scott Dunlop’s Orange County Desperate Housewives, then an assault with a deadly weapon, followed by the illegal pairwise bicycle riding in rush hour traffic, and the number of CHP citations issued to those aged 50 years and older being the same as the ones issued to kids 17 years and younger. Since by definition, Grups, are those 40-year-olds and under who are pulling off not growing up, and could be the first generation in America to not be forced into adulthood, seems like Coto de Caza’s fascination with youth is pushing the age limit to 50 years+!

We challenge CotoBuzz readers to come up with a better suited name for the City of Coto than Coto the Caza, The Grup City!

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We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

COTO DE CAZA CHP TRAFFIC REPORT FOR MAY 2006

The May 2006 CHP statistics for Coto de Caza is consistent with the Coto de Caza board of director’s inaction with regards to public safety: These show an accident rate rapidly approaching the record-breaking 2005 that lead to the first traffic fatality within Coto de Caza in the last ten years.
An incoming board of directors has opined that in order to solve the public safety issue within Coto de Caza, it is necessary to make parents more responsible for their kids. The question is, how is the board of directors going to do this? Especially when the number of citations issued by the CHP between January and February 2006 for kids 17 and under is the same as the ones issued to those 50 years and older!
The May 2006 CHP report also shows that the number of accidents for Ladera Ranch for the month is the same as the one for Coto de Caza.

Age Breakdown Jan-06 Feb-06
Cits. Warns. Cits Warns.
17 years old and under 29 5 32 3
50 years old and older 29 5 25 2


COTO DE CAZA Ladera Ranch
1Q06 2004 2005
Total number of Citations 507 388 315
Total Arrests 8 4 4
Speeding 225 180 100

Average Citations per year 2028 388 315
Average Arrests per year 32 4 4


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We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Deliverance – the Coto de Caza District Delegate Committee Movie

In an incestuous move reminiscent of the movie Deliverance, Varo/Mezger/Hill, have done what they refused to do with Coto residents concerned with public safety: use association funds to promote their self-preservation:
As commissioned by the Coto de Caza board, the Deliverance committee chairperson is inviting district delegates and alternates to “ hold organizational meeting at the club and discuss additional topics (whatever we all decide to discuss; previous suggestions include the role of delegates under the Association CC&Rs and Bylaws; whether delegates can and should improve communications between the Board and Association members; the role, if any, of the Association in determining how best to address and plan for the potential relinquishment of control over unincorporated areas such as Coto by Orange County; whether anything can or should be done to encourage selection of delegates for this year for districts presently without delegates.)”
Hello, is anybody there? Has anybody heard about the laws that just went into effect to dissolve the most corrupt electoral delegate selection process? Delegates and alternates who participate in yet another Varo/Mezger/Hill ruse- the Deliverance Committee, are simply wasting association time and money and ultimately helping them further exposing the association to liability and possible bankruptcy.

We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

The silencing of the voice of the people- Coto Style

According to the American Homeowner Resource Center (AHRC.COM), “most homeowners have concluded that CAI foreclosure lawyers, managers, realtors and allied vendors are paying some politicians to pass laws or prevent passing laws that allow them to steal home equity and homes” – just witness what the Coto de Caza board of directors has done with respect to direct elections: First, they refuse to even acknowledge delegate proposals to remove use of cumulative voting and the most corrupt delegate system, then they blame “poorly managed associations” for the passage of law mandating direct elections, now before we know what the results are of the 2006-2007 board of directors elections, Varo/Mezger/Hill announce the board will not listen to the legislature nor the people AND keep the corrupt delegate system AND cumulative voting!

So, they (AHRC.COM)recommend that in order for concerned residents to be heard “and do not let the Goliath CAI industry with its well-heeled advocates win the day because homeowners did not speak up. Your home is a very special place for you and your family. Do not let CAI and its minions take it by default”:

Write. FAX and call California lawmakers to vote "Yes" SB 551(Lowenthal) and No on AB 770 (Mullin) - send copies to the media
• Write California Assembly Housing Committee
• Write California Senate Housing Committee


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We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Bicycle Safety Within Coto de Caza

During the June 8, 2006 Coto de Caza board meeting Yo Orduno described a public safety situation in the Summerfield district including a warning about an increase of rush hour cyclists in and around Vista Del Verde, some even riding pairwise making the early morning commute even more perilous. Varo stated that “there were many things that could be done” (none was mentioned an no action item was recorded). While Varo was willing to readily assign board members to the different committees, public safety turned out to be Coto’s Tar Baby
It should be pointed out that the California Vehicle Code states that contrary to the security consultant’s views, “ Bicycles riders (cyclists) on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers and are subject to the same rules and regulations as any other vehicle on the road” – this means it is illegal to ride two bicycles side-by-side!

Further, the CVC indicates:
· Most bicycle riding is done on roads and streets shared with motor vehicles. For your safety and the safety of others, obey the rules of the road as if you were driving a car -- stop at stop signs, red lights, and signals before turning or changing lanes.
· Always ride on the right side of the road. Stay in single file as far to the right as practical. It's both dangerous and illegal to ride on the left side of a two-way highway.
Responsible local governments, such as Irvine, Santa Ana and others have made it a priority to inform their residents of these rules and regulations and also enforce them. For example, the Santa Ana Bicycle Rider’s Rules are:
BICYCLE RIDER'S RULES

1. Keep your bicycle in good mechanical condition (tires, chain, brakes). 2. Obey all traffic rules and signs -- always give proper hand signals. 3. Walk your bike across busy intersections. 4. Always ride with the traffic - as close as possible to the right side of the road. 5. Be sure the roadway is clear before entering. 6. Always ride single file and watch for opening car doors. 7. Most bicycles are built to carry one person -- YOU! And you alone. 8. If you must ride your bike at night be sure your headlight and reflectors are in good condition. 9. Select the safest route to your destination and use it. Avoid busy streets and intersections. 10. Yield right of way to pedestrians. 11. Always wear a bicycle helmet.

So now the question is, who on the board will take an action items and respond positively to Yo Orduno, now that you know of the ongoing illegal activity?

RELATED STORIES:
First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, Standing Room Only! …and Coto de Caza’s Tar Baby
The first 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, can best be described as standing-room only, with the local media well represented. A political junkie would have felt right at home, as you could sense the excitement, the energy and the...
CotoBuzz May 2006 Newsletter
COTO DE CAZA CRIME AND VANDALISM REPORT - 1Q2006
For years, CotoBuzz has been working with local and state law enforcement agencies to develop public safety management tools for un-incorporated areas such as Coto de Caza. The Coto de Caza board of...
CotoBuzz June 2006 Newsletter
COTOBUZZ RELEASES CRIME & VANDALISM MANAGEMENT TOOL In its continued commitment to public safety, on June 1, 2006, CotoBuzz unveiled a Crime and Vandalism Management tool (see below for first installment), containing key metrics and a side-by-side...
BREAKING NEWS: COTO IS SAFER THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES:
The April 21 issue of the CanyonLife reports that “Fred Lisanti of Pacific Oak Security, security consultants to the ( Coto de Caza) board, presented a report indicating the official crime...



We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Coto de Caza - New Election Laws - Call for Candidates

Dear CZ Board Members:

In July, 2006 the new state law governing HOA elections will take effect. That means that shortly thereafter, the Board should send out information concerning the mechanisms the Board intends to implement in 2007 to comply with this law. I believe this law requires automatic revision of our governing documents to comply with the law as has occurred in the past when our governing documents conflicted with a new law. My hope is that our suppliers and the Board will not attempt to play games with this new law trying to retain our Delegate system, cumulative voting etc. when the law clearly requires direct popular elections for HOA's after July, 2006. If there are any games, I believe we should organize and raise money to go to court to get compliance. I certainly would be willing to start writing checks because I believe direct popular elections for CZ are critical. So, I would say that by no later than the end of September, we should have information from the CZ Board concerning implementation of this new law so we can begin to properly get ready for next year's election.



This e-mail is officially also a Call for Candidates to run against incumbents Varo/Mezger/Hill if they choose to run again in 2007. Mitch Hill should resign now given that he has missed so many Board Meetings. Joe Morabito



The Coto de Caza Government Paradox
California is the direct democracy capital of the nation. California uses the direct initiative process, which enables voters to bypass the Legislature and have an issue of concern put directly on the ballot for voter approval or rejection. There are two...





NEW COTO DE CAZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SALVATOR OR CONSERVATOR?THE RISE AND FALL OF THE VARO/MEZGER EMPIRE
ocham, Zipperman, you just won a seat on the Coto de Caza Board of Directors, what are you going to do now? In his book Values in a Time of Upheaval, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger asserts that a fundamental orientation in the modern conception of politics and...



First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, Standing Room Only! …and Coto de Caza’s Tar Baby
The first 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, can best be described as standing-room only, with the local media well represented. A political junkie would have felt right at home, as you could sense the excitement, the energy and the...


We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

SB 551 To Include Enforcement of Homeowner Association laws

SB 551 To Include Enforcement of Homeowner Association laws

The Coto de Caza Government Paradox
California is the direct democracy capital of the nation. California uses the direct initiative process, which enables voters to bypass the Legislature and have an issue of concern put directly on the ballot for voter approval or rejection. There are two...
HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION COMMUNITIES: DYNASTIES OF DYSFUNCTION…any semblance to Coto De Caza's Varo/Mezger Empire is purely coincidental
In centuries past, an emperor could decide the fate of an entire community with nothing more than a nod of his head. Some believe a similar system exists today, but instead of one emperor there are boards of emperors who on a whim can decide the fate of...
First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, Standing Room Only! …and Coto de Caza’s Tar
The first 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, can best be described as standing-room only, with the local media well represented. A political junkie would have felt right at home, as you could sense the excitement, the energy and the...
NEW COTO DE CAZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SALVATOR OR CONSERVATOR?THE RISE AND FALL OF THE VARO/MEZGER EMPIRE
ocham, Zipperman, you just won a seat on the Coto de Caza Board of Directors, what are you going to do now? In his book Values in a Time of Upheaval, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger asserts that a fundamental orientation in the modern conception of politics and...




We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

The Coto de Caza Government Paradox

The Coto de Caza Government Paradox

California is the direct democracy capital of the nation. California uses the direct initiative process, which enables voters to bypass the Legislature and have an issue of concern put directly on the ballot for voter approval or rejection. There are two types of initiatives that can be placed on the ballot: 1) statute revision, which requires signatures equal to five percent of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election, and 2) constitutional amendment, which requires signatures equal to eight percent of the Governor's total vote in the preceding gubernatorial election.

As a direct consequence of the direct democracy, Governor Grey Davies was recalled and replaced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

In a speech September 16, 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, through a spokesperson, asserted that "respect for the will of the people" compels him to veto the legislature's bill that attempts to recognize same-sex marriage for in-state residents. The Governor's reference to "the people" is apparently to Proposition 22, an initiative passed by California voters in 2000 that placed into the statute books the following single sentence: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
In attempts to get rid of the most corrupt delegate and cumulative voting systems in the Coto de Caza local government, we advanced a proposal, that was never even acknowledged by the Varo/Mezger/Hill board of directors. A few months later, the California legislature spoke, and god rid of the district delegate system and cumulative voting. Immediately industry lawyers got to work trying to find loops holes to maintain the status quo, and the Varo/Mezger/Hill decided to go along for the ride.
With arrogance and in a blatant attempt to squelch the voice of the people, the Varo/Mezger/Hill announced that Coto de Caza would continue with the delegate and cumulative voting system despite the recently enacted law – not even waiting to see the results of the 2006 board of directors election. Their worse case scenario was that regardless of the results of the election, they would still control the board 3-2 – ramming the status quo down the Coto resident’s throats!



We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Rhianna Six Month’s Anniversary; Mr. Manian’s Three Month’s Anniversary

June 13, 2006


It has been six months since Rhianna Woolsey died (December 7, 2005) in the first traffic fatality in Coto de Caza in the last ten years. Sadly, this week also marks the Three Month Anniversary of Mr. Morteza Manian’s death, as he was struck by a teen age female, while he was riding his bicycle southbound on Lexington Way approaching the intersection of North Hampton Place. Mr. Manian was transported to Mission Regional Hospital, and succumbed to his injuries in the late hours of 3/12/2006. The teen driver was eventually arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run and resisting and delaying or obstructing an officer.



What is even more tragic however is that public safety continues to be Coto de Caza’s Tar Bay, as evidenced by the proceedings of the First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors meeting – where the board president is readily willing to assign a board member to work on the sport’s park issue, but silent with regards to public safety.



For a dramatic display of the Coto de Caza board of director’s priorities, simply visit the association’s web site at www.czmaster.org - you can find the usual suspects, but conspicuously absent is any mention of a Public Safety Committee! – Not to mention that all Coto de Caza roads, with the exception of CDC drive, are not traffic patrol worthy, since he property manager conveniently “forgot” to re-certify, allegedly, because of a missing tickler file!





Coto de Caza :Committees as listed in the Official Association’s Website as of 06/13/06:



Aerobatic/Aviation Committee –Board Liaison: Bob Varo, Committee Members: Jeff Dawson, Steve Plochocki czmac@cox.net



Architectural Committee – Jeane O’Connor, Michelle Barnes, Janan Pisano, Maria Foulke. Management Support: Toni Mora at tmora@keystonepacific.com



Community Events / Coto C.A.N. – Chair: Marla Carlson, Board Liaison: George Thagard



Landscape & Trails – Co-Chairs: Ron Eger & Greg Metcalfe , Committee Members: John Bernards, Susan Bower, Tom Forbes. Management Support: Tracy Williams at twilliams@keystonepacific.com


Sports Complex – Chair: Larry Mount, Committee Members: Bob Grich, Bruce Warren

e-mail: larry@mount4.com


RELATED STORIES:

Second Coto de Caza Traffic Fatality In Three Months

Coto de Caza recorded its first traffic accident fatality in ten years in December of 2005. In less than three months, the second fatality has occurred.



Sunday 3-12-2006, at 1.30 pm, 75 year-old Morteza Manian was riding his bicycle southbound on Lexington Way approaching the intersection of North Hampton Place, while the 16 year old driver of a Nissan Frontier westbound on North Hampton Place approached the same intersection of Lexington Way. As the driver slowed down to stop, the right front corner of the Nissan struck the left side of Mr. Manian’s and the bicycle



Coto de Caza Teen Held Responsible for Second Traffic Fatality In Three Months Arrested and Charged

CHP Officer Chris Goodwin has confirmed that the Coto de Caza teen responsible for the second fatal traffic accident In less than three months, has been arrested and charged.



COTOBUZZ RELEASES CRIME & VANDALISM MANAGEMENT TOOL

In its continued commitment to public safety, on June 1, 2006, CotoBuzz unveiled a Crime and Vandalism Management tool (see below for first installment), containing ke y metrics and a side-by-side comparison between Coto de Caza and Ladera Ranch. “This is valuable information for our communities”, said Charles Gibson, President of the Ladera Ranch Public Safety Committee.

OFFICZE SUPPLIES & COTO’s CZENSE OBITUARY

When the current Coto de Caza board of directors first took office, Mitch Hill told the joke of a new executive who received three sequentially numbered envelopes from his predecessor and told to open these only when he had major problems and needed help.

Coto Dreamin'

We value the US Constitution, freedom, democracy, transparency, social capital, diversity, personal accountability and tolerance (tolerance, not acceptance) . We do not believe the Constitution should be turned On/Off at the gates or at the whim of the board or service providers, as if it was just another Coto transponder.



We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

DE CAZA's CZ MASTER ASSOCIATION INTENT TO PETITION TO RECALL MITCH HILL

COTO DE CAZA's CZ MASTER ASSOCIATION INTENT TO PETITION TO RECALL MITCH HILL

 
JUNE, 10 2006
 
 
Despite the many artificial road blocks created by the CZ Master Association Board of directors during the 2006 District Delegate Elections (including tampering with the election process, distributing wrong and misleading information, and using weapons of mass disinformation), and the election of the 2006 Board of Directors, there was enough community discernment, that incumbent George Thagard was defeated, and two independently –minded directors were appointed to the 2006-2007 CZ Master Association Board of Directors.  
If you attended the First 2006-2007 board of directors meeting, you realize that Public Safety is Coto de Caza’s Tar Baby. For Coto de Caza residents and delegates who care about public safety, it is imperative that Yocham and Zipperman have the tools to do the job they were elected and promised to do: Place public safety at the top of the list of the CZ Master Association Goals and Objectives for 2006-2007.  
By adding a minimum of a third independently minded director, you would have given Yocham and Zipperman such tools.
 
Therefore, we urge you to sign this petition and ask your district delegate to commit to vote for a recall of Mitch Hill (or VARO/MEZGER)
 
NAME              CZ DELEGATE YES/NO CONTACT/E-MAIL
 
__________________ ______________________ ________________
__________________ ______________________ ________________
__________________ ______________________ ________________
__________________ ______________________ ________________
__________________ ______________________ ________________
 
 
Please check all that apply:
 
RECALL
[ ] MITCH HILL
[ ] BOB VARO
[ ] JERRY MEZGER
[ ] NO RECALL
 
 
You can send your petition via email, fax or post to:
 
CotoBuzz
P.O. Box 154
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Fax/Voice:  (509) 355-8895
cotobuzz@yahoo.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, Standing Room Only! …and Coto de Caza’s Tar Baby
The first 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, can best be described as standing-room only, with the local media well represented.  A political junkie would have felt right at home, as you could sense the excitement, the energy and the...
NEW COTO DE CAZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SALVATOR OR CONSERVATOR?THE RISE AND FALL OF THE VARO/MEZGER EMPIRE
ocham, Zipperman, you just won a seat on the Coto de Caza Board of Directors, what are you going to do now? In his book Values in a Time of Upheaval, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger asserts that a fundamental orientation in the modern conception of politics and...

CotoBuzz May 2006 Newsletter
COTO DE CAZA CRIME AND VANDALISM REPORT - 1Q2006
For years, CotoBuzz has been working with local and state law enforcement agencies to develop public safety management tools for un-incorporated areas such as Coto de Caza. The Coto de Caza board of...

CotoBuzz June 2006 Newsletter
COTOBUZZ RELEASES CRIME & VANDALISM MANAGEMENT TOOL In its continued commitment to public safety, on June 1, 2006, CotoBuzz unveiled a Crime and Vandalism Management tool (see below for first installment), containing key metrics and a side-by-side...

BREAKING NEWS: COTO IS SAFER THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES:

The April 21 issue of the CanyonLife reports that “Fred Lisanti of Pacific Oak Security, security consultants to the ( Coto de Caza) board, presented a report indicating the official crime...


We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, Standing Room Only!

First 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, Standing Room Only!

…and Coto de Caza’s Tar Baby


The first 2006-2007 Coto de Caza Board of Directors Meeting, can best be described as standing-room only, with the local media well represented. A political junkie would have felt right at home, as you could sense the excitement, the energy and the tension in the air!. Failed candidate Dr. Betty Olsen thanked Yocham and Zipperman for their success and wished them the best.

There was a lengthy discussion about whether to authorize a particular group to use the Sports Park. The group volunteered to put down some “good faith money” and anything else that may be required. Varo suggested that at least one board member should meet with the Recreation Committee to come up with some sort of resolution.

The topic of water conservation came up, where new board member Zipperman would see the association spending over 10% of the yearly budget on re-piping, and then recovering the investment within a couple of years – not so fast, responded a landscaping committee member, since “we have been studying this issue for over two years”.

Yo Orduno described a public safety situation in the Summerfield district and requested the board’s help: Yo called Coto’s private security company right after last weekend’s accident. The response was “what do you want us to do”?. You eventually called the Sheriff’s office. The dispatchers told her that it was the CHP’s responsibility. She also described how routinely teenagers in the district race up and down the street. Some not old enough to have a driver’s license. Orduno has taken upon herself to contact the parent’s who do not see anything wrong with their kids driving “next door”. She also described an increase of rush hour cyclists in and around Vista Del Verde, some even riding pairwise making the early morning commute even more perilous. Varo stated that “there were many things that could be done”. The security consultant opined on the cyclists issue.

Zipperman argued that parents should take more responsibility for their kid’s actions. Ironic, given that a white Mercedes with personalized license plates with the name of a prominent Real Estate business almost runs down a motorist as he was speeding along Vista del Verde – to get to the Coto de Caza board of Directors Meeting! To top it off, a resident who “rode circles” at Orduno’s district park was also in attendance. Yo then wondered, (and so do we), how can you tell the adult from the kid?

To our recollection, very issue raised during the meeting seemed to have an owner- some sort of follow up. With the exception of public safety. Even the public safety committee is not fully constituted – a meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2006 with meeting place TBD – a big surprise given that we are already six months away from the first traffic fatality within Coto de Caza in 10 years ( and the second one just three months ago)! - the takeaway? Public Safety is Coto de Caza’s Tar Baby!





We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Marketing Orange County, CA – YoPro

The YoPro (Young Professionals) Event was held last night in Irvine. YoPro is a special interest section within the Orange County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (OC/PRSA).

The OC/PRSA’s claims that “ Three years ago, this great place we call home was simply known as Orange County” Now with the “..onset of several hit television shows, including Fox’s The OC, has quickly made Orange County the envy of most of the nation, and many folks throughout the County are capitalizing on our new-found fame”

Last night’s Yo-Pro event featured special guest-speaker Scott Dunlop, creator of the The Real Housewives of Orange County. Dunlop wowed the impressionable audience with his natural charm while claiming to be an expert in all-things Coto and to have single-handedly put Coto De Caza in the national consciousness. He thanked the Orange County Register and the LA Times for their help in promoting his latest project. From Dunlop’s perspective, no PR is bad PR! He also thanked the Coto de Caza board of directors.

However, he admitted that in general, Coto de Caza residents were extremely unhappy with the shallow, materialistic, hedonistic portrayal. His advice to the audience: If you want to be successful in this business, you must check your morals at the door. When he was challenged by a young, intelligent Coto de Caza resident unhappy with Dunlop’s work, the audience erupted – clearly these young impressionable YoPro’s are indeed professionals and were not buying Dunlop’s main Fish course – even though the event was held at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Pilsner Patio


RELATED STORIES:
Coto (Coto de Caza, CA) Dreamin
Your message below is very useful to illustrate the contrast between our vision for Coto de Caza and what we have been getting from the Robert Varo & Jerry Mezger board for the last two years


Lawless, Clueless Coto de Caza
Last night, December 12, 2006, the CZ homeowner’s association board of directors held their regularly scheduled open session meeting. Present were representatives from the LA Times and Freedom Communications.

Lawless, Values-less, Spiritual-less Coto de Caza
When we first moved to Coto de Caza over 12 years ago, we really thought there was No Place Like Coto. Shortly thereafter CNN/Money discovered Coto as well and included it in their list of One of the Best Places to Live/Best Places to Retire.



We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

WE KNOW HOW THE BOOK ENDS: RECALL MITCH HILL

Congratulations to all Coto District Delegates, in the words of George Thagard as reported by the Orange County Register June 2, 2006 “ Change is good. It is absolutely fine with me. I think that if educated people are given the same information as me, they will make the same decisions I would have”.

So despite all the weapons of mis-disinformation and the artificial roadblocks created by the current board to manipulate the results of the election – the board failed miserably. The 2006-2007 Coto District delegates were able to read between the lines and made the right decision.

However, we know how the story ends: We have seen it many times. Those who have promoted public safety as the number one Coto issue, are either black-balled or simply out-voted by Varo/Mezger/Hilll. Consider that for over five years, we have been promoting the notion that in order to manage public safety one needs management tools.
As recent as Lyle’ appointment to the board vacated by Sean Larkin, he felt the current board was doing a fine job, and he attributed the traffic problems to Coto Soccer Moms. Now, Lyle thinks the private security services Coto residents are paying for is a waste of money, and simply “a pretty face”!. According to the OCR, Lyle now knows that 16-2 0 “..year olds received the most citations for speeding or not stopping at stops signs within Coto”. We should point out to Lyle that according to CHP data, Coto residents in the age group of 40-50 years of age, get just as any citations as the 16-20 old kids – an now a commercial: Just like the board seems to have adopted the CHP report as a management tools, we urge them to use the CotoBuzz commissioned Sheriff’s management tools.
And the point is? The point is that if you take any position that does not further Varo/Mezger’s personal goals, you are not going to be listened to. We can point to Sean Larkin’s resignation as an example. Then there is the blatant firing of the safety committee chairperson, replaced by a highly paid security consultant and a group of non-home owners.
So how does the story end? Initially Yocham and Zipperman come in very exited about the possibilities. They try to be different. They use collaboration, rather than confrontation (the approach CotoBuzz has preached since inception). They use an accommodating and compromising conflict resolution approach, as they want to be constructionists. The problem is that Varo/Mezger continue pursuing their personal agendas. Yocham and Zipperman become vocal and frustrated. When, major decisions need to be made, Mitch Hill shows up to cast the deciding vote in favor of Var/Mezger, and Yocham and Zipperman resign.
Note: It has been previously estimated that “Mitch Hill has missed 25% of CZ Board Meetings, and an even higher percentage of more critical Executive Session Meetings
So, if educated district delegates do not want to see the story end as we have predicted, you may just want to consider a Recall Mitch Hill effort!


From: Morabito,
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:09 PM
Subject: CZ - Mitch Hill - AWOL
Hello All: When an employee misses 25% of work and long before unless for serious illness, the employee is fired. When a student misses 25% of classes, the student will receive a failing grade and/or be dropped from the class. When a soldier is AWOL, the soldier will be court marshaled and end up in jail and/or dishonorably discharged. Mitch Hill has missed 25% if CZ Board Meetings, including another one last week, and an even higher percentage of more critical Executive Session Meetings. Since he can't or won't attend most CZ Board Meetings, Mitch should do the honorable thing and Resign. If Mitch Hill does not resign, CZ Delegates, you need to do your job for the good of all CZ Members and Recall Mitch Hill from office. Joe Morabito
P.S. Sean Larkin missed 59% of CZ Board Meetings before leaving the area and the Board. Let us hope that is not the service standard we have established for serving as a CZ Board Member.

COTO DE CAZA- SecurityAreNotUs

From: Bob
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 22:38:43 EDT

In today's Canyon Life, there was an article about Lyle Schlieder's leaving the BOD. Lyle was quoted as follows: "There are no patrols anymore. I am not sure if what we are dealing with is just a pretty face at the gate that we pay a lot of money for." So is that the "compelling offer" that the BOD received from UPS? Is this what security in Coto de Caza has been reduced to? If a member of the BOD does not know what is going on with the security company in Coto, then who does?
Friday, June 2 at 5:30 PM, the line to get into Coto at the west gate was backed-up to Antonio. After finally getting to the gate, I saw that the pole for the left gate was lying on the ground, the middle gate was blocked off and the pole for the middle gate was lying on the ground, and the only gate open for residents with transponders to go through was the right gate which is the slowest gate we have. There was a gate attendant doing the usual job of getting visitors through the left gate, but nobody attending to the center lane and the right lane. Has the staff of UPS been reduced so greatly that there is no one to come out of the guard house and try to get residents in, or do UPS employees just not know how to function in out-of-the ordinary situations?
So Mr. Varo and Mr. Klug, I must ask you once again, where is the over $1.5 million dollars budgeted for security going? Is anybody on the BOD or in Keystone monitoring the continuing lack of security in Coto? Is it true that a security consultant been hired for Coto, or is this just another rumor, and if so, what has he contributed to betterment of Coto de Caza? Why are the CC&Rs not being enforced in Coto any more, ie. on the street parking, trash dumpsters allowed to be left on the street and not in driveways, business signs placed along major Coto streets? We do not want the standards upon which Coto de Caza was built to be ignored. We do not want our property values to decline because of poor service, lack of security or lack of enforcement! If either of you are not aware of what is going on here and since both of you have refused to walk around Coto and see what I see while walking in Coto, I will offer to gladly drive both of you around Coto and show you the lack of enforcement.
I eagerly await your response.
Hi Bob:

Hi Bob:

First, we applaud Lyle for stepping down - it was the right thing to do, since it has been obvious that the board did not listen to a thing Lyle had to say.

The same line you cite caught our eye- particularly since when Lyle was appointed to the board, he endorsed the change from Securitas to UPS, and endorsed the board’s stance with regards to public safety, as "going in the right direction..". He in fact blamed traffic accidents as mostly due to soccer moms – all this also reported by the OCR.

At that time we asked Lyle whether he had been involved in due diligence in the hiring of UPS, but he never responded.

More recently we asked the board to re-direct UPS to become more active, since the mandate from the board to UPS has been to keep a low profile. Predictably, no one from Keystone or UPS responded.

So, if Lyle did not agree with the mandate to UPS, why did he not mention this during board meetings? Why did he not mention this to anyone else?

This is the reason why we are starting a move to recall Mitch Hill: Even though there will be substantive changes with the addition of Yocham and Zipperman to the board, they will at best be dead-locked since Hill rarely attends board meetings. The worse case scenario is that Zipperman and Yocahm will not agree with the board, but Hill will be able to cast the deciding vote!




We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

More Varo's Compelling Offers and Programs – Slurry this time

Well, the ink is not even dry yet on the agreement for road work that was to have started in days. Instead, the Orange County Register today (Friday, June 02, 2006) reports that “ According to C. J. Klug, property manager for the CZ Master Association, the contractor will not be able to start until August 1”- My, my, what a surprise!



Just a few days ago, former Coto de Caza board member Joe Morabito made a compelling argument for the board to go out and bid property management services (see below). Our response in part was……” On the other hand, the June 2006 President's letter does mention that the association went out to get several bids for slurry services. The last time we heard this, we got a compelling offer and program by firing Securitas and replacing them with UPS - so perhaps we do need to audit that bidding process as well - not that we do not trust the board nor Keystone, but we do not trust Keystone!”



Our words turned to be prophetic, again! We still want to audit this slurry bid process!


We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts

Ladera Ranch- Coto Crime and Vandalism Report.

Ladera Ranch- Coto Crime and Vandalism Report.

As previously promised, CotoBuzz see below for the first installment of a side-by-side comparison of crime and vandalism for Coto de Caza and Ladera Ranch. Criminal incidents on a per-capita basis seem to be too close to call. Whereas the non-criminal incident prize goes to Ladera.


The Ladera Ranch Public Safety Committee thinks this crime/vandalism prevention tool is invaluable. We tend to agree with them!



We do not make jokes, we simply watch the Coto de Caza Board of directors, the LA Trash and the Orange Crud Repository and report the facts