May 13, 2022

MAY 13-26, 2022 | VOLUME 20, ISSUE 9

INSIDE: Primary Election Guide: Meet the Candidates Q&A

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 9

Editor’s Pick: Bike Safety Seminar GETTING OUT/PAGE 20

Falling Short

Capistrano Unified School District Faces Underfunding from the State E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 3

Capistrano Unified School District officials are advocating for the state to raise base grant funding for all school districts in California. Photo: Courtesy of Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

thecapistranodispatch.com

Local Group Sues City over Skatepark Project

Congressman Levin Visits Shea Center

Publisher’s Letter: An Update on Fred Swegles

EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 4

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 7

SOAPBOX/PAGE 18

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13–26, 2022

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

What’s Up With...

with what is perceived to be a lack of enough funding. CUSD spokesperson Ryan Burris said underfunding is an issue that district officials have discussed with the community for almost a decade after a state formula was introduced in 2013 called the Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF, for short.

The funding shortfall impacts the district’s facility needs, because school campuses and buildings are continuing to age and continually cost more to upgrade as years go by—a need for which the state provides little funding, Burris said. The district has attempted to place bonds on election ballots over the years in an attempt to secure funding for facility upgrades, but the bond measures were not approved by enough voters.

CUSD is currently considering whether to seek another bond measure for Dana Hills High School. CUSD officials recently heard the results of a public opinion survey on the matter, saying they have a “hill to climb” in terms of securing enough voter support.

The state provides the majority of funding for school districts in California. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, a base amount of funding is provided based on a district’s average daily attendance, with extra funding then provided for highneed students such as the economically disadvantaged, English learners, or foster youth.

CUSD receives less funding than neighboring school districts—such as

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Capo Unified Contends with Lack of Adequate Funding

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The tubas used by music students in San Clemente High School’s marching band are 20 to 25 years old, according to music teacher Tony Soto.

The musical education department at San Clemente High does aim to purchase new instruments for students to use, but it has to rely on fundraisers and donations to do so. Recent federal relief funding the Capistrano Unified School District received as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, partly went to purchasing much-needed new instruments.

“Whenever we have our booster meetings—because we have to raise our own funds—one of the mantras we’ve got accustomed to saying is the school district pays for pretty much two things: my salary and the lights to be on,” Soto said. “Everything else in terms of instruments, uniforms, coaches, we have to do the fundraising for that.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the

school’s music department held about four big fundraisers a year. Now, that number is down to just two because of less participation from parents— though it’s hoped the frequency of regular fundraisers will shoot back up in the near future.

“We’re doing things like selling candy,” Soto said. “We’re fortunate enough to host marching band competitions for the past couple of years, which brings in a nice chunk of money. Without that, we would be at a loss.”

San Clemente High’s music program generally needs about $80,000 to $90,000 to operate in a normal school year to fund coaches, trips, and replenishing old instruments. Soto and other musical instructors typically handle instrument maintenance themselves.

“At the beginning of the school year, we ask parents to help out in terms of giving a donation,” Soto said. “The way we would use (more funding), No. 1 would probably be to replenish our instruments and maybe upkeep the repairs. A lot of people don’t know a tuba, for instance, can cost anywhere from $400 to $600 a year to keep up with its maintenance.”

Those struggles are reflective of challenges CUSD faces as a whole

The Capistrano Unified School District has received less money per student than the neighboring Santa Ana Unified School District. CUSD officials are advocating for the state to raise base grant funding for all districts in California. Graphic: Chelsie Rex

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

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the Santa Ana Unified School District— because CUSD has fewer disadvantaged students, Burris said.

A look at data available on ed-data.org, which tracks financial and other statistics for school districts, shows CUSD has received less money per student than Santa Ana Unified. In terms of total funding dollars per student (which includes revenue from the federal government and other sources, in addition to state funding), in the 2020-21 school year, CUSD received $12,701 and Santa Ana Unified received $17,252. In the 2019-20 school year, CUSD received $11,654 and Santa Ana Unified received $15,353. As for the 2018-19 school year, CUSD received $11,447 and Santa Ana Unified $15,003.

As a result, CUSD officials and staff are engaging in a campaign called “Raise the Base” intended to raise awareness of the underfunding problem and advocating for the state to raise base grant funding for all school districts in California. Raising base funding would not raise taxes.

The CUSD Board of Trustees recently approved a resolution brought forth at an April 20 meeting that directs Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte to communicate the Raise the Base message to the public—and encouraging parent and community support for California Assembly Bill 1614, which also supports more educational base funding.

AB 1614, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), was introduced in January of this year and intends to increase base grants from the state “in order to achieve specified educational goals,” according to the bill’s language. The legislation was last re-referred to an educational committee on April 19, but otherwise it has not significantly moved forward.

Additional money could allow CUSD to reduce class size, keep physical education teachers in elementary school, and expand the number of counselors and general social and emotional support services available for students, Burris said.

More educational funding could also help out with San Clemente High’s musical coaching for various programs, Soto said.

“We not only do band, but we do orchestra. We have jazz band. We also have color guard. We have drum line,” Soto said. “We have all of these specialty programs, which would need specialty coaches that would come in. We’ve been fortunate enough to have one string coach and one percussion coach throughout the year, but typically, with other competitive high school programs, on their staff, there’s usually about six to seven people coming in on a weekly basis.” thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Local Group Sues City Over Skatepark Project

to voter-imposed restrictions on such development and the funds used to acquire the site,” the court filing said.

“In particular, petitioner seeks to invalidate the approvals with respect to the project on the grounds that city has violated CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and/or other applicable laws and further seeks to invalidate city’s illegal authorization of Kinoshita Farm’s development,” the court filing said.

Nash, who served as mayor in 1995, wrote an editorial published in The Capistrano Dispatch in March 2020 expressing opposition to development of the property.

The residents of San Juan Capistrano own

the farm, because residents voted in 1990 to give the city $21 million of their property taxes over 20 years to buy the Kinoshita Farm—and, thus, the city is “supposed to be caretaker of the Farm and preserve it permanently for all of us and for future generations,” Nash wrote at the time.

“We bought the farm. We bought this property to forever save the farmland, to preserve open space for us in 1990, and now, for you, and for future San Juan residents,” Nash said in the editorial. “We bought the farm to preserve it, not to save it for development 30 years later!”

No hearing has currently been set for the lawsuit.

Current San Juan Capistrano Mayor Derek Reeve briefly addressed the skatepark project during the May 3 meeting after a resident brought it up, saying the city is committed to moving forward with the park’s construction.

“We’re going to keep discussing this on our end and taking the most prudent route that ensures that we get a skatepark,” Reeve said.

City leaders and residents have said the skatepark will be a valuable addition for the community, providing local kids an area where they can safely have fun.

The City Council approved rezoning measures during an April 5 meeting that was essentially the last regulatory step in moving plans forward for the skatepark.

“The proposed project would include a 20,000-square-foot, all-wheel skatepark area with skate elements designed primarily for beginning-to-intermediate skill levels, along with a playground structure, restroom building, seating, landscaping, drinking fountain, fencing, trash receptacles and pedestrian access to Camino Del Avion and the City’s adjacent Sports Park fields,” an agenda report from the April 5 meeting said.

The agenda report also said San Juan Capistrano community members have wanted a skatepark for “over a decade.”

During a presentation on the city’s capital projects at the May 3 meeting, Public Works Director Tom Toman said the skatepark project is in the “final, final stages” and expected to go out to bid soon for construction. City officials previously estimated the project could be finished by this winter.

ditures are estimated at $34 million.

Police services make up most of the General Fund operating budget, which also funds the public works department and government services. Specifically, for the proposed upcoming budget, staff recommends allocating $1.5 million from salestax revenue to fund the upcoming new City Hall, which will be built at the current City Hall site and also include affordable housing for at-risk individuals on the property.

The city’s favorable fiscal state was attributed to several factors, including the City Council cutting down annual expenditures in June 2020 and increased tax revenue in recent times. Property taxes make up most of the city’s revenue sources, which also come from sales taxes and restaurants. The numerous car dealerships in San Juan were also said to be a big factor in the local economy.

“The property-tax revenues fund 39% of the General Fund budget, and sales taxes fund 32%,” City Finance Director Ken Al-Imam said. “There’s been a moderate increase in property-tax revenue to the General Fund in the city over the past eight years.”

Sales-tax revenue has “jumped effectively by $2 million” over time—an upward trend that is expected to continue, Al-Imam said.

Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart asked how the economic leap was possible, given it happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is a little bit of a lag between commerce and sales tax receding. It’s about three months,” Al-Imam said.“The most significant financial impacts of COVID on our local businesses, including the car dealerships, impacted our local economic community in Fiscal Year 2020.”

“We were very fortunate. Our sales tax consultants were amazed at how quickly our car dealerships rebounded from the COVID-19 impacts,” Al-Imam continued.“I think we just have a great portfolio of car dealerships in the city that provide a great product for the entire South County area.”

Online business sales also contributed to economic growth, Al-Imam said.

“The proposed budget for the coming fiscal year is appropriately conservative, and recognizes that there are several economic and market risks that are far beyond the city’s control,” Siegel said. “To hedge against those risks, we

are proposing to continue to grow the city’s reserves—which are already very healthy, but as we know, with increasing interest rates and other uncertainty, we think it’s prudent to continue to increase the city’s General Fund reserves.”

As part of the general discussion on funding and city projects, staff also discussed upcoming plans to improve streets in San Juan—including major roadways used by drivers, such as Camino Capistrano from Dana Point to Laguna Niguel, as well as residential streets. Estimated costs for overall street work, which will span the coming years, is more than $43 million.

The city is looking at improving streets such as Camino Del Avion, San Juan Creek Road and Camino Las Ramblas in future fiscal cycles. Street conditions are said to have deteriorated over time because of neglected maintenance, due to unavailable funds. Recent federal funding provided due to the pandemic is going toward the improvements.

Improvements will first be made on Camino Capistrano during the upcoming year.

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Plans for San Juan Capistrano’s first skatepark have been mostly well-received in the community, but not everyone supports the project.

Preserve Our Farm SJC, a nonprofit, recently filed a lawsuit against the City of San Juan Capistrano in opposition to the project. The lawsuit—which was filed in Orange County Superior Court in late April—alleges the city did not conduct a proper environmental review in regard to the skatepark, which the city plans to build near The Ecology Center.

Former SJC Mayor Carolyn Nash is listed as an officer and member of Preserve Our Farm SJC. Nash had not responded to requests for comment about the lawsuit, as of press time. Other members of the nonprofit are not named in the filing.

The San Juan Capistrano City Council discussed the matter in an executive session closed to the public during a meeting on May 3, but no action was reported afterward.

“Undoubtedly, the lawsuit will add cost and delay the project,” City Manager Ben Siegel said in an email in response to questions about the lawsuit before the meeting.

Preserve Our Farm SJC opposes the project and challenges actions taken by the city for it “and further challenges city’s illegal authorization of the development of Kinoshita Farm contrary

City Outlines Optimistic Financial Forecast for Upcoming Fiscal Year

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Two years after the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to concerns about the economic vitality of San Juan Capistrano and the world, the South Orange County city looks to be in good fiscal shape.

City staff presented a draft city budget to the City Council during a meeting on May 3 that essentially signaled the city is financially strong. In particular, the city is expected to have a $3.6 million surplus for Fiscal Year 2022-23.

The council is expected to approve a final budget for the upcoming fiscal year in June.

City Manager Ben Siegel said operating revenues “significantly” outpace expenditures, and the city has a “sustainable framework” for the near- and mid-term planning horizon. The projected revenue for FY 2022-23 is $37 million, while expenThe Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

Dozens of skateboarders throughout South Orange County participate in the Spring 2019 Skate Jam at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. A lawsuit filed by Preserve Our Farm SJC is attempting to stop San Juan Capistrano’s first skatepark from being built. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

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The Capistrano Dispatch May 13–26, 2022

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett Discusses Housing, Public Safety with Fifth District Residents

years under a long-term lease agreement.

“This is a great example of the county working with the private sector … letting government do what it does best—keeping government small, efficient, accountable, and transparent—and letting the private sector (use their) expertise to put forth great projects,” she said.

“They’ve got the ability to do things a lot quicker,” Bartlett continued. “This is a

$400 million project. When I got elected, I said, how are we going to pay for this project? The county doesn’t build boat docks. We decided the best thing to do is to bring in that private sector partner.”

A three-tiered parking structure for the area should open in the near future, Bartlett said.

Bartlett further touched on public safety, particularly with regard to fentanyl abuse and law enforcement. The county supported the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s request for bodyworn cameras, Bartlett said.

“We allocated about $14 million— most of that was in a grant—for bodyworn cameras,” she said. “I’m confident this technology will help improve the interactions between our deputy sheriffs and the public, and capture evidentiary outcomes.”

As for fentanyl, Bartlett said abuse of the drug is a public health risk.

“When you take a look at what’s happening in our communities, the numbers and percentages are really staggering.

From 2016 to 2020, fentanyl-related deaths in Orange County increased 1,110% and statewide, they increased 1,600%,” she said.

“From 2017 to 2020, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department seized over 388 pounds of fentanyl, which potentially contained 88 million lethal doses and had a total street value of $43 million.”

The county is devoting resources to address fentanyl abuse and raise public awareness on the issue, Bartlett said.

Drug dealers who sell or distribute drugs should get harsher penalties when drug users die, including being charged for murder, she said.

Where sexually violent predators are

allowed to live was another topic brought up by Bartlett. The Orange County Board of Supervisors supported a proposal that Bartlett brought forth against placing sexually violent predators in Orange County, defining such predators as those who have been convicted of a sexually violent offense and who have also been diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes them a threat to others and likely to be sexually violent.

“Currently, the state has the sole authority to place sexually violent predators in communities, and the burden is then placed on counties to—if needed—locate secure housing for these individuals that have been convicted of a sexually violent crime,” Bartlett explained.

“Law enforcement is provided notice, but here’s the issue … no provision is made for counties to participate in the placement process or to object to the state’s plans for placement,” she added.

“Local jurisdictions really should have the opportunity to weigh in on this process.”

No sexually violent predators have currently been placed in Orange County, though some have been placed in San Diego County, she said.

Bartlett, a Republican, is serving her last term on the Orange County Board of Supervisors because of term limits. She is currently running in the 49th Congressional District race against Democratic incumbent Mike Levin and other challengers, including former San Juan Councilmember Brian Maryott, Josiah O’Neil, Christopher Rodriguez, Renee Taylor, and Nadia Bahia Smalley.

The Primary Election for the Congressional race will be held on June 7.

as part of a broader study effort encompassing a proposed 7.3-acre specific plan area that would have included three private parcels and nine city-owned parcels, Almquist recently withdrew that request and instead asked the city to initiate a new General Plan amendment, code amendment and rezone study for the creation of a smaller 1.68-acre specific plan area that was approved on May 3, according to an agenda report. The new area includes four city-owned parcels.

The rezoning creates a zoning area that is particular to the area in question. Frontier Real Estate Investments was selected to enter into exclusive negotiations with the city for development of the property in October 2017 by the City Council.

“The proposed Specific Plan would facilitate the development of a commercial project on the 1.68-acre City-owned property consisting of two, 2-story buildings with approximately 27,457 square feet of retail, restaurant and office uses, and a 4-story parking structure with a 2,607 square-foot retail space,” the agen-

da report said.

Access to the site would be only from El Camino Real, said David Contreras— the city’s principal planner—during a project presentation to the council. The proposed project would require the demolition of the current Camino Real Playhouse building.

“It is our goal to construct a project that will enhance the community as well as provide important parking solutions to this region of the city,” Almquist said in a letter sent to the city on April 22. “The development team is comprised of key members of Frontier Real Estate Investments, Inc. They have added local architects, landscape architects and development consultants to the project team to ensure a comprehensive approach to the project planning has been undertaken.”

Almquist had previously discussed his plans to build a new downtown performing arts center—possibly near the Historic Town Center Park—and incorporated those details into the prior project proposals submitted to the city,

though the new performing arts center component was removed from his updated separate plans for retail and office space at the current Playhouse site.

Almquist has been open about seeking funding to build a new performing arts center in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Almquist and Playhouse personnel have previously said current theater staff members would transition to the new performing arts center.

As for the next steps, Almquist will prepare a draft plan. A required environmental review will also be done, and Almquist’s plans will be reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Commission and Planning Commission, who will give recommendations to the City Council— which gets to make the final decision on whether to approve the rezoning measures.

“My only comment is, this looks like a really good project,” Mayor Derek Reeve said during the May 3 meeting. “We’re almost there. We’re so close. This will be a great addition to the community.”

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Housing, the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor, and public safety were among the many topics that Orange County Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett touched on during her State of the Fifth District Address on May 5.

Bartlett—whose district covers Dana Point, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano—spoke before a crowd of community members at the Crown Valley Community Center in Laguna Niguel.

Bartlett highlighted new housing construction in the form of affordable housing complexes underway in San Juan Capistrano—specifically, on Paseo Adelanto at the current City Hall site and The Groves complex on Camino Capistrano across from JSerra High School.

“The Paseo Adelanto project just received board approval for funding, and The Groves project is currently under construction and scheduled for completion later this month,” Bartlett said.

Construction has not yet begun on the Paseo Adelanto project. Housing at The Groves is intended for senior citizens.

Bartlett also mentioned the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor, a public-private partnership in which the Dana Point Harbor Partners plan to revamp and manage the harbor within five to seven

Council Approves Rezoning Measures for Redevelopment of Camino Playhouse Property COLLIN BREAUX

In order to facilitate plans by local developer Dan Almquist to build retail and office building spaces—in addition to other uses—at the current Camino Real Playhouse site, the San Juan Capistrano City Council approved initial rezoning steps as proposed by city staff during a meeting on May 3.

Almquist and his company, Frontier Real Estate Investments, have had in mind redevelopment plans for the site and associated downtown property for a while, previously working with the city on other rezoning measures. While the Playhouse property was under review The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett discusses ongoing projects in South Orange County during a State of the Fifth District Address with constituents on May 5 in Laguna Niguel. Photo: Collin Breaux

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

COMPILED BY STAFF

TUESDAY, MAY 17

City Council 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

CD | Congressman Mike

Levin Visits Shea Center For the first time ever, a sitting member of Congress toured the grounds of the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano.

Congressman Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano)—who represents the 49th District, which includes San Juan—heard from Shea Center staff members about their equestrian therapeutic programs, checked out the horses on-site, and gave a proclamation of recognition to Shea Center veterinarian volunteer Richard Markell for his 20 years of service on May 4.

Shea Center staff emphasized the need for more funding and equestrian resources during Levin’s visit. The Shea Center helps clients increase core strength and hand-eye coordination, cope with anxiety, and help with other issues through horse riding lessons.

Levin was accompanied by staff members from his office.

“At the end of the day, what’s in the building is typical occupational speech therapy rooms. There’s a family waiting area,” Shea Center Executive Director Dana Butler-Moburg said to Levin while explaining the Shea Center’s features during the visit.“There’s Wi-Fi on the whole property.”

Butler-Moburg explained that they use swings in the indoor therapy room for clients on the autism spectrum, and how most of their funding is supported through philanthropy.

“What’s your rough annual budget?”

Levin asked. “$5.2 million a year,” Butler-Moburg responded.

“How many people do you have on the team?” Levin said.

“Fifty. I have 200 volunteers a week,” Butler-Moburg said. “Think of it as 50 paid people, 200 unpaid people, working with 300 people a week.”

Levin also met with a military veteran who has benefited from Shea Center’s veteran therapy program. Veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues are increasingly turning to horse riding and horse-related care to help manage their conditions.

“I think we can continue to expand eligibility for different forms of therapy for veterans,” Levin said. “I’d love to follow up and see what I can do to help.”

Levin also talked about current work being done in Congress to help fund helping veterans. Shea Center Communications Director Sarah Booth invited Levin and his team to tour the facility after she had met them at an equestrian community meeting in San Juan Capistrano.

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

FRIDAY, MAY 20

Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) checks out a therapy horse during a visit to The Shea Center on May 4.

Photo: Collin Breaux

Levin is currently running in the 49th Congressional District race against Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, former San Juan Councilmember Brian Maryott, Josiah O’Neil, Christopher Rodriguez, Renee Taylor, and Nadia Bahia Smalley.

The Primary Election for the Congressional race will be held on June 7.

torical information to students, and even take their students out to the sites. Recognizing Native American history helps inform how people live today, she added.

“Oftentimes, our history books don’t always center on Indigenous history that gives Native Americans agency,” Manos said. “When we talk to people in the community with Indigenous ties, we give their stories life. Indigenous history doesn’t live in the past. It continues.”

To register for a future tour, contact Manos at mmanos@ocde.us.

CD | OCDE, SJC Indigenous

Descendants Partner for Cultural Education Tours

Coffee Chat 8:30 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. The first Friday session of the month will be held virtually via Zoom video conference; all other Friday forums will take place in person at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano, 31761 Camino Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for information.

TUESDAY, MAY 24

Cultural Heritage Commission 4:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Cultural Heritage Commission will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 27

CD | Historical Commemoration

In order to give local educators a better understanding of San Juan Capistrano’s history, the Orange County Department of Education has recently partnered with members of the Juaneño and Acjachemen communities to provide informational tours that include visits to the city’s historic sites.

The collaboration came about because OCDE wanted educators to have as much historical context as possible and was done after county education representatives met with prominent San Juan Indigenous descendants, including Jerry Nieblas and Domingo Belardes, said Marika Manos—the history, social science, and civics coordinator for OCDE. “This is really exciting for us,” Manos said.

Three tours have been held so far this year and more are expected in the fall, an OCDE news release said. The tours include visits to the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum, Old Mission Historic Cemetery (where San Juan’s early people are buried), and the Putuidem Village Cultural Center at the city’s Northwest Open Space. Refreshments and a chance to ask questions take place at the end of the tours.

Manos said she hopes educators can think through how to present the his-

Organizers Announce Student Essay Contest Winners The San Juan Capistrano Cultural Heritage Commission recently held a commemoration on Los Rios Street on May 7 to celebrate local history—and, as part of the event, a student essay contest.

The contest winners were Madison Lino, Holland Davis, and Emily Ke. Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart and Commissioner Lorie Porter were the judges. The contest received 35 total submissions.

CD | Classical Concert

Comes to SJC in June Kontrapunktus, a classical music ensemble group, will perform at Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano on June 12.

The San Juan concert is one of six that the troupe will hold throughout Southern California.

“Kontrapunktus will be performing the exquisite works of Italian Baroque masters Domenico Gabrielli, Francesco Geminiani, Pietro Locatelli, Domenico Scarlatti, Tomaso Antonio Vitale, and Antonio Vivaldi,” a news release said.

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The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

General admission tickets start at $29.95; discounted tickets are available for senior citizens, veterans, and students at $19.95. Both can be purchased at eventbrite.com. Doors open at 6 p.m.

CD | VFW Post 3801 Plans to

Host Local Memorial Day Ceremony Members of VFW Post 3801 will host their annual Memorial Day ceremony for local deceased veterans at the Old Mission Historic Cemetery at 10 a.m. on May 30.

“This annual event was put on hiatus due to COVID, but is back now,” said Matt Gaffney, a Post 3801 member. “This annual event has been held for the past 30 years. All veterans and the people of San Juan Capistrano are welcome to attend.”

Bringing lawn chairs to the event is recommended for attendees. The graveyard is located on Los Cerritos Street, just off Ortega Highway across from a Shell gas station. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13–26, 2022

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Meet the Candidates Vote-by-mail ballots have begun to hit constituents’ mailboxes this week as California’s Primary Election is less than a month away. In an effort to give our readers more insight into the slate of candidates vying for seats in major local elected offices, we’ve given those running an opportunity to respond to some questions related to issues impacting South Orange County.

Every district-area candidate seeking office in the State Senate and Assembly, Orange County Board and U.S. House of Representatives was given three questions and asked for 400-word responses to each. Some candidates did not submit responses to our questions. Space for their responses was left blank. Given space limitations, only one or two of the questions per race will be published here. The full slate of the questions and answers can be found at thecapistranodispatch.com.

QUESTION 1

| What are your thoughts on the availability of homeless shelter beds in South County? Could more

be done to improve availability? If so, what solutions would you propose as a Board Supervisor to 1) provide more shelter space, and 2) facilitate the development of permanent supportive housing—either locally, by city, or regionally? If not through shelter or housing—permanent supportive, affordable, or otherwise—what alternatives would you support to address the ongoing homelessness crisis?

COUNTY BOARD FIFTH DISTRICT CANDIDATES *INCUMBENT

OC Board Supervisor Katrina Foley* I’ve long believed the county’s failure to take responsibility for the regional issue of homelessness has exacerbated the problem. Past county leaders left individual cities to figure out how to fund shelters and services with their scarce general funds, instead of the county using the funding it receives annually for homelessness solutions. The county continues to struggle to assign regular patrols and clear encampments in its flood channels and parks, forcing cities to tackle the issue. Immediately after joining the board, I initiated a first-of-its-kind audit of all county dollars spent on homelessness to assess what is working, cut wasteful spending, and find solutions for our entire region. As the OC Register reported, my April Investigative Hearing on Homelessness made findings of the audit public, which concluded that, “unless the County creates a comprehensive countywide strategy focused on lasting solutions, (we) may be stuck on a hamster wheel: solving the same problems over and over, community by community.”

When reelected, I’ll finish crafting the strategic plan with regional metrics and goals to end this crisis, while also building on my previous success of reducing homelessness by converting dilapidated, unsafe motels into permanent supportive housing for veterans and families, and continue funding the clearing of encampments in parks and flood channels.

A regional collaborative approach requires public safety, mental health social workers, public health, our faith-based community, and a true city-county partnership.

Former Assemblymember Diane Harkey South OC does not have a comprehensive approach to address homelessness—yet. Solutions will not happen if we wait on Sacramento to act on legislation that is national or statewide that may not be practical for South OC. While we welcome options for temporary shelters, converting motels or other units into permanent shelters wouldn’t be optimal in high-tourist beach areas. We know what works for Orange County, which has built a System of Care and a broad response plan. The OC Housing Finance Trust was formed to identify and secure 2,700 permanent supportive housing units, with six projects underway in SOC that I will shepherd to completion. Additionally, we must expand support for nonprofits such as the Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) that provide temporary and permanent shelters in SOC at present and offer intake assessments for countywide homeless assistance. FAM also operates a food bank in San Clemente and thrift store in Laguna Niguel. FAM will need to relocate their intake and foodbank facility within the next year due to expiration of a leased facility in San Clemente. One housing model is to purchase existing multi-family units through contributions, grants and mortgages, which they retire. They presently own two triplexes and house those with children who need temporary assistance, one family per bedroom with the common area shared. I’ve toured these facilities, and units are in excellent repair, meld into the neighborhood and have on-site supervision. Within 90 days, these families are relocated into rental housing and within a year, families are paying full market rent and back on their feet again. FAM also works to secure permanent housing for mentally ill and disabled and elderly persons. (See: familyassistance.org) Illumination Foundation is a comprehensive resource nonprofit organization that we can and do leverage to assist in SOC. Be Well OC provides mental health assistance and mobile response teams for addiction and mental illness. Working with the cities, I will help secure location(s) that meets the court mandate for our Southern region, ensure the county is available to provide wraparound integrated services for care. I will explore options within our district for a central facility such that the burden on the cities is relieved as much as possible. We should not be subjected to illegal camping in our parks, beaches, alleys, or business locations. We can and will do better to meet the requirements for relocation and supporting our communities.

Newport Beach Councilmember Kevin Muldoon Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach have regional shelter beds dedicated to their homeless shelter needs. The County of Orange has an adequate number of homeless shelter beds required to address the needs of the remaining South County cities, but the county’s Yale Navigation Center has temporarily limited their capacity out of health concerns. Lifting those restrictions will immediately increase shelter space and provide sufficient shelter beds for South County.

State Sen. Patricia Bates Cities have the responsibility to determine where housing is allowed in their community. While on the Laguna Niguel City Council, the Board of Supervisors and as your state senator, I have always been an advocate for local control. I will advocate with the county to work with South County cities to look at commercial and industrial land within their jurisdictions that is no longer occupied, and appropriately rezone those sites to build affordable mixed-used housing and emergency housing, ensuring those developments are placed in appropriate areas and have the support of neighboring properties. I will work with our County Planning and Public Works Department to advocate for waiving or lowering the fee structures for projects aimed at providing affordable housing. Accountability is key to determine best practices, and which approaches to ending homelessness have worked. Given the state has spent $17 billion to date and the problem has grown, I support auditing those programs to determine which ones move forward.

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Meet the Candidates |

It’s widely agreed upon by local municipalities, community members and the region’s elected officials that the spent nuclear fuel stored at the decommissioned San Onofre power plant needs to be removed, and that it’s the federal government’s responsibility to locate interim and permanent repositories for the waste. If elected to Congress, what solutions and legislation would you propose to spur action in getting a national storage facility sited?

QUESTION 2

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Nations across the globe have felt the impacts of climate change, and here in California, we’ve seen record-setting wildfires, ongoing drought and coastal erosion. While efforts are being made to get more electric vehicles on the road and charging stations developed, what other tools do you believe the federal government—Congressional lawmakers, in particular—possess to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

QUESTION 3

49TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES *INCUMBENT

LVN and Businesswoman Nadia Smalley RESPONSE 2: I believe in a course to nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear fuel recycling. Perhaps the nuclear fuel can be safely sold, if not reused for homeland fuel.

After the agreed sale or reusable measures are set in place, the nuclear fuel will then be taken out of San Onofre, then restored into another safe facility unanimously agreed upon by the community and the regions’ elected officials in Congress, or safely relocated by its new owner.

RESPONSE 3: Well, I can stay for a while, far as will have to definitely employ more federal firefighters for this position and stand by for this event to take place; just be ready. As far as our ongoing drought, we have already put in place measures to conserve water during the day; reverse osmosis for ocean waters could be a tactic put in place for drought assistance. A tentative care approach from research groups, scientists and colleges, we would have to implement think tank groups to resolve this issue. I feel coastal erosion deserves funding for extensive deep water cleanup measures.

OC Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett RESPONSE 2: As a leader in the effort to safely decommission the San Onofre Nuclear power plant, this is an issue I have been championing for years and will continue to do so as a congresswoman. Currently, I am co-chairing Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now—a broad-based coalition of all stakeholders—to pressure the federal government to act on securing a consent-based interim and permanent location for the spent nuclear fuel at the generating station. This is a job the federal government is already obligated to do, and should be doing. In addition, I am seeking the federal enabling legislation that will fund off-site storage, transport, disposal, and continual emergency preparedness and response activities related to the decommissioning of the facility through 2049.

RESPONSE 3: We must protect the environment, but I believe we can do so in an economically responsible way that benefits Americans instead of punishing them. As a congresswoman, I will continue to prioritize the protection of our coastline through practicable coastline resiliency initiatives. I have and will continue to support smart public and private investment in clean air initiatives. I oppose the expansion of offshore drilling in California and will always fight to hold polluters that destroy our environment accountable. In addition, I am helping lead the effort to safely decommission the San Onofre Nuclear power plant.

Former San Juan Capistrano Councilmember Brian Maryott RESPONSE 2: California’s beautiful San Onofre State Beach, just north of San Diego and on the southernmost tip of Orange County, is situated next to 3.6 million pounds of nuclear waste from decommissioned nuclear reactors. This issue represents one of the federal government’s biggest domestic policy failures in the last half-century. Unfortunately, decades of showboating and partisan politics have left this nuclear waste stranded indefinitely next to countless citizens and a pristine ecosystem. Under the U.S. Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the federal government was obligated to move nuclear waste into a remote and centralized federal facility. Despite this obligation, and after more than $15 billion was spent on researching and qualifying Yucca Mountain as a centralized disposal location, the Obama administration pulled the plug. Now, we continue to have waste buried in temporary accommodations in 35 different states—this is, of course, absurd, and incredibly dangerous. Redundant press conferences and useless Blue Ribbon commissions and local discussion panels won’t fix this problem. As a congressman, I will immediately join the effort in Congress to restart the Yucca Mountain process, while supporting tangible interim storage strategies that involve public-private partnerships. The humanitarian and ecological disaster that would ensue as a result of big government’s inaction, in regard to the decommissioned San Onofre power plant’s nuclear waste, makes the issue of responsible nuclear waste disposal an urgent matter for my campaign. Nuclear power isn’t the problem. The problem is a government that operates like a bureaucratic machine and is characterized by political grandstanding, which has enabled a near criminal lack of resolve to get something done on this pressing issue once and for all.

RESPONSE 3: Humanity’s negative impact on the environment is undeniable; however, the role bad environmental policy has played in California’s various ecological disasters, including the state’s worst wildfires, cannot be overstated. California’s deadliest wildfires in recent years have been decades in the making. As a congressman, I will work toward improving forest health and fire prevention through the use of prescribed and controlled burns to reduce the fuel load in forests and coastal chaparral, because leaving forests overgrown and unattended makes them prone to unusually destructive wildfires. Also, I will work toward holding corrupt gas and power companies responsible for the role they’ve played in causing destructive wildfires, like the Dixie Fire in Northern California. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), for instance, has been convicted of multiple felony crimes and has been deemed criminally negligent for years. This utility company, like many others, has direct ties to corrupt government officials, such as Gavin Newsom, who claim publicly that wildfires are simply a result of climate change, while simultaneously crafting legislation that protects the profits of negligent utility providers. Had these policy reforms, ensuring adequate forestry management and utility maintenance, been in place, the government would have largely prevented the enormous loss of life, property, and ecology that has occurred in recent years, and California’s forests would have been better equipped to survive an extended period of drought, similar to those that have been occurring long before industrialization.

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(Continued)

49TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES *INCUMBENT

Rep. Mike Levin* RESPONSE 2: Addressing the spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) has been one of my top priorities since I first ran for office, and I am proud to have made real bipartisan progress since I took office in addressing many of the challenges associated with moving the waste out of our community.

One of the first actions I took as a member of Congress was to form a SONGS Task Force of experts and community leaders around the region to identify policy solutions. The SONGS Task Force released a comprehensive report containing recommendations on how to address the safe storage and removal of nuclear waste from our coast. Informed by the recommendations of the SONGS Task Force, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Darrell Issa and others to expedite the removal of nuclear waste from decommissioned plants in areas with high population density and seismic hazard, such as San Onofre; repeatedly pushed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to increase oversight at San Onofre; created a bipartisan Spent Nuclear Fuel Solutions Caucus in Congress; and led legislation that was signed into law to spur innovation and research in the storage, transportation, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. I also secured federal funding that has allowed the Department of Energy to restart a consent-based siting program. Just last month, I hosted Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to push for federal action in getting the waste off of our beach. She announced that as a result of the interim storage process I helped fund, the federal government plans to provide money to communities that may want to host the waste. Safely and quickly removing the waste from San Onofre will continue to be one of my top priorities for as long as I have the honor to serve this district.

RESPONSE 3: Our district is home to more than 50 miles of beautiful California coastline and other cherished lands and waters like San Onofre State Park and the San Elijo Lagoon.

Unfortunately, these natural treasures are threatened by the climate crisis, including more extreme heat waves and longer droughts fueling year-round wildfires, and rising sea levels and storm surges driving unprecedented coastal erosion. As a longtime advocate for climate action and member of the House Natural Resources Committee and Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I have led aggressive legislation to protect our planet for future generations. One of the first bills I supported in Congress banned new offshore drilling along our coast. I also introduced the American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act to specifically ban new offshore drilling activity along the Southern California coast. Following the October 2021 oil spill off the coast of Orange County, I led the effort to advance legislation ending new drilling and strengthening oversight of offshore drilling companies. I know that we can protect our environment, combat the climate crisis, and grow our economy at the same time. California has proven it is possible, and I have used our success as a model for action in Washington. I introduced legislation to transition America to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), expand charging infrastructure, and convert Park Service and Forest Service fleets to ZEVs so that we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manufacture the cars of the future right here in America. I have also worked across the aisle on bipartisan efforts to combat climate change. I fought for the inclusion of provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, invest in the supply chain for batteries, provide $1.5 billion for clean hydrogen manufacturing, invest $550 million in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, and much more.

Sheriff’s Deputy Josiah O’Neil RESPONSE 2: I would immediately propose legislation to expand energy supply, including new nuclear reactors and national disposal sites, and federal payment for relocation and long-term storage would be part of that proposal.

RESPONSE 3: Federal government has an obligation to provide clean, safe, and reliable energy to states and communities. By building new nuclear reactors, we could provide all the clean power that our growing economy demands.

Cybersecurity and Military Officer Renee Taylor RESPONSE 2: According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “There are about 86,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel from commercial reactors stored at 75 U.S. sites. This amount continues to grow. Policymakers have been at an impasse over what to do with the spent fuel since the licensing of the Yucca Mountain repository stopped in 2010. Unable to meet its disposal commitment, the U.S. government has paid reactor owners about $9 billion for storage.” Massive amounts of clean nuclear-generated electricity created spent nuclear fuel (SNF) over the last 40-plus years; siting and opening a repository for permanent disposal could take as many decades to establish. In the meantime, action must be taken to develop interim storage sites that can be licensed, built, and opened for SNF acceptance. Unfortunately, however, interim storage solutions for today may become tomorrow’s problem. In other words, interim may become permanent in the absence of a greater strategy. Current proposals denote interim storage for some 40 years, but it will take the United States well over 40 years to site, design, construct, and ultimately place spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste at a geologic repository. In December 1987, Congress amended the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) to designate Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as the only site to be characterized as a permanent repository for all the nation’s nuclear waste. Since then, conflict and defunding have ensued. To break the impasse over a permanent solution for commercial spent nuclear fuel, Congress needs to authorize a new consent-based process for siting a repository. Finalizing legislation could help position the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement a consent-based process for consolidated interim storage facilities and/or permanent geologic repositories by amending the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) to allow for storage and disposal options other than, or in addition to, the Yucca Mountain repository. Lessons learned from a global perspective show that other countries have made strides to reach consensus after comparable stalemates. For example, Canada, Sweden, and Finland designated sites after 17-30 years of public discourse. The path to yes may be long, but it is achievable.

RESPONSE 3: Climate change—according to NASA, numerous events can cause climate change. Some examples include the Earth’s changing distance from the sun; the sun sending out more or less energy; and ocean change due to volcanic eruptions. Of course, human activities can impact environmental conditions as well, such as driving vehicles, heating and cooling buildings, and even cooking food. All these activities take energy (typically generated by coal, oil and gas).

There should not be a single point of success or failure for energy consumption or emission output—e.g., exclusively electric vehicles. A comprehensive plan for climate change would need to consider many facets. Interestingly, the priority needs of California are the very things that contribute to climate change. California needs more housing, which, in turn, inevitably means clearing lands and trees, which help regulate carbon dioxide. With the significant population, California landfills for garbage are a major source of methane emissions. All of the things that California needs—energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture, and land use are among the main emitters. Therefore, future planning needs to include balancing between the need for energy, housing, and transport and the wants to reduce climate change. Congress alone cannot combat climate change, but Congress can support rational initiatives—such as encouraging various renewable energy alternatives, promoting public transportation, and fostering innovation. Addressing and mitigating the effects of climate change starts on an individual and community basis. Simple steps such as adjusting heating/cooling settings in homes and buildings, using brooms instead of leaf blowers, planting trees, energy-efficient building codes, sensible waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle), and cleaning up all the garbage littering our freeways are all a good start.

Public transportation used to be a safe and efficient means of commuting, but for many individuals, it is not a viable option. For example, just going 9 miles on a bus route can take three hours, and train rides between San Diego and Los Angeles can take hours longer than driving. By improving time and distance efficiencies, public transportation could be a favorable alternative. Congress, communities, and individuals can all be instrumental environmental stewards—without excessive regulation and partisan posturing. Paraphrasing a popular quote, alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

Oceanside Councilmember Christopher Rodriguez RESPONSE 2: RESPONSE 3:

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Meet the Candidates |

Over the past year, we’ve seen inflation soar as a result of supply-chain disruptions, higher demand on goods and services, as well as impacts to the food and energy markets in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Do you have any plans or ideas on mitigating these effects for Californians, and what do you think about calls to suspend the gas tax to relieve prices at the pump?

QUESTION 1

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What’s your perspective on satisfying the need for more affordable housing in the region, and what do you think about claims that the state is overreaching on the issue—a matter some say is better handled by local municipalities?

QUESTION 3

74TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT CANDIDATES *INCUMBENT

Assemblymember Laurie Davies* RESPONSE 1: We are projected to have tens of billions of dollars in surplus funds this year, most of this coming from your taxes, yet we have families choosing between gas and food. All we’ve gotten from a one-party rule is a proposed rebate that could be several months away. The super-majority has continued to vote to not hear Republicans’ immediate relief bill. Now, not only is there no relief, but the governor and his party missed the deadline to reduce the summer blend gas tax, which needed to be done by May 1 and will now add an additional $550 million in taxes to all Californians. I support an immediate halt to the gas tax for one year and support a decrease in the state gas tax rate.

RESPONSE 3: Unless we commit ourselves to reforms that allow more housing to be built, housing will continue to get more expensive. Everyone knows that CEQA has to be amended to make it harder to stop housing projects, but the majority (who have a super-majority in both Senate and Assembly and hold the governor’s office) has failed to act. Unfair rules and head-shaking fees to build new housing must be reduced so that the next generation of Californians aren’t forced to leave the state to find an affordable house.

San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan RESPONSE 1: Californians need relief from high prices and inflation, including high gas prices. With the recent news of California’s $68 billion budget surplus, I would support tax rebates to give money back to average Californians. Californians deserve tax relief and we should also incentivize and make it easier for local businesses to stay in California to keep their jobs here.

To address supply chain issues, we must invest in our infrastructure, including ports, roads, highways and more. And ensure we have a skilled and trained workforce to construct these projects.

With high gas prices, any solution must benefit consumers directly, not line the pockets of big oil companies. That’s why I support the proposal to give $400 to California drivers.

That’s more than what the average California family will spend on gas tax for a full year. Meanwhile, a gas tax holiday would not guarantee a full reduction in cost for consumers, it would mean the oil companies and gas stations would continue to make more profits at the disadvantage of Californians. However, I’m for an all-of-the-above approach and would also support a plan to both suspend the gas tax and provide rebates if that’s what it takes. We need to provide Californians with financial relief now.

RESPONSE 3: Our entire state is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis and we are seeing the implications across our community. We must make this a priority and find real solutions—not just talk. The root of this problem is a housing shortage. Our younger generations are concerned they may be forced to move out of California and may never be able to afford a home. This is unacceptable.

I will work to build more housing for people of all income levels, which means removing some of the red tape and obstacles to building new housing and giving economic incentives to build where it’s needed most. That must include affordable housing and market-rate housing production, with projects so certain workers, including teachers, police officers and firefighters, can live in the communities they serve.

This cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. We must empower our municipalities to ensure that they build affordable housing that is right for their community. The design, size and location of new housing needs to fit the local character. I am a strong believer in local control and providing incentives, rather than imposing penalties, is a more effective way to actually get it done.

36TH SENATE DISTRICT CANDIDATES

Huntington Beach Councilmember Kim Carr RESPONSE 1: Rising prices are crushing families, which is why, in the State Senate, I am committed to securing much-needed economic relief for residents in Orange County and across California. I believe that we need to suspend the gas tax temporarily and use California’s $45 billion budget surplus to provide residents with gas price relief payments for each car they own. Long-term, I will proactively make investments in clean energy to ensure gas hikes do not hurt working families as significantly in the future. I am also committed to expanding paid family leave, which allows Californians to take paid time off work upon the birth of a new child or to care for a seriously ill relative.

RESPONSE 3: I fully support building more affordable housing here in Orange County and across California, which is why, as Huntington Beach Mayor, I led in the creation of 674 middle-income housing units that allow entry-level employees, teachers, nurses, and others to work and live in the city they love. I believe the state needs to be more helpful in assisting local municipalities reach their affordable housing goals, for example, by offering incentives.

Assemblymember Janet Nguyen RESPONSE 1: RESPONSE 3:

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(Continued)

38TH SENATE DISTRICT CANDIDATES *INCUMBENT

Retired Fire Capt. Joe Kerr RESPONSE 1: Many daunting factors come into play surrounding the disruptions to our global supply chain, such as the need for more ships, more truck drivers, and more warehouse space. These are complex issues that cannot be fixed overnight, but one thing is certain: when fuel costs go up, all costs go up with them. Ocean shipping costs are ballooning due to the rise in the cost of fuel, and trucking companies, which is the most popular form of shipping for U.S.-based companies, have started applying fuel surcharges to offset the rising cost of diesel fuel. Addressing the cost of fuel is one way to offer Californians some immediate relief in the short term as we work on more long-term solutions. We as Californians pay the highest gas prices in the country, due in large part to our high taxes and strict environmental regulations. Much has been made about delaying the automatic 3-cents per gallon gas tax increase coming in July, but there is no guarantee that oil companies would pass those savings on to consumers. In light of California’s $68 billion surplus, the Problem Solvers Caucus in the state legislature has proposed a solution that makes good sense. They propose that California suspend the entire 51-cents per gallon gas tax, replace that lost revenue with General Fund money, and require oil companies to pass on the $9 billion tax savings to motorists. I support this idea, and as your senator I would also support SB 1322 that is currently in committee. This bill asks for transparency and accountability on the part of suppliers and aims to find out why Californians pay so much at the pump. When we know where the money is going, we will have a better understanding of how to alleviate the burden on consumers now and in the future.

RESPONSE 3: Housing prices are essentially driven up by a lack of supply, so if we want to bring down housing costs, we need to build more housing. Regarding my viewpoint on state control vs. local control, I support the state’s approach to the problem of creating affordable housing for low-income Californians by subsidizing the construction of homes through bond funds, tax credits, and other available resources. However, when it comes to the issue of increasing density, I do not agree with the state’s desire to forcibly increase density in pre-established single family neighborhoods. I believe this is an issue of local control, and local jurisdictions know what works best in their communities. From a practical standpoint, adding pressure to our overtaxed public safety and existing infrastructure systems could cause problems down the line that have not been fully vetted. Our existing communities are engineered, built and approved using uniform building codes, uniform fire code, and in some areas the public resources code based on a very specific maximum occupancy level and usage level for that area. Increasing density in those areas will overtax our existing infrastructure, such as the water supply system, sewer system, the electrical grid, Wi-Fi bandwidth, our local city staff and public safety services, not to mention creating additional parking issues. And, speaking from a public safety perspective, putting a home behind a home also puts your first responders in harm’s way when it comes to fire and EMS, especially if you have 5 feet or less property lot lines. It’s very difficult to get personnel, EMS equipment, and/ or fire equipment to an ADU, especially if there is limited access and/or radiant heat involved. Bottom line, allowing up to four dwellings on a lot designed to accommodate one is not a good solution to our housing dilemma.

Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear RESPONSE 1: Inflation is hurting all families. In the short-term, I support the proposal in the California Legislature to give every taxpayer a $200 stimulus “relief” check to offset the high price of gas and other basic necessities. I also support expanding CalFresh, California’s nutrition assistance program, because I believe no family should ever go hungry.

Increased demand for gas as people get back to work, the justified embargo on Russian energy imports, and oil companies exploiting this crisis to take home record-breaking profits are some of the reasons why we’re paying more at the pump. As Congressman Mike Levin said in his recent Times of San Diego op-ed, it comes down to the Three Ps: Pandemic, Putin, and Price Gouging.

While we can’t control the Three Ps, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by increasing our investments in renewable energy technologies, which are cheaper and more reliable.

History shows that if we cut taxes for oil companies, they won’t pass the savings onto the consumer. I support policies that will actually put money back into people’s pockets.

RESPONSE 3: Housing affordability is one of the greatest problems facing our state. I will fight to create more housing for people at all income levels, especially people at low- and very-low-income levels. I support mandating that developers build affordable housing units on site and that the affordable units are integrated into the housing project, not segregated.

As mayor, I’ve been working—and succeeding—at providing more housing options, including creating a housing plan that provides for low-income housing, limiting the overall number of homes that can transition from longer-term housing into vacation rentals, streamlining the permit process for ADUs (or granny flats), and ensuring that our planning commissioners follow housing laws.

In 2020, I received the “Ruby Award—No Place Like Home, Outstanding Elected Official” award from the San Diego Housing Federation for successfully passing a compliant housing plan and consistently articulating pro-housing policies in my city. I believe the state should be helping address the housing crisis by building more affordable housing and public housing. We need all levels of government—local, state, and federal—working together to solve the housing crisis.

Small Business Owner Matt Gunderson RESPONSE 1: It is a disgrace and downright cruel that the powers that be in Sacramento have not addressed the affordability crisis in California. This predates the record rise in inflation and the ongoing aggression by the Russian Federation against a democratic sovereign nation. Taxes are too high. Simple goods like produce, paper products, and meat are much more expensive now than they were a few years ago. In addition, California has had the highest gas prices in the nation long before this recent spike. Not only do we add a 51-cents-per-gallon state tax, but the state also tacks on additional fees that brings up the total tax burden on a gallon of gas in California to $1.18. I fully support the suspension of the gas tax and the repeal of this excessively regressive and absolutely unneeded burden on hard working families in California.

RESPONSE 3: Affordability in California is one of my top priorities. We must, of course, provide more housing opportunities to bring the cost of living down and positively impact the growing homeless epidemic, caused mostly by bad state and local policies. However, we must not sacrifice local control. The state legislature should get rid of laws that override community preferences like SB 9 and 10 and give for-profit developers free rein to build multi-story, multi-unit rental properties in suburban neighborhoods next to single-family homes.

The character and safety of our neighborhoods must be protected. I fully believe in local control on all matters, and housing is no exception.

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EYE ON RMV

The Story Behind the Little Free Library at Esencia Farm

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

f you’ve walked by the Esencia Farm in Rancho Mission Viejo, you might have noticed a tiny wooden library full of free books to grab and read— and even been curious about how the mini-library came to be.

As it turns out, the literary resource was the result of a Girl Scout project.

Kelly McNamara—who lives in RMV, down the street from the library—wanted to earn her Silver Award with the Girl Scouts, and thought building a small library for the community would make a good award project.

“I went to (the heads of) RMV and asked them if I could do it. I wanted to promote reading. They said, sure,” said McNamara, who is now 17 and a senior at Tesoro High School.“I like reading. I didn’t get to do enough of it outside of school.”

RMV officials gave her an architecture plan, which McNamara and her grandfather, David Young, then set out on following.

McNamara enlisted the help of her grandfather, because they already shared a bond.

His experience with woodworking—a realm McNamara was unversed in before constructing the library—didn’t hurt, either.

“It was natural, because we’re already pretty close,” McNamara said. “He cut everything, and I actually put it together.

It was a bonding experience for us.”

The project was finished in 2018, and McNamara still sees people use it “all the time” four years later, when she works at Canyon Coffee, a nearby coffee shop.

“It was a lot of hard work,” McNamara said of the project. “It took a lot of time.

We had to get the measurements right.”

When the library opened, McNamara described her reaction as “nonplussed,” because she spent so many nights on bringing it to fruition. As time goes on, though, seeing people casually take out books means “a lot more” to her now.

In fact, McNamara often finds herself organizing the book selection by hand. She has been recognized as the person who created the library while straightening books.

She said the free library is a convenient option for RMV residents—particularly for residents who live in the Gavilan neighborhood, which is geared toward those who are 55 years of age or older.

Along with the adult books, there is also children’s literature. The library in Esencia is one of three little free libraries in RMV. The other two are at the Sendero Farm and The Backyard park. Little free The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

Bibliophiles can check out the little free libraries in Rancho Mission Viejo, including by Sendero Farm.

Photo: Collin Breaux

EVENTS AT THE RANCH MAY 25

Volunteer Trail Cleanup 9-11 a.m. Give back by helping to clear and pick weeds in The Nature Reserve. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves if they have them. Participants must be registered or on the wait by list by Tuesday, May 24, by 4 p.m. The event will start at The Nature Reserve headquarters. thenaturereserve.org.

libraries are popping up throughout the country, and are part of the Little Free Library nonprofit book exchange program.

“This is probably the best place for people to grab a book and hang out at,” McNamara said, in reference to the library’s proximity to Canyon Coffee and the general outdoor space nearby. “A lot of my neighbors have told me they use it. A lot of kids I babysit use it, too.” CD

Kelly McNamara and her grandfather, David Young, are shown here at the opening of a little library they built in 2018 at the Esencia Farm in Rancho Mission Viejo. The tiny library has books people can pick out and read for free. Photo: Courtesy of Rancho Mission Viejo

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SOAPBOX

PUBLISHER’S LETTER | BY NORB GARRETT, PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER OF PICKET FENCE MEDIA

An Update on Fred Swegles T

hose in San Juan Capistrano who have admired Fred Swegles’ reporting over the years have no doubt noticed his absence from Picket Fence Media’s pages and websites since last June.

During that time, San Clemente’s most treasured and beloved journalist has been dealing with personal health issues, which up until last week, he had requested be kept private. But now, as friends and fans continue to seek news, Fred has decided it is time for us to share some of his private details.

About a year ago, Fred was diagnosed with glioblastoma (a brain tumor), which has required surgery and ongoing treatments. One of the primary effects of this condition is aphasia, the inability to come up with words and the inability to write—aphasia is the same condition that Bruce Willis has, only Fred’s is the result of the glioblastoma.

Needless to say, for a guy who has literally spent his entire adult life writing and chronicling San Clemente’s stories, this has been a crushing and crippling reality.

Those who know and have come to love Fred over the years know that writing is his passion and, indeed, his gift.

His insights about this community have forever shaped the storylines that tell the story of San Clemente and its people; his photographs have captured timeless moments and treasured landmarks.

His enthusiasm for all things San Clemente has inspired all who have met him and been lucky enough to work with him. The highlight of our weekly Picket Fence Media editorial meetings was when Fred would talk about his upcoming column, then spin off onto five or six other columns he was working on—all with the enthusiasm and passion of a pie-eyed rookie reporter pitching his first stories to his new editor.

For him to lose his ability to shape thoughts and knowledge into profound written works . . . well, it’s been crushing to witness.

As he continues to battle this tumor and its effects on his life, he and his sister, Barb, have given us here at Picket Fence Media the green light to share

CITY EDITOR Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com

Here are a few ways you can reach out to Fred:

SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

EMAIL • fswegles@gmail.com. He reads all of his emails, so, by all means, please email him directly.

CARDS/LETTERS • If you’d like to send Fred a card or letter, please mail to Fred Swegles, c/o San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Ste. B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

VISIT • Fred would love to see friends and can do so on a limited basis. Please contact his sister, Barbara Chamberlin, at bchamberlinsc@gmail.com, if you’d like to visit.

Fred’s a fighter. He’s nowhere near ready to put down his pen or camera.

Just as San Clemente and the surrounding South Orange County community have needed Fred for the past 70-plus years, Fred now needs us. CD

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

ADVERTISING Debra Wells • 949.388.7700, x104 debra@wellsadsolutions.com DISTRIBUTION Racks, Driveways, Subscriptions Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (SC + DP)

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo

Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD)

City Reporter, SC Times C. Jayden Smith

ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith

City Reporter, DP Times Breeana Greenberg

Lawsuit Attempts to Stop Skatepark Despite Overwhelming Community Support

O

HOW TO REACH US

the news so that all who know and love him can reach out with well-wishes and encouragement.

GUEST OPINION | by Mayor Derek Reeve

n April 5, 2022, the City Council took the historic action to move forward with the residents’ long-awaited City Skatepark and Trail Project. After one of the most heartwarming and inspiring City Council meetings I have ever been privileged to be a part of, the audience of all ages erupted in cheers when the City Council voted unanimously to approve the final design of the project, which includes a 20,000 squarefoot, all-wheel skatepark, restroom, farmthemed play structure, shaded seating areas and a new multi-use trail connecting Via Positiva to Camino Del Avion. The skatepark would be located on less than one acre of the city-owned Kinoshita Farm property, adjacent to the City’s Sports Park complex and within walking distance of the Boys and Girls Club, two elementary schools and a middle school.

Shockingly, on May 2, the city was served with a lawsuit challenging the approval of the skatepark in Orange County Superior Court. The group responsible for the litigation is led by a former mayor

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 thecapistranodispatch.com

from about 30 years ago, Carolyn Nash, and allegedly includes a number of as-yet-to-be identified failed city politicians.

GUEST OPINION Nash’s alleged obBY MAYOR DEREK REEVE jection to our skatepark and trails is it will somehow destroy our beloved adjacent farm. This is total nonsense. Even The Ecology Center, the local nonprofit that operates the organic farm in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, is supportive of the skatepark and worked collaboratively with the city to identify a suitable location for the project. In fact, The Ecology Center recognizes that integrating the farm and future skatepark would help expose local youth to the city’s agrarian heritage and create unique programming opportunities for the site.

For over 15 years, passionate San Juan Capistrano residents have fundraised, rallied support, participated in workshops and worked with the City Council and

staff to make the skatepark a reality. These efforts have culminated in the design of a world-class facility for our community’s youth to enjoy. Unfortunately, the “eleventh hour” lawsuit will cause significant and costly delays, and may also jeopardize the city’s ability to utilize state grant funding previously awarded for the project, and even jeopardize the skatepark itself.

The City Council is committed to delivering the long-awaited skatepark to San Juan Capistrano’s youth and will not be deterred in our efforts by this misguided attempt to stop the project. Please make your voice heard and email Ms. Nash herself at cjnash@cox.net and cc the city at cityclerk@sanjuancapistrano.org to request she withdraw the lawsuit and allow the skatepark to move forward.

Derek Reeve is the current mayor of San Juan Capistrano. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch .com.

Page 18

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman

FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 20, Issue 9. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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GETTING OUT

Editor’s Pick

LIVE THEATER AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE 7:30 p.m. Have some laughs and watch actors perform in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Camino Real Playhouse is staging Young Frankenstein, an adaptation of the Mel Brooks comedy. The show runs through June 5. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

The List What’s going on in and around town this week

SATURDAY | 21

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

FRIDAY | 13 FRIDAY NIGHT AT PADDY’S STATION 8-11 p.m. Grab a pint, order some fish and chips, and spend the night at a downtown Irish pub. Cover Fire will perform cover songs, so get ready to sing along with familiar tunes. Paddy’s Station, 26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano.

949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

SATURDAY | 14 SEED CONNECTION 9-10 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this hands-on lab about soil and seeds, so people can learn about gardening, saving seeds, and which food is appropriate to grow in a given season. The event is open to all ages, so you can learn something whether you have a kid just developing a green thumb or you are an adult looking to grow more plants in the backyard.

The event is free. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org.

DOG ADOPTION OPPORTUNITY 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Promise 4 Paws is hosting

AT THE MOVIES

‘The Unbearable Weight’ of an Inside Joke

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

hate sounding overly dramatic, but the first half of Tom Gormican’s The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent almost instantly set off my second-hand embarrassment.

For a moment, I was worried it would affect

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

FRIDAY | 20

Get some tips on bike safety from experts at Dana Hills High School this Saturday. Photo: Courtesy of Leandro Boogalu/Pexels

SATURDAY | 14 BIKE SAFETY LEARNING EVENT 9-10:30 a.m. Representatives from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) will teach bike safety skills to attendees at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point. CHP members will also check bicycles and helmets. The first 40 children to attend will receive a set of bicycle lights, while the first 50 children to attend will get reflective bracelets. The free event is in partnership with the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, as well as the Orange County Transportation Authority, CHP, OCSD, and the California State Assembly. RSVP online. Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. sanjuancapistrano.org. an open dog adoption event. Drop by, check out some cute canine companions, and maybe go home with one. The event will be in the Pets Plus parking lot. Pets Plus, 32022 Camino Capistrano, #A, San Juan Capistrano. 949.248.3400. promise4paws.org.

Band will perform. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

TALK FROM AUTHOR JOE IDE 10 a.m. Crime novelist Joe Ide will give a talk about writing the “killer” crime novel, in an appearance presented by the Southern California Writers Association (SCWA). Ide is the author of the IQ series and also just released The Goodbye Coast, based on the Philip Marlowe detective character. There will be a champagne brunch before Ide speaks and a buffet luncheon afterward. Tickets are available on the SCWA website. Regency Theatres, 26762 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. southerncalwriters.org.

TUESDAY | 24

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT SWALLOW’S 2-6 p.m. Come enjoy a drink and enjoy some live music at this famous downtown bar. The Chris Daniels Project

HORSEMEN HAPPY HOUR 5-8 p.m. Join the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition and other horse enthusiasts for an afternoon get-together. Free appetizers will be provided by the Equestrian Coalition. Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuanequestrian.org.

FIELD OF HONOR 9 a.m-4 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano is again partnering with Homefront of America to display American flags in the Mission courtyard in celebration of Memorial Day. More than 400 flags, each standing at 7 feet tall, will be available to view. Active-duty military, veterans, first responders and Mission Preservation Society members will receive free admission to the Mission during the Field of Honor display, which runs through May 30. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

my viewing for the rest of the film. I knew going into Massive Talent that it was going to be one giant, tongue-in-cheek meta joke. But fortunately, Gormican and his muse of sorts, Nicolas Cage, knew exactly what they’re doing with their picture.

As can be seen in all the promos for Massive Talent, Nic Cage is playing Nick Cage in a film about Cage. No, it’s not a documentary, and it’s quite clearly a scripted story.

We see Cage as an actor who was once a superstar and now struggling to land any kind of gig in Hollywood. This Nick Cage has a completely fictional wife and teenage daughter played by Sharon Horgan and Lily Sheen, respectively, while the actor’s real-life

legendary showbiz dynasty (the Coppolas) aren’t acknowledged in the film.

But we get plenty of name-dropping, callbacks and references to Cage’s very real acting work.

To make it even more obvious, Cage’s alter-ego is fictional; his on-screen agent (played by Neil Patrick Harris) notifies him he’s been invited to an extravagant birthday party of a very wealthy fan in Mallorca, Spain. Pedro Pascal plays the fan, who actually has ties to arms dealers.

Massive Talent starts out as a self-aware comedy about celebrity life, with Cage even playing a CG de-aged imaginary version of his character in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990), who represents Nick’s conscience.

Once we’re in Mallorca for the rest of Un-

bearable Weight, it’s a mix of a buddy comedy and a traditional action flick, a la Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder (2008). Gormican and screenwriting partner Kevin Etten don’t break a lot of new ground with their new feature, but it is amusing enough to spend 105 minutes.

Cage—though maybe predictable casting as a famous actor making fun of himself— pulls off the gimmick effectively. Pascal might be the best part of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, with a pleasantly surprising amount of comedic timing.

If silly characters getting themselves into ridiculous situations to cartoony proportions is your bag, then you’ll probably get a kick out of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. CD

SUNDAY | 15

THURSDAY | 19

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thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

A Tribute to Marie Lacouague T

he good news about San Juan Capistrano is that many generations of residents stay in our community. The bad news is that many generations of our residents stay in this community. As a result, we have a number of elderly family members living in our town—and, unfortunately, as they age, they also pass away, but we are left with their legacy.

Earlier this year, we lost Ilse Byrnes.

She was 94. She had lived in San Juan Capistrano for over 60 years. As we celebrate National Preservation Month, it is important to remember the legacy left by Ilse that will endure forever.

Keeping Los Rios Street as the oldest neighborhood in California is just one of her accomplishments.

In April, we lost another longtime resident who made a difference in our community by reminding of us of our farming history and how influential the Basque Community is to our town history and culture. Marie Lacouague passed away at the age of 98. She had lived in San Jun Capistrano for 71 years.

Marie was born near the Spanish border in the French Basque country.

In 1939, Hitler invaded France and soldiers took up residence in Marie’s home for the next four years. It was not a happy childhood. After the war, Eugenia Oyharzabal, a San Juan Capistrano resident, returned to her hometown to visit her relatives and brought her daughters Carmen and Terry along.

Marie and Carmen met and became friends.

When an uncle who had immigrated to California offered to sponsor Marie to come to the United States, he did not have to ask twice. She was more than happy to leave her troubled country. Although Marie was fluent in three languages—French, Spanish, and Basque—she did not speak English, so upon her arrival in California, the uncle paid for her to go to school to learn English. It was a Catholic all-girls school. The nuns who taught French in the school were not very good, so Marie was able to help them teach French to her fellow students. In turn, they helped her to quickly learn English, which she did.

Once she was able to speak English,

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

she worked as a housekeeper for the Moulton family. She came down to San Juan Capistrano to visit her friend Carmen Oyharzabal, and it was during those visits that she met Jean Lacouague, whose father coincidently had come from the same village MOMENTS IN TIME as Marie. Jean had

BY JAN SIEGEL already taken over the running of his family ranch and became a citrus farmer. Jean and Marie were married in Serra Chapel in 1951.

They had four children: Daniel, Michelle, Denise and Renee.

Besides caring for her immediate family, Marie fed and supported the workers on the farm. She and Jean lived in the same house that Pierre Lacouague had built in 1933. When the Lacouagues sold the farm in 1974, the family retained five acres on the “home-hill,” which included the family home. Jean passed away in 2008, but Marie continued to stay in the house. In 1998, Jean and Marie Lacouague were named Grand Marshals of the Swallows Day Parade as a testament to what they had done for San Juan Capistrano. In her later years, Marie enjoyed her eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Spend a “Moment in Time” reflecting on all the special people in your family and think about how much richer our community is because Ilse Byrnes and Marie Lacouague called it home.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo.

She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photo depicts a motorcycle club in San Juan Capistrano in the 1930s.

The Capistrano Dispatch regularly publishes a historical photo. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com.

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Glenda

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

This is not, in fact, a furry baked potato, but an adorable bunny named Glenda. Glenda is a 6-month-old female mini Lop mix looking for a great home. She is treat-motivated and doesn’t mind being handled. With her sweet personality, Glenda would make a good house rabbit for a loving family.

If you are interested in adopting Glenda, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

SOLUTION:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

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thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SAN JUAN

the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. After an injury to the Twins’ big free-agent signing Carlos Correa last week, the door opened for Lewis to get the call, drive across the river and make his MLB debut.

In his first four games with the Twins, Lewis had three hits in 13 at-bats, including a double. Lewis had a hit in each of his first three games.

PRO SPORTS

ROUNDUP

San Juan Hills’ Rhyan, JSerra’s Wattenberg Selected in NFL Draft

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

JSerra Graduate, No. 1 Pick Royce Lewis Makes MLB Debut Five years after graduating from JSerra and being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Royce Lewis finally rocketed into the big leagues on Friday, May 6.

Lewis handled the first out of his MLB debut for the Minnesota Twins on a ground ball to the shortstop, and in his fourth at-bat, the former Lion collected his first big-league hit, as he laced a single into right field. The Twins beat the Oakland A’s, 2-1, in Minneapolis.

“It’s pretty emotional, because he’s such a good kid,” JSerra baseball coach Brett Kay said. “He meant so much to our program. He’s so close with all of our staff. If you were to create a young man, as a baseball player and a character kid, it’s Royce Lewis. I couldn’t say better things about him.”

Lewis never spent a full season with any team on his rise through the Minnesota minor league system.

After being drafted in 2017, he joined

SAN JUAN

PREP SPORTS

ROUNDUP

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

For in-game updates, news and more for all of the San Juan Capistrano high school sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

JSerra Baseball Grinds on to Division 1 Quarterfinals After an uneven opening to the season, the JSerra baseball team has caught fire over the past month and a half, and the No. 2 seed Lions have ridden their pitching and defense to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals.

JSerra (20-10) has won 14 of its past 15 games after a disastrous start to Trinity League play, where the Lions lost six of The Capistrano Dispatch May 13-26, 2022

JSerra graduate Royce Lewis made his MLB debut for the Minnesota Twins on Friday, May 6. Lewis was drafted No. 1 overall by the Twins in 2017 and was the organization’s top prospect. Photo Courtesy of Brace Hemmelgarn, Minnesota Twins

the Twins’ rookie ball team in Florida, and then moved on to the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels in Iowa. Lewis began 2018 with Cedar Rapids before going back to Florida with the High-A Fort Myers Miracle. The Aliso Viejo native opened 2019 in Fort Myers before being elevated to Double-A with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

However, it wasn’t always easy sailing to the major leagues for the Twins’ top

prospect. Prior to 2022, Lewis hadn’t played a professional season in two years since his stint in Pensacola. The 2020 minor league season was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lewis then tore his ACL ahead of the 2021 season.

However, Lewis battled back to be ready in time for spring training this season, and he was heating up across the Twin Cities from his parent club with

their first seven games.

JSerra’s pitching staff set the tone in the Division 1 opener on Friday, May 6.

Oregon State-bound senior Tyler Gough opened with two perfect innings, striking out the first six batters in the game.

JSerra went on to ring up 13 total strikeouts in a 4-1 win over West Ranch.

The Lions’ defense was the catalyst in the second round on Tuesday, May 10.

JSerra turned two double plays early to allow time for the offense to get the big hit, and it did with a bases-clearing double by junior Jonathan Mendez in the fifth inning. JSerra beat Capistrano Valley, 4-2.

JSerra now travels to Harvard-Westlake in Studio City for Division 1 quarterfinals on Friday, May 13. Harvard-Westlake beat JSerra in the Division 1 final last season, 2-0.

In other local baseball results, Capistrano Valley Christian was the No. 3 seed in Division 3, but the Eagles lost in the second round at Downey, 7-3.

championship will be played in and won by a San Juan Capistrano team on Saturday, May 14, as No. 1 seed Capistrano Valley Christian drives down Del Obispo to take on league rival and No. 3 seed St. Margaret’s.

The Eagles took both meetings against the Tartans this season—a sweep at St. Margaret’s on March 17 and a five-set match at CVCS on March 29.

St. Margaret’s will be playing for its third CIF-SS title in its sixth CIF-SS championship game. It’s the Tartans’ first CIF-SS Final since the 2015 Division 4 title game, which was also an all-San Juan Capistrano match against then-Saddleback Valley Christian. SVC won that match—its third of four consecutive titles—with head coach Ryan Van Rensselaer, who is now the head coach at Capistrano Valley Christian.

Rensselaer led CVC to its first ever CIF-SS championship last season in Division 6, which was the Eagles’ first Finals appearance.

CVC swept Katella, beat Calvary Chapel and Bolsa Grande in four sets and swept Portola to reach the title game.

St. Margaret’s swept Hemet, University

Capistrano Valley Christian, St. Margaret’s Boys Volleyball Set for Division 4 Title Game The CIF-SS Division 4 boys volleyball

Page 22

Two San Juan Capistrano high school-produced offensive linemen were selected out of the Pac-12 and into the NFL last month.

San Juan Hills graduate Sean Rhyan was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers out of UCLA on April 29, and JSerra graduate Luke Wattenberg was selected in the fifth round by the Denver Broncos out of the University of Washington on April 30.

Rhyan, San Juan Hills Class of 2019, was a three-year starting left tackle at UCLA. The 6-foot-4, 321-pound lineman was All-CIF in football for the Stallions in 2018 and CIF-SS champion in the shot put in 2019. Rhyan is the first-ever NFL Draft selection out of San Juan Hills.

Wattenberg, JSerra Class of 2016, played in the interior offensive line positions at Washington. Wattenberg is set to sign a four-year, $3.99 million contract with the Broncos. Wattenberg is the fourth JSerra player in the past five years to be selected in the NFL Draft.

and Oak Park before beating Long Beach Millikan in five sets in the semifinals.

San Juan Hills’ Schmitt, Fox Win CIF-SS Swim, Dive Titles San Juan Hills junior David Schmitt led a strong contingent of Stallions in the CIFSS championship pool on Friday, May 6, as Schmitt won the boys 100-yard butterfly title in Division 1 to become one of seven San Juan Hills boys entries to qualify for the CIF State Championships.

Along with Schmitt, senior Jake Redman qualified in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events, senior Artem Kiryukhin qualified in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle, and the Stallions’ 200yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay teams also qualified.

Also in Division 1, JSerra qualified seven girls entries and one boys entry into the CIF State Championships.

On the diving platform, San Juan Hills sophomore Taylor Fox won the CIF-SS Division 1 girls diving title on April 29, and placed first in the CIF-SS state qualifier on May 4. Fellow sophomore Avery Giese also qualified for the state diving championships. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch May 13–26, 2022

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The Capistrano Dispatch May 13–26, 2022

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