September 26, 2014

The Gridiron Princes of Saddleback Valley Christian PAGE 14

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 9, 2014 • VOLUME 12, ISSUE 18

A Thirsty Discussion City Council candidates talk water rates, Groundwater Recovery Plant E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 4

The eight candidates for San Juan Capistrano City Council opine on the city’s water rates and controversial Groundwater Recovery Plant. Photo: ©iStock.com/nattrass

San Juan Hotel Developer to Take Legal Action, Candidate Forums Scheduled and More EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Business Beat: Trio of Businesses Open in San Juan EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

San Juan Gives the Mission a Hug LIVING/PAGE 12

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week San Juan Hotel Developer to Take Legal Action THE LATEST: The developer of the San Juan Hotel & Villas project said this week that the city of San Juan Capistrano has placed unnecessary roadblocks to undermine his plan and that he now intends on taking legal action.

Joshua Host, principal of Urban Village, said in an email that City Manager Karen Brust and members of her staff have “maliciously created unnecessary obstacles for our project.” Specifically, Host said after more than a year of working his proposal toward approval, city staff said the residential component of his project required an amendment to align the General Plan with the Historic Town Center Master Plan, which was approved in 2012 and cost the city about $500,000 and two years of studying.

Host and his land-use attorneys have contended that no amendment was required and that when their project was first brought to the city, former planning directors Grant Taylor and Bill Ramsey agreed.

The amendment failed to pass on the council’s 2-2 vote on Aug. 5, with Councilmen Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve voting in opposition. Councilman John Taylor recused himself because of his residence nearby.

WHAT’S NEXT: Urban Village has yet to file a lawsuit.

“The city has not received any information, so we are not in a position to comment at this time,” Cathy Salcedo, a spokesperson for the city, said in an email.

– Brian Park

City Council Candidates to Appear at Forums THE LATEST: With the election season in full swing, the eight candidates for three seats on the San Juan Capistrano City Council have taken to the streets with campaign signs and in email inboxes with newsletters.

In the coming weeks, the candidates will be participating in a number of forums to meet with voters and discuss their platforms.

The Dispatch, the League of Women Voters and the Friends of the Library are co-hosting a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 1,

The San Juan Capistrano City Council will give final consideration on a permit request to establish a shared parking plan for Mercado El Rey market. Photo: Brian Park

from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the San Juan Capistrano Library’s La Sala Auditorium, 31495-A El Camino Real. All are welcome.

Upon entrance, guests will be able to fill out cards to ask the candidates questions, which will be sorted and screened to remove personal attacks or other inappropriate comments.

The candidates in attendance will draw numbers to determine seating order.

Following two-minute opening statements from each candidate, a moderator from the League will ask a question. All candidates may address a question and each will have the opportunity to answer first. After a round of questions, candidates will be given one minute to deliver a closing statement.

WHAT’S NEXT: There are several other candidate forums open to the community.

The Capistrano Taxpayers Association will be hosting a forum on Monday, Sept.

29, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Capistrano Community Church, 27121 Calle Arroyo, Ste. 2200. The Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates Residents Association is hosting a forum on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at their clubhouse, 26000 Avenida Aeropuerto. The Chamber of Commerce is currently planning on hosting a forum.

FIND OUT MORE: For more info about the forum, email editor@thecapistranodispatch.com. – BP

Commission Continues Laguna Glen Discussion THE LATEST: The stage was set for a lengthy discussion on the proposed Laguna Glen retirement community project Tuesday, Sept. 23 but technical difficulties caused the Planning Commission to continue their meeting.

Spieker proposes to build a 407-unit retirement community on a 35-acre site, located at 32832 Del Obispo Street, where

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26-October 9, 2014

Joshua Host, principal of Urban Village, said this week the company intends to take legal action for placing “unnecessary obstacles” for their San Juan Hotel & Villas project. Photo: Brian Park

Armstrong Garden Center currently operates a distribution center. The project also includes a health care center with 39 assisted care units, 21 memory-support care units and 41 nursing-care rooms.

The land is owned by the Vermeulen family, whose farming history in the area spans 65 years. The project requires the city to rezone the land, which is currently designated for agricultural business.

Although no plants are grown on the site, critics of the project have argued against rezoning the property and adding highdensity development.

WHAT’S NEXT: Problems with the audio and visual system in the chamber forced the commission to continue their meeting to Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

FIND OUT MORE: To read the agenda and staff report, visit www.sanjuancapistrano. org. – BP

Mercado El Rey Vote Continued THE LATEST: A decision to consider a request from a Mexican grocery store facing closure to reverse a Planning Commission vote was postponed after new information was presented to the San Juan Capistrano Page 3

City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Attorneys for Mercado El Rey and its property owner, Dove Capistrano, were denied a permit to establish a shared parking plan and potentially alleviate conflicts with nearby businesses by the commission, 3-0, on July 28.

In December, nearby property owner Dan Friess successfully sued to have the council’s 2011 decision granting Mercado El Rey a permit vacated. He argued that the market had less parking than required by city code and that overflow parking and excessive deliveries went beyond their original intent.

City staff recommended denying the market’s permit for a parking plan because based on current code, the store is too big. The market is currently using about 1,530 square feet of space for store operations, which was originally approved by the city as outdoor storage for the previous tenant, the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store in 1982. In 1992, the city allowed the thrift store to enclose the area.

WHAT’S NEXT: Attorneys for the market and Dove Capistrano presented two notarized letters from the former thrift store’s director and construction contractor, attesting to the city’s approval to enclose the outdoor space.

The council will take up the issue at their next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7. – BP

Second Major Closure Begins for I-5/Ortega Project LATEST: The southbound Interstate 5 onramp at Ortega Highway will be closed for the next five weeks, the second of a series of major closures in Caltrans’ massive interchange project.

The closure began Monday, Sept. 22 to allow Caltrans construction crews to realign and widen the ramp. Traffic on Ortega Highway will be detoured toward the southern Camino Capistrano ramps, using La Novia Avenue and San Juan Creek Road, or to the northern Junipero Serra ramps by way of Rancho Viejo Road.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following the closure, Ortega, from the bridge to Del Obispo Street, will be closed for three weeks as crews work to realign the highway to curve into Del Obispo. No pedestrian access or westbound traffic will be allowed over the bridge during this time.

That will be followed by a reduction of Ortega, from El Camino Real to Del Obispo, to one lean in each direction for four weeks, for continued realignment work and to relocate utility structures.

FIND OUT MORE: For more information, visit ortega.dot.ca.gov. – BP www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

City Council Candidates on Water

BY THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

n the Sept. 12-24 edition of The Dispatch, the eight candidates for San Juan Capistrano City Council shared which development projects concern them the most and how they would balance responsible development and the need to preserve the city’s historical character.

For our second question, we asked the candidates:

The state is in the midst of an historic drought and water remains a hot topic in San Juan Capistrano. The city adopted a new rate structure this year, replacing its contested system. Do you think the new rates effectively address some of the concerns of the previous system? Do you think the city’s Groundwater Recovery Plant is a viable solution to future water woes?

What else can the city do to address the water crisis?

Below are their responses, printed verbatim, in the order their names will appear on the ballot.

JAN SIEGEL Community Volunteer Floods and drought periods have been part of the California landscape for centuries.

In the 1850’s the fact was “that whiskey was for drinking and water was for fighting.” Not much has changed.

The new rate structure is fair to the majority of the residents. It is a complicated issue because the City is not in control of the commodity it sells. We are part of a five way split for the same water under the control of the Metropolitan Water District.

Besides the MWD there are 27 agencies that have a say in the distribution of water before we turn on our taps. Rates not only pay for the water but for the infrastructure that supports it. Our pipes are aging and we need to make sure that we have the money in place to monitor and maintain them.

The Ground Water Recovery Plant is a viable solution because it gives us options.

MWD actually pays us for not buying more from them. Desalinization is another option being explored by the City which may in the future be another choice. It is always better to have choices and options rather than relying on one entity to supply our needs.

DEREK REEVE Councilman/Constitutional Attorney I voted against every rate increase while the council majority again approved illegal tiered water rates amounting to more than 30%. The current water system is too expensive for a city our size.

The GWRP is so expensive that the rate increase will not cover operating expenses. The rates are dependent on an inflated level of production that will never be realized. When less production is acknowledged, there will be higher costs and deficits.

The majority argue that the GWRP production is cheaper than imported water.

They purposely fail to include the true cost of labor, debt, supplies, electricity, overhead, grant writing, etc., into the city water operations. Instead of acknowledging basic economic principles, the majority continues to recklessly create deficits through illegal tiered rates.

I sounded the alarm years ago that water is being pumped out of the basin by the city faster than it’s replaced. Recently the golf course which sued the city and the Basin Authority showed this to be true. Due to the majority’s mismanagement, the water aquifer will disappear and be replaced by sea water creating an economic and ecological disaster. Once gone, it’s gone forever.

The city must remove itself from the water business.

PAM PATTERSON Constitutional Attorney/ Businesswoman San Juan needs to get out of the water business, but most importantly, we need to vote a new majority into office that makes wise decisions, and represents the interests of its citizens.

The vacuum of leadership amongst the majority on the City Council has contributed greatly to San Juan’s significant water issues. Drought recurs regularly for Southern California—a foreseeable phenomenon.

Instead of a vision, and long term planning, we have: • over-pumped wells, • a threatened aquifer, • evidence of salt water in our water supply, • the highest water rates in Southern California, • an enormous debt of at least $43 million,

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26–October 9, 2014

• and expensive litigation costs (another suit was filed August 28, 2014).

The new water rates do not address the legal questions raised by local taxpayers and they do not promote conservation.

They represent a political decision by the city council majority aimed at preserving the status quo until after the election.

Their cynical aim is to buy your vote.

The new rates are not reasonably based on the cost of delivering water service. Thus they would appear to violate provisions of the California Constitution (Article XIII-D) and related laws.

save us millions in the long run and also embodies the independent spirit of San Juan Capistrano. Having our own water source protects us from main water pipe disasters. Many OC cities without their own ground water plant are now facing expensive consequences which will result in future water hikes to their residents. I believe the city must work to increase the capacity and efficiency of our pumping station while seeking collaborative partners to keep costs to our citizens down.

The key is working together to maximize our return on investment.

JOHN TAYLOR Businessman/ Councilmember Our adoption of new water rates began with an in-depth study of all of the costs to bring safe clean drinking water to our residents, including any capital improvements that are essential to keep the system from falling into expensive emergency repairs. We also gathered input from citizens at four community forums and at several City Council meetings. In the end, we chose a rate system that was fair to all of our residents, one that had the least amount of cost and also did not raise sewer rates for the next four years.

Groundwater is an important source of water for our city. The Groundwater Recovery Plant takes this water and makes it pure and safe for us to drink. In the future, we should look to recharging the aquifer with water from storm run-off as well as injection of recycled water into the ground upstream. This will help preserve our groundwater for many years. With water shortages a fact of life in Southern California, the city needs to seriously look at ocean water desalinization as a long-range solution. In addition, we should encourage conservation by utilizing drought tolerant native plants in our yards and public landscaping.

STEPHANIE FRISCH Independent Insurance Broker The situation with our water supply in California is dire. We are in a severe drought.

It makes sense to take advantage of capturing groundwater before we lose it forever into the ocean which is what the Ground Water Recovery Plant does. Everything seems to increase in price over the years; a resource as valuable as water increases in price too.

Other than our Groundwater Recovery plant, we get our water from the Colorado River and the Bay Area Delta. We are not “first in line” to receive water from these sources, and as water sources deplete, our price to purchase that water grows and our access to it lessens.

The Groundwater Recovery plant isn’t without issues, but I agree with the majority that I have interviewed that it is something we can’t walk away from—a safe reliable source of water.

We may need to look at reducing the amount of water that we get from the GWRP to help maintain the water levels in the aquifer below us. We also need to be looking at alternative sources of water, like desalination and more emphasis should be put on water conservation.

-Stephanie Frisch www.stephaniefrisch.com

ROBERT WILLIAMS Architect/Business Owner Water is a critical issue demanding us to pull together to seek thoughtful solutions which requires proven, unbiased and collaborative leadership.

The previous water billing system was grossly unfair as average residential users were quickly accelerated into a top tier rate. Our new tier system is a step in the right direction but unfortunately coincided with huge increases in water costs to the city. Our solution must be strategic and won’t be solved by simply arguing over tier systems.

Our Ground Water Recovery Plant is visionary. Sometime ago, citizens had the foresight that water costs from outside sources would only increase over the years. Pumping our own water will

Page 4

KERRY FERGUSON Businesswoman/ Educator The city council majority has handled water issues recklessly. It’s time for new leadership.

The majority’s 2010 water rate structure was judged illegal.

The new water rate structure isn’t much better. In a cynical decision by the council majority to buy votes, conservation is not encouraged. Most water users’ allocations increase 50% before higher rates apply. Not based on costs of delivery, they still appear to violate provisions of the California Constitution (Article XIII-D) and related laws. Rates are still the highest in the area due to extremely high costs of building and operating the Ground Water Recovery Plant (GWRP).

(Cont. on page 5) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 4) Despite drought, the council majority continued pumping more and more. Recently, San Juan Capistrano was ordered to shut down two wells, hoping to restore water levels. Over-pumping has left vegetation dying in the creek bed and sea water intruding, risking aquifer collapse all together. The golf course has sued.

We must reduce water consumption and the cost of running our GWRP. The council majority refuses to face this, willing to put our aquifer and fiscal security at risk to stay in office. Ultimately, we must develop other sources—desalinization, reclaimed water, MWD water. We can do better! I ask for your vote.

LARRY KRAMER Retired Submarine Captain I was very involved in the development of the current rate structure. It was created based upon reasonable assumptions on the cost of water and anticipated changes. Our city held public hearings and workshops to obtain input from residents. In the end, it is a fair sharing of the costs of providing reliable and safe water to our residents. Use more, pay more.

The Ground Water Recovery Plant is one method of diversifying our source of water and is providing a significant portion

of our water—water we do not have to buy from Metropolitan Water District. We are looking at increased use of recycled water and water desalinization as other methods to diversify and increase reliability.

Public education is important. We live in a desert climate and it is necessary to use water efficiently. We will continue to determine if more outdoor watering can be converted to recycled water and to find additional sources of recycled water. We are working collaboratively in the region with other organizations, including San Juan Basin Authority and South Orange County Watershed Management Area to more efficiently manage limited water resources. We will continue to explore every option to conserve and use water wisely.

Stay with The Dispatch for ongoing coverage of the San Juan Capistrano City Council election.

In our next issue, due Friday, Oct. 10, we ask our candidates: The lack of parking in downtown San Juan Capistrano is becoming an increasing concern. What further steps do you think the city can take to enhance parking opportunities downtown? What potential solutions would you offer?

We also want to hear from you. Tell us what you think about the candidates’ answers by commenting online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capodispatch. CD

Edison to Host SONGS Education Meeting in San Juan

BY JIM SHILANDER, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

R

esidents with questions about the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will have the opportunity to speak with Southern California Edison employees and get information on the decommissioning process at an educational event to be held Monday, Sept. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion.

Edison announced in June 2013 that it

A pair of meetings to discuss the decommissioning process of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will take place in San Juan Capistrano over the next two weeks. File photo

Page 5

would be closing the plant, which had been shut down since January 2012 following issues with its steam generator tubes. The decommissioning process is expected to take several decades.

The utility has created a Community Engagement Panel made up of elected officials from Orange and San Diego counties, as well as representatives from the environmental and business communities and other stakeholders. Past meetings of the commission have focused on the timeline for the decommissioning process, as well as the question of long term storage of spent nuclear fuel at the plant site.

The next Edison Community Engagement Panel meeting will also be held at the Community Center on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. The meeting will focus on emergency planning and preparedness during the decommissioning process.

One safety measure, the distribution of potassium iodine tablets to residents, has been suspended by several Orange County cities, including San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente, due to the plant no longer being in operation. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Business Beat

Unified extended through 2019, is an accredited, tuition-free school that offers classes entirely online. Teachers tailor their instruction to individual students’ needs and skill levels, especially at the elementary level, said Executive Director Richard Savage.

“We have a very rigorous curriculum,” Savage said. “In our environment, we have highly qualified and credentialed California teachers.”

In the decade since opening, Savage said the school has seen a steady growth in enrollment, around 10 to 20 percent annually. The school draws students from Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside counties, and this year, enrollment is at 2,500 students.

The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and most high school-level courses are University of California approved. Savage said around 85 to 90 percent of graduat-

News from San Juan’s business community

BY BRIAN PARK

Now Open YOGURT ZONE 31888 Del Obispo Street, C-9, 949.441.7601, www.yogurtzone.com San Juan Capistrano residents have a new place to satisfy their sweet teeth.

Frozen yogurt franchise Yogurt Zone opened its newest location in San Juan Capistrano Sept. 9. To celebrate, owner Jaime Porter invited patrons to enjoy free frozen yogurt that weekend.

“It’s really nice the way the city welcomed us, even with the permit applications. It’s all been a pleasure,” said Porter, who runs the business with his family: wife, Gabriela; daughter, Nicole; and son, Justin.

Porter said he decided to open up the self-serve yogurt shop after seeing a vacancy while walking through town with his family.

“They needed something like this, where people from San Juan Capistrano can feel welcome,” Porter said.

Yogurt lovers have their pick of 16 flavors, including gluten-free, sugarless, non-dairy and low- and non-fat varieties. There are also 24 toppings, including fresh fruit, boba, candy pieces and

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK

All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher.

The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Friday, September 19 DISTURBANCE Roundtree Court, 26200 Block (12:31 p.m.) A caller, who is renting a room at a residence, said the renter was playing music loudly and refusing to turn it down.

The caller said the renter is known to smoke drugs.

San Juan Capistrano residents can now enjoy selfserve frozen yogurt in their own town, after Jaime Porter (above) and his family opened Yogurt Zone this month. Photo: Brian Park

cheesecake bites. Yogurts cost $0.42 per ounce.

CAPISTRANO CONNECTIONS ACADEMY 33272 Valle Road, 800-382-6010, www. capistranoconnectionsacademy.com Capistrano Connections Academy, an online K-12 charter school, opened its new headquarters in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Aug. 25.

As the local branch of the California Connections Academy school, the new office will provide space for administrators and teachers to conduct online lessons and craft their curriculum for students.

The academy, which recently had its charter agreement with Capistrano

Capistrano Connections Academy, an online K-12 charter school, opened its new administrative office in San Juan Capistrano on Aug. 25. They were welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce, the City Council and Capistrano Unified. Courtesy photo

arrow, were out on northbound Camino Capistrano at Stonehill Drive. A message was left with the city.

sedan were seen circling a parking lot.

The caller thought they may be doing drugs.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Verdugo Street, 26700 Block (10:08 a.m.)

A homeless encampment was discovered at the end of the train platform.

WELFARE CHECK Paseo Fiesta, 27400 Block (5:40 a.m.)

A woman asked police to check up on a man who told her he was disoriented and kept asking for help but would not elaborate. The man, who was described to be 50 years old, tall and slender and wearing a light-colored shirt with dark pants, was seen walking on Via Fortuna.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-NON INJURY Junipero Serra Road/Camino Capistrano (8:52 a.m.) A school bus was involved in an accident with a parked vehicle. No students were on the bus, but heavy-duty towing was required.

Wednesday, September 17

Thursday, September 18 PATROL CHECK Stonehill Drive/Camino Capistrano (1:07 p.m.) All traffic lights, except for a green

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Verdugo Street, 26700 Block (10:45 p.m.)

A man and a woman in a damaged silver

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26-October 9, 2014

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano/Forster Street (9:09 p.m.) A man with a goatee was seen smoking drugs at Historic Town Center Park, according to a caller. He was later detained.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Rosenbaum Road, 29500 Block (1:55 p.m.)

A man called police after a woman came into his garage with a small dog. The man told dispatch that he believed the woman was on meth because he used to use it himself and knew the signs. The Orange County Fire Authority then responded to what was deemed a possible overdose.

They had initial difficulty finding the man’s house but eventually transported the woman to Mission Hospital.

VANDALISM IN PROGRESS La Zanja Street, 26500 Block (12:27 a.m.)

A caller said a man, who they had discovered tagging in the area, was running away on southbound Los Rios Street with his shirt in hand.

Page 6

ing students go on to post-secondary education, including four-year and two-year colleges. He noted that last year, students went on to UPenn, Columbia University and the University of Southern California LAURA’S HOUSE 31878 Del Obispo Street, Suite 104, 949.218.6400, www.laurashouse.org Laura’s House, a Ladera Ranch-based nonprofit, has opened a new resale store in San Juan Capistrano that will support the organization’s mission to help victims of domestic violence.

The San Juan Capistrano store is Laura’s House’s second location, in addition to one in Ladera Ranch. The store resells donated high-quality merchandise, including clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children and some home furnishings.

Proceeds from the store go toward the organization’s emergency shelter, transitional housing and counseling programs.

This year marks the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary. During that time, Laura’s House has provided shelter and support to more than 4,000 women and children, as well as counseling, education and legal assistance to more than 45,000 people.

The store is currently accepting donations, which must be in good condition. The San Juan Capistrano location only accepts furniture on an as-needed basis and must be approved by emailing resalestore@laurashouse.org. The store cannot accept mattresses, electronics, major appliances, kitchenware and torn, damaged or intimate apparel.

Tuesday, September 16 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Paseo Adelanto, 31700 Block (9:14 p.m.)

A man said another man kept following him and his fiancé. Whenever the couple turned back to look at the man, he would just into the bushes.

WELFARE CHECK Del Obispo Street, 32200 Block (8:23 p.m.)

A concerned caller asked police to check on a woman who had fallen off her bicycle and was bleeding but continued to ride on southbound Del Obispo Street.

CITIZEN ASSIST Camino Capistrano, 32800 Block (1:15 p.m.) A man was upset that his car had been scratched after a car wash. The man was notified that this was a civil issue, but he insisted on speaking with a deputy.

Monday, September 15 DRUNK IN PUBLIC Camino Capistrano, 31900 Camino Capistrano A drunken man was sitting on a stool outside a barbershop, yelling obscenities at passersby. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: By Joshua Host, Urban Village

Left No Choice

San Juan Hotel & Villas developer says he will take legal action against the city

A

fter seven public hearings, we were elated to receive Planning Commission approval in May for the San Juan Hotel & Villas project. That joy soon dissipated as city staff decided to renegotiate agreements and make new ultimatums.

It became obvious that staff leadership was bent on delaying the project from reaching City Council for a hearing.

We lost our first hotel operator because the city added new terms, but fortunately, this time, we were able to reach a modified agreement with the current hotel operator. I met with the City Attorney three days before the council hearing, gave him the news that we were able to comply with the city’s new ultimatum and went back to my office with a big sigh of relief.

Three hours after leaving the City Attorney’s office, I received a call from Charlie View, director of development services. Mr. View informed me that he had researched the General Plan and came to the conclusion that the city had not completed the necessary steps required for the Historic Town Center Master Plan to be consistent with the General Plan, so the City Council would be unable to vote on our project at the hearing.

Our land-use attorney sent an email the next morning with findings that a General Plan amendment was not required. Mr. View did not respond to the email. Hans Van Ligten, the City Attorney, went a step further and said it would be illegal for the council to vote on the project.

After 19 months of overcoming red tape,

staff leadership had finally created an obstacle that had nothing to do with our project, leaving us helpless. An insider with the city told me that an order had come down from the top to delay the project

By Joshua Host and this was the method Mr. View used to accomplish the objective.

The GPA was drafted by staff, approved by Planning Commission and then heard by City Council on Aug. 5. This was supposed to be a fix-it bill to correct alleged internal consistencies between the planning documents. Councilman John Taylor recused himself because he lives within 500 feet of the Historic Town Center boundary. Councilmen Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve voted against the GPA, resulting in a hung council and default denial of the GPA, effectively nullifying years of work and over $500,000 of taxpayer money spent on the HTC Master Plan.

In the Aug. 22-Sept. 11 issue of The Dispatch, Councilman Byrnes wrote a guest column, explaining that he had voted against the project to send a message to the developer. The sad fact is that Councilman Byrnes did not vote against our project—he voted against a GPA to correct the zoning in the Historic Town Center. To spite our project, Councilmen Byrnes and Reeve gutted the HTC Master Plan, leaving 44 acres of land-owners in limbo with respect to their zoning.

Since Aug. 5, we have made every

attempt to work with staff leadership and avoid legal action. We have been ignored and rebuffed in a game of hot potato. On Sept. 11, we provided staff with a legal land use analysis that found the HTC Master Plan had been properly integrated into the General Plan and no GPA was required to hear our project. The legal memo also exonerated Grant Taylor and Bill Ramsey who held this same position and had been used as the scapegoats for the fabricated issue.

Staff leadership has been more focused on protecting their jobs than protecting the residents of San Juan from another expensive law suit. After over $1.1 million invested into the San Juan Hotel & Villas project and 21 months of entitlement work, the city has left us with no alternative but to proceed with legal action.

It is irrelevant whether you are for or against the project. Every resident and business owner in San Juan Capistrano deserves a fair process that is free from the manipulation of a powerful few.

Joshua Host is a partner and co-founder of Urban Village. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and is a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley. Joshua lives in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two young children. 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 The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@the capistranodispatch.com

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ART/DESIGN

Letters to the Editor COUNCILMAN REEVE IS WORTHY OF ADMIRATION —John Perry, San Juan Capistrano On Sept. 10, Matt Gaffney, editor of the San Juan Cares blog, wrote a hit piece about Councilman Derek Reeve that needs to be addressed. Gaffney’s article, “Derek the Deadbeat,” was intended to smear Mr. Reeve for a bankruptcy that happened years ago. A majority of Mr. Reeve’s debts consisted of student loans.

The old saying “walk a mile in another man’s shoes before criticizing him” seems to apply in this case. Mr. Reeve is a quadriplegic who has been confined to a wheelchair all of his life, so there is no way that Mr. Gaffney can ever walk in his shoes or begin

to measure up to his accomplishments.

Mr. Reeve has accomplished more from his wheelchair without the use of his hands or feet than most able-bodied people do during their lifetimes. He has graduated from the University of Southern California law school and has passed the bar exam to practice law in California. He is a husband and father to two boys and is a sitting councilman who is now seeking reelection.

Mr. Reeve is a staunch conservative on financial matters, seeking to protect the taxpayers from the progressive spending practices of our current council majority of Larry Kramer, John Taylor and Sam Allevato. He has repeatedly been chastised for voting against the majority on issues of development, traffic and most importantly, keeping the failed Groundwater Recovery Plant operating. This is why the three councilmen have their surrogates try to persuade the public that Mr. Reeve is a deadbeat.

Derek did have to default on his student

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26-October 9, 2014

loans when he thought he could overcome his handicaps by earning a law degree and working for a law firm. Much to his surprise, major law firms do not hire handicapped persons. He has tried to maintain his private law practice to earn enough money to pay his debts and support his growing family.

I count Mr. Reeve as one of my friends who I admire for his courage and integrity.

We should all celebrate the fact that despite his awesome handicaps, Derek is a contributing member of our community and is a role model for all those who are challenged.

I will be voting for Derek Reeve on Nov. 4, 2014.

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@thecapistranodispatch.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

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SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Catherine Manso, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 12, Issue 18. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch ) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (www. 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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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for students and seniors. 28000 Marguerite Pkwy., Mission Viejo. To purchase tickets or for more info, call 949.582.4656 or visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around San Juan COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 26 AROMATHERAPY YOGA 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Elevate all your senses at this gentle yoga class featuring essential oils for cancer prevention. Donation based. Funds donated will be given to the Cancer Research Center. Sun Salute Yoga, 24582 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, (949) 371-6097.

QUILTERS: A MUSICAL 8 p.m. Tickets $20, $15 for students.

Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

SWING SHIFT 7:30 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Saturday | 27 GARDENING TO ATTRACT MONARCH BUTTERFLIES 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Susie Vanderlip, a monarch butterfly citizen scientist assisting in Monarch Health Initiative research, will talk about what plants best attract the beautiful insects.

Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano. For more info, call 949.728.0685 or visit www.californianativeplants.com.

THE ARK OF SAN JUAN RESCUED PET ADOPTIONS 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dogs and puppies at PetsPlus, 32022 Camino Capistrano. Noon-4 p.m. Cats at PetSmart. 33963 Doheny Park Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

SOLAR WORKSHOP 11 a.m.-noon. An informational workshop on solar technology, federal tax credits, incentives, case studies, how to pick a

EDITOR’S PICK SEPTEMBER 27: SATURDAY MOVIES IN THE PARK Dusk. The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition invites families to enjoy the film Secretariat at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 La Pata Rd., San Juan Capistrano. For more info, call 949.234.1696 or visit www.sjcec.org.

solar contractor and the Orange County Solar Program at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion. Includes lunch. To RSVP, call 1.800.

SULLIVAN or visit www.ocsolarprogram.com.

Sunday | 28 NATURE HIKE 8 a.m.-9 a.m. Join the park rangers at Caspers Wilderness Park for an easy onemile hike on the nature trail. Wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes. Sunscreen, water and insect repellant recommended.

Meet at the Old Corral Day Use area. Rain will cancel the hike. Cost is free, $5 parking. For more info, call 949.923.2210 or visit www.ocparks.com/caspers.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR 1 p.m. Take a docent-led, 1.5-hour tour of San Juan Capistrano with the Historical Society. Visit adobes built in the 1790s and take a stroll down Los Rios Street. Meet at the train depot platform. $2 donation for adults, $1 for children. For more info, call 949.493.8444 or visit www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

ISLAND FANTASEA LUAU 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The Sand Dollar Guild hosts an island-style party at the Ocean Institute with music, food, libations, opportunity drawings, a silent auction and dance and limbo contests. Proceeds benefit the Ocean Institute. Tickets are $65 per person. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.496.2274 ext. 412.

Monday | 29 HELP WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, STRESS, ANGER 10:45 a.m. Recovery International provides help with gaining control over distressing emotions and tools to improve coping skills. Meetings held every Monday. Donation requested but not required. El Toro Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, 949.380.0809, www.lowselfhelpsystems.org.

COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Live music, steak night and happy hour prices at The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

BICYCLES AND JAZZ AT SADDLEBACK 7:30 p.m. As part of his 1,800-mile Acoustic Bicycle Tour, cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum will perform a jazz duet with bassist Mark Dresser in the McKinney Theatre at Saddleback College. Bynum is nearing the end of his five-week bicycle journey down the West Coast. General admission $10, $7

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26-October 9, 2014

Tuesday | 30 $2 TUESDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S Enjoy $2 tacos and drink specials. Shades of J performs on stage. The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

On Stage at the Coach House: Easy Star All-Stars

Wednesday | 01 DOWNTOWN SJC FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from around 40 vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. Occurs every Wednesday. www.farmersmarketsjc.com.

Saturday | 04 ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR 10 a.m. A guided tour of San Juan Capistrano’s historic adobes, Spanish-era dwellings and modern buildings. Occurs every Saturday. Meet at the train depot on Verdugo St. $5 donation benefits the Friends of the Library. For more info, visit www.sjcfol.org.

ACORN DAY 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ranger-led hikes, interpretive programs for families and activities for kids, including crafts, games, storytelling, puppet show and a petting zoo at O’Neill Regional Park. Guests are invited to reserve a campsite and stay at the park for the day. Free. Parking $5. 30892 Trabuco Canyon Rd., Trabuco Canyon.

For more info, call 949.923.2260 or visit www.ocparks.com/parks/oneill.

Sunday | 05 THE VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop and stroll along Avenida Del Mar, in the heart of historic downtown San Clemente on the first Sunday of every month, where close to 70 gifted artisans sell their hand-crafted art and fine crafts. Explore a variety of exceptional work including fine art, photography, ceramics, wood work, botanicals, knits, jewelry, leather goods, metal work, organic textiles, natural body products, fused and blown glass and much more. 949.395.7008. www.villagesanclemente.org.

Thursday | 09 LIVE! AT THE MUSEUM 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Trombonist Kurt Ferguson and Friends perform as part of the concert series at the Laguna Beach Art Museum.

Free for members, non-members pay $7 general admission, $5 for students and

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Courtesy photo

T

he Easy Star All-Stars, one of the top international reggae acts, will be coming to The Coach House on Sunday, Sept. 28.

The band is currently in the middle of the West Coast swing of their anniversary tour, celebrating their most popular album, Dub Side of the Moon, a tribute to the Pink Floyd album, The Dark Side of the Moon.

“It’s fun because you’ll get a lot of fans who’ll say they were in their college dorm room the first time they heard Dub Side, but there’s also a whole generation of fans who were young when it came out,” said drummer Ivan Katz, who goes by the stage name, Ive09.

The band has been performing the album in its entirety, said Katz. In addition to Dub Side songs, the band will be performing a selection for their other tribute albums, Thrillah (Michael Jackson’s Thriller), Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band) and Radiodread (Radiohead’s OK Computer), as well as originals.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Tatanka open for the Easy Star All-Stars.

Doors open at 5 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25. There is a two-drink minimum, unless you make dinner reservations, which give you priority seating. To purchase tickets or make reservations, call 949.496.8930 or visit www.thecoachhouse.com.

The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. —Brian Park seniors. Reservations available online at www.lagunaartmuseum.org or call 949.494.8971 ext. 203. 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach. For more info, call 949.715.9713 or visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

Have an event? Send your listing to events@ thecapistranodispatch.com

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Dirt Therapy by Marianne Taylor

Get Out Your Garden Tools, It’s Time To Plant

T

his is my all-time favorite time of year: autumn, brisk mornings, amber-lit afternoons, the fresh smell of mulch and a hearty amount of plants, bulbs and seeds waiting to get assigned to their raised beds.

Who says gardens can’t grow in fall and winter? In Southern California, we live in a wonderful climate that supports yearround flower and vegetable gardens. Here are some gardening tips to help with your fall and winter planting.

VEGETABLES It’s time to pull out summer vegetables that have stopped producing. I like to purchase organic six packs of seasonal vegetables including beets, cabbage, broccoli, celery, cauliflower, turnips and more. Because our climate stays above freezing—except for a couple of nights in January and February—it’s safe to plant vegetables all year long.

Be sure to plant in well-cultivated and amended soil. With the current drought we’re in, hand water early in the morning to get the young vegetables established.

Until the winter rains come to California its best to continue hand-watering daily in the morning.

When planting vegetables in containers, you want to make sure that your pots have good drainage, otherwise the roots will start to rot and your vegetables will not be happy.

FLOWERS Our typically warm days with cool at nights are the ideal climate for planting an array of flowers now for fall, winter and spring blooms. Some of these easy-to-grow flowers are asters, alyssum, calendula, chrysanthemums, pansies, poppies, pin cushion, sweet peas and snapdragons. If planting from seed, keep the seeded area moist and shaded until the seedlings are at least several inches tall. This will protect the delicate plants from the sun’s warm rays.

NATIVES This is the season for an easy-care garden using native plants. They are my favorite natural choice. Natives tolerate drought once their roots are established.

Unless your soil is compacted and drains poorly, don’t bother amending it before planting—most of these plants adapted to native soils long ago. And forget fertilizer; they rarely need it.

SOIL PREPARATION If you have an ambitious gardening agenda, now is the time to reinvigorate your flower and vegetable garden beds. After removing tired vegetables and annual flowers, loosen the DIRT THERAPY

By Marrianne soil and mix in three to Taylor four inches of compost.

The compost will add nutrients to the soil that will give your new plantings what they need to grow. If you are planting in a new area, water the area deeply, remove weeds, break up the soil and then add compost.

Mulch is a covering spread over soil in your garden. A layer of mulch will provide important benefits: reducing the occurrence of insects and other pests; preventing moisture from evaporating, in turn, reducing the amount of water needed; and act as a weed blocker.

Mulch also is an insulator to keep the soil safe from extreme heat or cold. It can also be used as an attractive groundcover.

LAWN DECISIONS Lose the lawn. Many homeowners have abandoned watering their lawns to save on water bills. Now is a good time to decide whether to cut back on the amount of lawn in your yard (some homeowner associations require residents maintain a certain amount of lawn). Many cities give rebates to remove the lawn. Much of a lawn (particularly around the edges) can be replaced with drought-tolerant ground cover. Also, keep an eye out for Santa Ana winds, which lower humidity and soak up water from the soil. When these winds occur, keep any new plants well hydrated.

Time spent now in the garden will yield beautiful, bountiful beneficial flowers, vegetables and native blooms this winter and spring. Happy gardening.

Marianne Taylor is a 24-year resident of San Juan Capistrano, in the Los Rios Historic District. She is married to City Councilman John Taylor and mother to 24-yearold Harrison and 16-year-old Claire. 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 Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26-October 9, 2014

An aerial photo of the Hands Around the Mission event. Photo: Mission San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano Gives the Mission a Big Hug

T

his year marks Orange County’s 125th anniversary and as the birthplace of the county, San Juan Capistrano celebrated the occasion by embracing its most iconic landmark.

More than 1,000 people gathered at Mission San Juan Capistrano and clasped their hands to give “the Jewel of the California Missions” a big hug on Saturday, Sept. 13.

And while the “hug” fell just short of surrounding the entire Mission, residents, city officials and visitors braved the heat to hold their hands around the historic grounds for about 10 minutes, as documented by an aerial drone camera.

The event was just the beginning of what was a full day of activities around town, celebrating the county’s birthday.

At Historic Town Center Park, guests enjoyed live music, dancing and vendors, in addition to the regular Second Saturday Art and Antique Fair. Around town, including in the Los Rios Historic District, volunteers set up family-friendly activities and displays, and performers from the 1880s reenactment group Spurs and Satin and the Camino Real Playhouse also showed visitors what life used to be like in San Juan Capistrano.

The event was organized by the Mission, the city’s Economic Preservation Subcommittee and Spurs and Satin members Nancy Ingham and John “Fish” Fischle.

For more photos and to watch a video of the event, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. CD

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s 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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See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED AD ONLINE AT WWW.THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 From 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Furniture, electronics, books, clothes and more! Located on Danafir in the Dana Woods community off of Golden Lantern.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@thecapistranodispatch.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY

HELP WANTED GARDENER/HANDYMAN Looking for someone full time to help do gardening and maintenance work at my home in San Juan Capistrano area. Contact Jack @ 714-231-8942 or submit resume @ jack@ jntmgmt.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 27126 Paseo Espada, Suite 1604, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

BANKING

Independence Bank

32291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A, 949.373.8963, www.independence-bank.net

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICIANS

After-Hours Electric

Excel Electric

32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, 949.493.7769, www.excelelectric.com

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

Excel Electric - CA #793860

32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, 949.493.7769, www.excelelectric.com

HOME ORGANIZATION

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move!

949.355.3487, www.getorganizedandmove.com

MOLD REMOVAL

Jarvis Restoration

31942 Paseo Sagrado, 949.362.5388, www.jarvisrestoration.com

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

San Juan Photo & Digital 32301 Camino Capistrano, 949.661.5668, www.sjcphotodigital.com

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

JEWELER

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design

32382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, 949.493.3632, www.abbysdesigns.com

Ca Lic #697355 714.396.2188, 949.573.8386, www.bbb.org The Capistrano Dispatch September 26–October 9, 2014

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Bryan Krueger Enterprises, Inc. 33208 Paseo De Cerveza, Ste. B, 949.212.0499

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SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 32032 Del Obispo Street, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION/ RESTORATION

Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc.

714.757.3490, CA License #789312 www.yorbalindatilemarble.com

WATER DAMAGE

Jarvis Restoration

31942 Paseo Sagrado, 949.362.5388, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WOMEN’S CLOTHING & HANDBAG BOUTIQUE

Dress Well Boutique

33712 Calle Miramar, 949.922.8044, www.DressWellBoutique.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY

USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Q&A with St. Margaret’s Quarterback Ryan O’Hare

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

St. Margaret’s senior quarterback Ryan O’Hare has the Tartans sitting at 3-0 this season. Photo: Pro Action Photos

enior Ryan O’Hare had the unenviable position of stepping in at quarterback for the St. Margaret’s football team this offseason. O’Hare was replacing former standout Josh Davis, a three-year varsity starter who was among the most productive athletes in school history and took the program to lofty postseason heights, including an appearance in the CIF-SS East Valley Division title game in 2013. Davis is now at Division I Football Championship Subdivision Lafayette University in Pennsylvania.

Needless to say, the expectations are high for 2014, as the Tartans return several key players to the roster.

But the pressure has not rattled O’Hare, who has calmly guided the Tartans to a 3-0 record this season. O’Hare has been leading a potent offense that has scored 108 points in two games and is set to face Laguna Beach High School on the road tonight at 7 p.m.

We caught up with O’Hare to get his thoughts on earning the starting job and

how he’s handled running such a prolific offense.

The Capistrano Dispatch: What was the pressure like when you learned you were going to take over at quarterback after Josh Davis?

Ryan O’Hare: Josh was a great quarterback. They are big shoes to fill having to fill in for a guy who is playing at Lafayette and in Division I. But when I was told I’d be the starter I never thought “Oh no, I have to fill Josh’s shoes.” I thought, “Great, let’s prepare for week one.” And that’s the way I’ve been looking at it every single week, every game.

I’m not concerned with how many passing yards I have at the end of a game.

If I had five yards passing and we win…

I don’t care it’s a win. I don’t know if that matches up with what people want to see.

But I’m more concerned with matching (Davis) in wins than his stats.

CD: What’s the biggest difference between this year’s team and last year’s version?

RO: It’s a different environment in practice. Last year people were able to turn on a switch during games. Now, people are

ready for the whole week of practice. And I think that shows with the scores. People can say you’re playing lower ranked teams but I think our scores so far show how much work we put in and how much better we prepare than the other teams.

CD: You’re surrounded by versatile playmakers like Nick Shanks and Oscar Gomez on offense, what’s it like playing with them and how do you get them all involved?

RO: It makes my job easier. There’s always a lot of pressure playing quarterback and to know I have four good receivers and two good running backs makes my life a lot easier. I can get the ball to the running back and not worry about losing it. I’m confident they can get us that 10 yards when we need it. And the receivers will get those yards.

It makes our offense more versatile and a lot more deadly when you have as many weapons as we do.

CD: You played linebacker last year. Do you miss playing defense at all?

RO: I miss it a little bit. I miss getting those hits in. But I like quarterback a lot and I’m enjoying it a little bit more. CD

Junior Warriors on the Gridiron Saddleback Valley Christian junior high school football team unique to the area

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

ut on the football field at Saddleback Valley Christian School, pint-sized middle school students gather for practice three days a week. But these are not typical junior high school practices, where you are likely to see youngsters playing flag football. Instead, the mini-Warriors don pads and helmets to play tackle football as part of the sevenmember Christian Football League.

There are multiple youth tackle football programs in Orange County, such as Pop Warner, but Saddleback Valley Christian offers students grades 6-8 a unique chance to wear their school colors and play the full-contact sport.

The program is run in the same vein as Saddleback Valley Christian’s varsity team. During practice, players are broken down by position and work with specific coaches. Linebackers run drills while receivers work on fine-tuning routes. They adopt the varsity’s offensive schemes and run simplified versions of them.

Most players who stick with the junior high program through their eighth grade season go on to join the ranks of the Warriors’ junior varsity or varsity teams. By the time they get there, they will already

feel at home.

“The offense we run is like the varsitylite. We take (the varsity) playbook … and we simplify it to make it easier for our kids to understand them and run them,” head coach Hutton Fitch said. “And that’s the point. We want them to be ready to go…

We want them to be prepared for it at the next level. This is a good transition for them.”

Where the junior high team is most similar to the high school squad is on offense. They learn the same varsity play calls, positioning and alignment. Fitch and his staff even film the team’s games so the players grow accustomed to watching tape. First-year varsity head coach Brian Pearsall also lends a hand during practices.

“We use the varsity’s system and the same plays as varsity,” eighth grade linebacker Joseph Ragsdale of San Juan Capistrano said. “It’s unique. Not all schools do it.”

The minor league-style system has paid dividends for the Warriors in recent years, as they’ve risen through the ranks at the high school level since the junior high school program’s inception four years ago.

The Warriors varsity team has made the playoffs every year since 2011, the rosters

The Capistrano Dispatch September 26-October 9, 2014

The Saddleback Valley Christian junior high school football team competes in the seven-member Christian Football League. Photo: Steve Breazeale

dotted with players who came up from the junior high team.

Because they are the only school in Orange County that plays tackle football, that means the team has to do a lot of traveling during their six-game season. There are no team busses and the team relies heavily on parent carpools to games, which take place primarily in Riverside County.

The level of past football experience for newcomers to the team is usually split

Page 14

down the middle, Fitch said. About half of the players who sign up have either played some form of youth tackle football and others are brand new to the sport. That places an importance on learning the fundamentals, like proper tackling technique and body positioning.

The Warriors are off to a 0-1 start to their season and were set to play Calvary Murrieta on Sept. 25. Results were not available at press time. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com