Fair Play Lacking in Mission Viejo

* Webster’s Dictionary describes democracy as “the principle of equality of rights, opportunity and treatment.”

Unfortunately, new members of the Mission Viejo City Council are at the mercy of the council majority as it relates to political appointments, as well as determining who shall serve as mayor and mayor pro tem.

The original concept was that each council member would be given an opportunity to serve in the higher titled positions.

Unfortunately, that was not to be for Larry Smith. What we have in Mission Viejo is a three-member power base who collectively control these positions.

Bill Craycraft has been mayor twice. Susan Withrow is serving in her second term as mayor. In the new administration, Sherri Butterfield will also become a two-time mayor.

We see the same power play in Lake Forest, where Kathryn McCullough, who has just been reelected, has never been able to obtain the third vote necessary for her appointment to mayor pro tem. Ironically, McCullough may be the only member of the Lake Forest City Council who recently graduated from the Orange County League of Cities’ course in which she was certified to become a mayor.

Every incumbent or new member of the City Council must be allowed to appoint selected representatives to the planning, economic development, traffic, community service and investment advisory commissions.

Obviously, every commission candidate should be qualified for these voluntary positions, have the time necessary for service, have a general understanding of the positions and the responsibility that they entail.

LARRY GILBERT

Mission Viejo