- October 16, 2021
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Richard Green21 Posts
Richard is a long-time Irvine resident focused on good government and local public policy. Richard monitors the city council and city commissions and reports on issues important to Irvine residents. Richard is co-chair of the Irvine Watchdog.
Dirty Politics: Another Anonymous Political Mailer Sent to Irvine Residents
Irvine residents have again reported receiving anonymous political mail attacking Councilman Larry Agran. The postcard shown above is the second mailer sent anonymously in recent weeks. As previously reported by the Irvine Watchdog, an earlier mailer was received by a number of residents in September. The prior mailer promoted what it called the “Irvine Four”, […]
Upcoming Council Meeting Agenda Highlights
SCAQMD Presentation on the All American Asphalt Plant (Agenda item 1.1-1.3) Since 2018, more than 800 Irvine residents have filed formal complaints with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) reporting noxious odors, sore throats, breathing problems and have expressed concerns over potential exposure to high levels of potentially dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). […]
Irvine Searches for New City Manager
The City of Irvine has hired executive recruiting firm Bob Murray and Associates to conduct a national search for a new city manager. The hiring selection is expected to be announced in September or October 2021. Irvine’s former City Manager, John Russo, abruptly announced his resignation in June 2020 due to “family reasons” after only 22 months on the […]
New Series Celebrating Irvine’s 50th Anniversary!
Irvine Watchdog will be starting a new series celebrating our city’s 50th anniversary! As we celebrate, we want to look back and reflect on the events, people, and places that helped make Irvine the great city it is today. While Irvine Watchdog’s primary role is to act as a guardian, the motivation behind our volunteerism […]
Opinion: Irvine Leaders Blame Congresswoman Katie Porter in Town Hall Confrontation
Photo credit: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times On July 11, 2021, Congresswoman Katie Porter (D- 45) held a family-friendly town hall at beautiful Ward Park in Woodbridge. The event was an opportunity for all residents, regardless of political persuasion, to ask questions, request constituent service, and listen to updates on important issues like COVID relief and […]
Orange County Power Authority Operating in the Dark
There was great excitement when the City of Irvine, after several years of effort by local environmental activists, agreed to create a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) agency and invite other Orange County cities to join in a Joint Power Authority (JPA). This was rightfully hailed as a big step toward greater community control, lower energy […]
Are We Prepared for Wildfire Season?
Welcome to Flash Back Friday! In this edition, we are re-posting a previous Irvine Watchdog article below that discussed local resident concerns with evacuation routes during the 2020 Irvine wildfire that forced 60,000 people from their homes. What lessons were learned? Do you have a family emergency plan? Has any Irvine communication procedures or evacuation […]
Council Approval of Unbudgeted Expenditure to Team Kids Violates the Brown Act and Leaves City Staff Scrambling to Fund the Expense
Irvine City Staff Scrambles to Find Funding Need For Ad Hoc Expenditure At the April 13, 2021 City Council meeting, Councilmembers voted 4-1 (with Kuo opposed) to become a Founding Sponsor of the Team Kids Conference, pledging $20,000 to do so. Questions regarding the funding prompted a public records request. The response from the city confirms the […]
Did They, or Didn’t They?
The City of Irvine has once again apparently contradicted itself. The latest example is the City’s response below to a letter from attorney Kevin Shenkman demanding that the Irvine adopt district elections or face a potential California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) lawsuit. In the city’s response, the City Attorney wrote that the city has “…already […]
City of Irvine Transparency and Ethics Resources
Welcome to Sunshine Week! Sunshine Week is recognized each year from March 14 to March 20. The week was designated as part of a nonpartisan effort for greater government transparency. If You are interested in transparency and ethics, you might start by reading the Ralph M. Brown Open Meetings Act and the California Public Records Act. Also, check […]
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