I want to revisit the issue of Orange County Public Works issuing citations and cease and desist letters to Ladera Ranch neighborhoods for holiday lights decorations. From what I can gather, employees of the OC Public Works Department issued at least 21 citations in Ladera Ranch, including multiple citations in my neighborhood *on Christmas Eve* no less. The citations required individual homeowners to either take lights down that day or apply for an encroachment permit – which costs $583 per house for administration costs as well as requiring a $1,000 bond and proof of a $1 million liability insurance policy. While the County likes to talk about safety and give specific examples of lights being strung across streets as justification for this enforcement action, in our neighborhood there was not one case of that circumstance. Every citation issued in our neighborhood was for extension cords running across the sidewalk (most duct taped down for safety) or lights being wrapped around street light poles or sign posts. Thats it. There was no safety issue at all. In my opinion, this is an example of a regulatory bureaucracy being allowed to run amok because local officials refuse to exercise any discretion or common sense. On the other hand, let me put a positive, human face on the holiday lights decorations. Our neighborhood puts on the light show for the benefit of the hundreds, possibly thousands of local residents who drive or walk our streets enjoying the lights. The residents spend their own time and money to put up the lights. Every weekend night in December, local families host a hot chocolate stand and pass out free hot chocolate and treats to our visitors. One night, local residents who are in a band put on an impromptu concert on their driveway! All we ask in return is a voluntary donation to a childrens charity. Other neighborhoods do the same thing. Last year, our chosen charitable cause was to buy toys for children at Childrens Hospital of Orange County. This year, our cause was to fund research for NGLY1 Deficiency, an ultra-rare genetic disorder that is known to affect only 20 children in the world, but amazingly affects two in Ladera Ranch! See the video below for more information on NGLY1 Deficiency (Rare is not an excuse). So if you are following along, when the OC Public Works shuts down holiday lights displays in Ladera Ranch, they are adversely affecting real people who are spending their own time and money for the betterment of this community we live in. In 2015, I would like to see the Orange County Board of Supervisors implement a common sense approach to holiday lights decorations. In the alternative, our local master homeowners association (LARMAC) should obtain a permit on behalf of all Ladera Ranch homeowners. In my opinion, what happened this year is both absurd and offensive. Thank you for indulging my rant. To my Orange County friends, feel free to tag or share this post as you deem appropriate. https://youtube/watch?v=48abBLc3R4k
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:09:26 +0000
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