Men’s Club: February 2018 News

Our January breakfast was packed and busy with two speakers plus our club business. Before the meeting, Vice President CW Gruenig honored chief cooks Charlie Clark, Jack Sweeney and Mike Roberts, plus previously honored Bob Enger, Steve Morris and Rob Wollin. They received aprons that Dee Gruenig prepared sporting their names in calligraphy. Additional appreciation went to Bob Borland and Jack Christiansen for their tireless work and good judgement which has been an immense help to the Governing Board, and for the great breakfast they provided in the absence of regular chef Jack Sweeney.
Then followed the election of club officers for the coming year: President Bob Oakley, Vice President of Programing CW Gruenig, Secretary Robert Saint-Aubin, and Treasurer Steve Morris.
Bob Borland announced that our college football pool raised $330 for student scholarships. President Bob expressed sadness at the passing of Bob Ryan and Doug Ehlers, who will be properly honored at the next meeting.
Our featured speaker was Don Barnes, currently Orange County Undersheriff, who is now running for the office of Sheriff. He gave a tremendously informative presentation about the Department’s wide-reaching, sophisticated crime fighting system with 4,000 members, 700 volunteers, and contracts for full service with 13 cities. There are five narcotics teams and a collaborative-effort fusion center to combat the serious threat of terrorism using the most modern equipment. Undersheriff Barnes spoke of challenges facing the Sheriff’s Department, such as excessive mental cases beyond available institutions to care for them, and homelessness where many homeless want to be left as they are. Proposition 47 has exacerbated this problem, and Proposition 57 has placed up to 9,000 inmates previously in state prisons into county jails that are built only for short term incarceration. Additionally, he addressed troubles stemming from drug abuse—a national problem present in our own town. Barnes noted that the city’s cost for crime prevention would likely be higher if a separate city police department was created instead of using the Sheriff’s services for the same level of protection now offered.
Our second speaker was Matt Sinacori, Dana Point Public works Director and City Engineer, who spoke about the planned re-striping of Niguel Road between Stonehill and Camino Del Avion. Cars will be allowed to park against the curb during big events, and bicycle lanes will be designated between the moving cars and parked cars. This permits more safety for bikers and provides parking during major events only. Otherwise, there will be no parking on that segment of road as is the rule
now. Regarding the speed limit on Niguel Road, Mr. Sinacori referenced a study showing that the 50 mph speed limit is proper and safe for the current three lanes; however, when the lanes are reduced to two in each direction, the limit might be reduced to 40 mph. The breakfast meeting adjourned with much new information to consider in the month ahead.
Our upcoming breakfast February 6 will feature Kerry Parker Burnight, a UCI professor who established the Forensic Center to fight elder abuse. OC Register listed her in the 100 Most Influential People in Orange County. On February 20 we’ll hear Ursula Luna Reynoso, Director of Dana Point Community Development, who will update us on matters of our city.
Men’s Club Maintenance List: As a service to the Niguel Shores community, the Men’s Club publishes names of maintenance and service workers who have been recommended by our members. You can view the list at www.niguelshores.org. Click on “Clubs” then “Men’s Club” and then “Men’s Club Maintenance List.” This list is provided as a courtesy only. The Niguel Shores Men’s Club and the Niguel Shores Community Association do not personally recommend nor will they be responsible for any acts of the providers listed.
—CW Gruenig