Irvine City Business

Over the full hour we cover an ambitious City of Irvine update with Branda Lin, Irvine Planning Commissioner; and Adam Cavecche, the supervising Principal Council Executive to Irvine City Council Member Kathleen Treseder. On the municipal menu are: the failed single use plastics ordinance, warehouse creep, Irvine’s lobbying rules, the civil servant exodus, and the level of city commissioners’ training. For future coverage will be how Irvine Watchdog’s sights are set on city business on both the primary and general election ballots. A long table is set for this expansive buffet of topics.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio No. 41, BVW 248, “Ich Will,” Jingle All the Way – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinCavecche12-5-23.mp3

Public Goods and Liabilities on Irvine City Council Roster AND Are The Kids Alright?

Irvine Planning Commission Chairwoman Branda Lin, covers City Council items currently under consideration: the city’s proposed acquisition of the All American Asphalt plant, Live Nation’s amphitheater prospects, USA Water Polo, municipal districts, and more.

In the second segment (minute 36:30), Melyssa Zive offers insight about adolescent mental health in her capacity as Program Director for ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Center recently opened in Tustin, California.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; The Black Market Trust, “Minor Swing,” Folk Songs – album; and Odetta, “This Little Light of Mine.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinZive4-11-23.mp3

Meet MWDOC Division 5 Candidate Randall Crane AND Meet Irvine Mayoral Candidate Branda Lin

Today we crowd three plus hours worth of civics in under 1 hour! There won’t be a quiz after the show, but voters must complete all their ballots, which includes these two races. First, Randall Crane, Professor Emeritus at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs and Irvine resident, is running in Division 5 of the Municipal Water District of Orange County. In the second segment (minute 35:13), Branda Lin, co-founder of Irvine Watchdog, this time dons her candidate hat, in her bid to run for Mayor of Irvine. She is one of 4 candidates challenging the incumbent mayor.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Bill Beach, “Aqua de Beber,” Letting Go – album; Magwinya, “Magwinya Mangola neWhite Liver,” Spaza – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/CraneLin09-20-22.mp3

Meet OC Board of Supervisor Katrina Foley AND OCPA ‘s Opaque Proposition to Local Rate-Payers

Amidst the massive forces of: the stalling of climate mitigation measures in the US Congress, the undeniable disruption of Jan 6. insurrection, and the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine…. we continue covering Orange County June 7th 2022 Primary. We begin with OC Board of Supervisor Katrina Foley, to talk about her campaign for re-election in her brand new Orange County Board of Supervisor District, the 5th District. This new district includes: Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine (south of I-405), Laguna Woods, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and unincorporated area bounded on the north by the the Antonio Parkway, Oso, and Ortega Highways, and on the south by the San Diego County line.

In the second segment (minute 41:27), picking up where she left off last month, is Brand Lin, co-founder of Irvine Watchdog to spell out the juncture at which business and residential electricity rate-payers are, whom are covered by the Orange County Power Authority. A lot of action folks, not so much sunshine; a lot of climate aspirations, unclear about the agency’s commitment to those goals.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Hiromi, “Spectrum,” Women’s Voices – album; Shabaka Hutchings, “Black Skin, Black Masks,” We Out Here – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/FoleyLin4-5-22.mp3

Irvine Watchdog Sniffs Out Process Issues

Irvine Watchdog members Branda Lin and Richard Green return, for the whole hour, to speak in advance of the Irvine City Council’s meeting the same day of the broadcast. This show will hone in on some persistent erosions in transparency and accountability in how the City Council conducts business. The Watchdog will offer means for listeners to turn out the same day of this broadcast. The agenda is available here for residents’ perusal: https://irvinewatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/5.1.pdf. Branda and Richard will return soon to hone in on the joint powers agreement agency known as the Orange County Power Authority. Rate payers take note.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Arturo Márquez, “Danzón No.2,” Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Simon Bolivar Orchestra.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinGreen3-22-22.mp3

The Reach Of Corruption in Irvine and Beyond

Mindful that listeners’ ears are drawn to the coverage of what’s taking place in Ukraine, today’s show’s elements have their own kind of connection dealing with corruption. Both guests generously offer their talents and might in non-profit capacities: Akaash Maharaj, Ambassador-at-Large, with Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption and Branda Lin, co-founder of Irvine Watchdog. They draw a through line from the local level to far beyond. They will be examining resources, relationships, and realities. Note: The aforementioned “California Water Supply Infrastructure Trust Account Initiative” signature collection for statewide prop this fall, has been suspended. And the Poseidon desalination project proposed in Huntington Beach, has been withdrawn from the CA Coastal Commission March meeting schedule. Stay tuned for future agendizing. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Sportive Tricks, “Rigs of Time,” Old Dogs New Tricks – album. 

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MaharajLin2-22-22.mp3

Irvine Watchdog Looks Under Great Park Hood AND “Inside the 45th” Constituent Speaks Part 3

Branda Lin returns with still more insight as co-founder of Irvine Watchdog, holding Irvine elected and appointed officials accountable. Sometimes just looking at the administration of the Great Park, informs plenty about local leadership.

In the second segment (minute 38:30), “Inside the 45th” features Laguna Woods resident Metche Franke. Listeners living within the CA 45th Congressional District, who would like to speak out in this segment are welcome to contact the host at: cshambaugh@kuci.org.
Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” Walt Wagner Trio, “Facade,” Trajectory; Uptown String Quartet, “You Are Special;” A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood film; Floating Points, “Bias” Mayfield Depot Mix, Bias – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinFrankePod7-6-21.mp

Ethnic Studies Delivers AND Districted Elections in Irvine

In the first segment, UCI School of Education Professor Emily Penner, recently awarded as a William T Grant Scholar, brings a cool, informed head into the OC and national lab of teaching ethnic studies at the high school level.
In the second segment (minute 37:16), Joshua Block of Associated Students of UCI and Branda Lin of Irvine Watchdog, explore the possibilities in districted-elections in the City of Irvine. Listeners resources for building your own municipal district maps include: Dave’s Redistricting App, Common Cause CA, and DistrictR.
Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” Nikitch & Kuna Maze, “Francis’ Theme,” Francis’ Theme Album, Beoga, “Aurora II,” Carousel – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/PennerBlockLinPod5-25-21.mp3

Hail To The 46th Chief AND More Irvine Watchdog Considerations

UCI political science professor, Matthew Beckmann weighs in with our ritual examination a new presidency, at the first 100 days of the administration. Tune in for what hasn’t already been said.

In the second segment (minute 37:02) Branda Lin, co-founder of Irvine Watchdog, returns to raise locals’ civic game with more delicate issues. This time it is the recent City Council resolution on anti-Asian hate and the Council’s proposals toward expending $53 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. If you are an Irvine resident, you can still weigh in . . . https://www.cityofirvine.org/city-council or https://irvinewatchdog.org.


Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” Didier Rachou, “Hail to the Chief,” Uptown Uncle Sam; Sly5thAve, “Pour It Up,” Composite EP.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/BeckmannLinPod4-27-21.mp3

CA Democratic Party Chair Race Part 2 AND Irvine Watchdog Part 2

In the first segment we hear from Rusty Hicks, now running for re-election to a 4 year term of the CA Democratic Party Chair. He reflects compares elections in 2018 and 2020 as he prepares 2022 campaigns, with special consideration to the Orange County Congressional Delegation. Voting continues; delegates will finish voting on all statewide Democratic Party offices by 4/21/21.  

In the second segment (minute 29:30) is Branda Lin, co-founder of Irvine Watchdog resuming our interview on last week’s show, going deeper into the weeds about the Great Park, the American Asphalt Co., and the Irvine City Council.  

Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” Nick Waterhouse, “Proméne Bleu”, Proméne Bleu – album; Rone, “Room With A View” Room With A View – album. 

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/HicksLinPod4-13-21.mp3