In Search of Diogenes...

Greetings, all. The name is Mark Leyes and I am a new contributor to Red County/OCBlog. This is my first post.

I am a 16-year member of the Garden Grove City Council and a native of Orange County. I am married (for 19 years) and own my home. I went to local public schools and earned a B.A. and M.A. in Economics from Cal State Fullerton (Go Titans!).

I will be posting under my real name – if only because I think the more clever or earnest readers would figure me out eventually, anyway. As I was considering a nom de blogue, I considered “Diogenes”; as described in ancient Greek lore, Diogenes of Sinope was one of the most illustrious of the Cynic philosophers, a soul in a continuous search for an "honest man".

After a while longer, I realized that what we all probably need, first, is to find a new Diogenes or two. As I travel through this blog, I hope to seek and share some truth, but I will pay special attention to the truth-tellers – they are far too rare and valuable. Let me know if you know any - I would be happy to share any nominees forwarded to me.

I will be sharing my perspectives, my predilections, my pontifications, my positions and my passions as time goes by. I invite all comments, including the contrary ones. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I hope you enjoy my posts. See you in the Blogosphere……

Mark Leyes

Comments

[Mike Lawson]

Welcome to the blogosphere, Mark!

[Art Pedroza]

I've always been a huge fan of Greek mythology. But Diogenes would have a hard time in the modern era.

Welcome to the blogosphere!

[Bladerunner]

Mark--here's a truth---had the proponents of Prop. 90 written a "clean" anti-Kelo eminent domain ballot measure, it would have passed with over 65% of the vote. It still would have drawn the opposition of the League and possibly some development money but would not have left itself open for significant attacks. It still may pass because people are frankly fed up with how some governmental agencies run roughshod over private property rights. But 90, overreaching as it does, will be closer then it should be or may even lose.

I've said before though that if it passes the Dems have only themselves to blame. They could have passed a clean measure or gotten one on the ballot but instead let the League put them and local entities under the Prop. 90 gun.

[Bladerunner]

Mark--another truth---If Ray Haynes is the best that No on 90 can offer, the measure is in trouble.

[redperegrine]

"Mark--here's a truth---had the proponents of Prop. 90 written a "clean" anti-Kelo eminent domain ballot measure, it would have passed with over 65% of the vote"

You're right BR - another example of poor initiative strategy - unless the sponsors were so sure of overwhelming support they thought they could throw the kitchen sink in too. There is no way the League or the CRA could have mounted an opposition campaign. What could they do? Argue on behalf of poor, downtrodden Costco, auto dealers, real estate developers etc.?

[DanC]

Mark - welcome to the debate.

[Critic]

One question for Mark.

As a staff member in State Senator Harman's local office, do your comments, Mr. Leyes, echo those of the Senator?

Mark

Here's the truth.

THe city of Garden Grove is the worst slum owner of any city in Orange County.

I invite all the readers of this blog to visit the Travel trailer mobile home park off of Harbor Bvld and Palm Street.

Here, most people will believe they visited a third world country. The City of Garden Grove owns this well-kept property where hundreds of Hispanic families call home.

Way to go Garden Grove!

[Jubal]

Critic:

Mark is no longer with Senator Harman's office.

[Screech]

Heh.

I have a special Diogenes lamp on my desk just in case......