Sad to report, but the OC Registrar of Voters is reporting that corrupt Trustee Duane Stiff did indeed file his papers to run for re-election. This nut is toast!

Capistrano Dispatch Reporter Lacey Nadeau reports on their website, "I asked Mike Darnold and Duane Stiff -- the two remaining non-Recall Committee trustees -- whether they'll run again this November. Darnold said he won't; he's got too much on his plate, and he didn't think he could get the support he needed. Stiff said his name will definitely be on the ballot: "I don't want the educational alliance to have a free ride." He said he wants to give people a choice, and if he doesn't run, Mike Winsten "won't have to spend a dime, and that's not going to happen."

Ya, the last thing that Capo needs is a guy like Stiff with a doctorate in education and decades of experience in public school administration.

I'm sure that the attorney who has filed for the seat is much better qualified.

Since Stiff, if re-elected, would always be in the minority, could one assume that the new board members don't want anyone looking over their shoulders?

"I am sure everybody has seen that horror movie where the teenager goes inside the house that the monster is in as opposed to running away or calling the police."

Chris: It might be hard to believe but some of us don't watch teenage movies. You sound like a student who wasn't happy with his grades.

I don't know a lot about the Capistrano issues, but there must be some reason that Stiff wasn't re-called. I hope that he stays in the race if only to give us a chance to compare the qualifications of the candidates. It would be nice if a few more candidates enter the race.

Jon

The whole teenage movie reference was a metaphor. It is meant to show that Stiff is making a poor show of judgment. I have a feeling quite a few people have seen movies like Jaws, Halloween, etc...

Also I will point out that I am a student but happen to be quite pleased with my grades.

Considering you personally stated that you don't know much about the Capistrano issues I would recommend that you do some research instead of making ad hominem attacks against me.

The facts are that Duane Stiff has been a part of a 7-0 majority for a long time that rubber stamped basically everything that was put before them by the INDICTED Superintendent James Fleming. His educational background is impressive, but it looks like in this case he chose to conform with the rest of the group. His decision to not question the board majority (the old guard) in my opinion is reason enough to get rid of him.

The OC GOP has asked the trustees to resign, but instead it took a recall to get rid of two of the four remaining old guard trustees thus ensuring a 5-2 majority.

I am not saying that Mike Winsten should go unopposed and I do not even know that I would support him considering I have no idea where he stands. All I am saying is that Duane Stiff for his sake should read the writing on the wall and retire.

OK Anonymous - fair enough. But if Stiff was so bad why wasn't he re-called with the others?

And if he was part of the 7-0 majority in the past, he would now be part of a probable 6-1 minority in the future. (I guess he wouldn't be part of the minority, he would be the minority!) Do we now want a new 7-0 majority?

I admire the guy for putting up a fight. If Weintein is the better candidate, let him prove it in the election.

I would like to keep the guy around just to keep an eye on the rest of the Board.

Sorry about that. I had to edit my last comment to include my name. I could have sworn that I included my name when I initially posted.

I think that he would have been recalled had their been more time to gain signatures. It is tough enough to get signatures to recall two trustee let alone.

I will agree with you that it would be nice to have a sort of checks and balances by not having a 7-0 majority but I just don't think that Duane Stiff is that guy.

With regards to Winsten running unopposed I would have to agree with you again. Winsten should have to face some sort of opposition to EARN this seat but I think that Duane Stiff is making a mistake by running based on his history. I think that Sue Palazzo should also have to face some sort of opposition. My feeling are that the races that get cancelled due to no opposition are not good for our County.

Well, I guess for the time being (until someone else steps up to the plate) Duane Stiff is the only guy to oppose Winsten. And having one veteran on the Board can often prevent missteps by the new members.

From Stiff's standpoint, I don't see how it's a mistake. It's not like if he loses he'll go to jail or lose a pension. The job probably pays almost nothing. He looks like he's 70 plus years old so I have to assume that he's not seeking re-election as a stepping stone to another office. Could it be the guy just cares about public education?

I did look at Winsten's law practice website and can't see where he has any skills that would help the District. It looks like he just runs a tiny law office.

Maybe he thinks that getting his name in paper will help his law practice.

It will be interesting to see if Winsten runs a positive or negative campaign. I notice that he's listing the website of the recall campaign with Registar of Voters so he might feel the need to go negative. It's clear that he doesn't stand up to Stiff in terms of experience in education.

I'd told that there are some good attorneys. Maybe someday I'll meet one.

At least Stiff doesn't break into the Superintendent's office when he's out of town to rummage through his papers.

I didn't realize I was voting for the SS when I voted in the recall board members. Can't we get someone sane to run for school board?