The New Face of San Juan Cares

There’s a new face to San Juan Cares, the group that’s been responsible for some controversial mailers as of late.

Rob Ferguson, a member of the Open Space, Trails and Equestrian Commission, was the group’s first front man. He said his goal was a neutral third party in the midst of two warring factions in town, the council majority and a group of disgruntled citizens looking to recall one of them, Councilman Sam Allevato.

Since then, San Juan Cares produced a flier with caricatures of majority opposition that raised ire in two towns. 

But during San Juan Capistrano resident Kim McCarthy’s recent address to the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council -- where the group's lawyer, Steve Baric, serves as a councilman -- it was revealed that Ferguson was no longer with the group.

Now comes Matt Gaffney, a former member of the city’s now-defunct Transportation Commission.

Here’s the email blast that went out today:

Dear San Juan Neighbor,

My good friend Rob Ferguson has decided reduce his role in San Juan Cares and concentrate on some personal health and family issues that many of you are aware of.

I appreciate Rob’s service in shedding light on policy issues that are important to our community. He has been informative, providing documents and verifiable facts that have left some a little uncomfortable.

His commitment to transparency will be followed as I take over San Juan Cares.

San Juan Cares will continue to inform residents on our important issues. We encourage a healthy debate and want you to use this web site and our Facebook page to comment.

For the last few years we have sat on the sidelines and watched our political environment turn toxic.

We will talk about many issues, water rates, and the Groundwater Recovery Plant. We will talk about our water future and how to pay for it.

Who should pay? Should large water users pay more than others?

We will talk about the misguided recall and its cost to taxpayers of at least $100,000, less than a year since our last election.

Recall leaders have proposed shutting down Groundwater Recovery Plant. Do we default on the $30 million in bonds? Or, who pays off the bonds? Taxpayers?

That’s like walking away from your mortgage. The city’s credit would be ruined for decades, and bankruptcy would be on the horizon.

San Juan Cares will bring you factual information – not politically driven editorial designed to tear our town apart.

Regards,

Matthew Gaffney