John,
Earlier this month, I went on a bike ride with my boys in Newport Bay. I couldn’t help but notice that the infamous
“Steel Fence” was still up.
For those who don’t know what I’m referring to, the Orange County Grand Jury released a report exposing a likely pay-for-play scheme executed by Michelle Steel herself. While on the County Board of Supervisors, Steel pushed through the sale of protected park land in Newport Beach’s Back Bay Reserve.
Here's where things get sketchy: The buyer was one of Steel's campaign donors. This donor gave Steel thousands of dollars. Apparently, in return, Steel tried to sell that donor public land near their home for pennies on the dollar.
Thankfully the deal was stopped, but the donor still has a chain link fence around the parcel of land. You can still see the
“Steel Fence” from the trail -- it’s a total eye sore.
Check out my video on this, then consider chipping in $3 to get Michelle Steel out of office and stop these sweetheart deals in Orange County.
– Jay
P.S. For more on the findings from the Grand Jury,
here’s the article on their report.
