City's Case for Appeal to Judge's Decision - Mayor Brian Goodell for City Council

City’s Case for Appeal to Judge’s Decision

A lawsuit challenging the rights of three sitting council members to remain in office turned the City of Mission Viejo upside down as we are heading toward the November 8th election of all five council seats in newly-created council districts (District Map). It is a complex case that has confused many residents, so I have attached the WRIT OF SUPERSEDEAS (click link) wherein the City lays out its most compelling arguments for appeal and the overturn of Judge Schwarm’s Judgment in the case for your review. The Court of Appeals has granted a STAY ORDER (click link) so the three duly elected council members will remain in office until the Appeal can be decided. The next hearing date is October 18th.

About the Author: Brian Goodell

Brian Goodell is a native Californian who moved to Mission Viejo in 1968 with his parents and sister. He attended Linda Vista Elementary School, La Paz Intermediate, and Mission Viejo High School. Brian was a world-famous Mission Viejo Nadadores swim team member and became the first Olympic Gold Medalist from Mission Viejo, breaking two world records and winning two Gold Medals at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Hall of Fame. Brian still swims with the Mission Viejo Nadadores Masters swimming team. Brian was elected to the Mission Viejo City Council in 2016 and has served as a council member, Mayor Pro Tem in 2019, and Mayor in 2020. Brian led the City with distinction during the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The City had many accomplishments under Brian’s leadership, including: • Acquiring the Casta Del Sol Golf Course and open space, • Developing new parks and recreation facilities, • Enhancing public safety by adding more school resource officers, and • Acquiring “The Mart” building to further the Community Core Vision Plan. Brian and his wife, Vicki, have been married for 38 years and raised their three sons in Mission Viejo. All are alums of Mission Viejo High School. They have three granddaughters and a grandson, with another due in November. Brian and Vicki own The Gold Medal Group Inc., REALTORS® with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, California Properties in Mission Viejo. They have helped countless families buy and sell homes in the area. Brian is involved in many charitable organizations in the community. He is a member of the Benevolent Order of the Elks, a former President of the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation, and a member of St. Killian’s Catholic Church.