About Me

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Mayor Wendy Bucknum was elected to serve as a member of the Mission Viejo City Council in 2014.  She brings a wealth of practical business experience, a history of community involvement, and a solid record of volunteerism.

Mayor Bucknum has a strong business background and is a champion for City policies that are fair, understandable, cost effective, and good for the economy. She is a mom who understands and values partnerships with schools to give Mission Viejo youth a positive educational experience and safe place to learn.  As an active volunteer she understands the unique needs of kids, families, and seniors, and supports programs to serve all.

Mayor Bucknum’s primary goals are to maintain Mission Viejo’s public safety record, create a healthy local business economy, preserve parks and open spaces, to protect Mission Viejo’s schools and neighborhoods, and to maintain and enhance city infrastructure and the community facilities Mission Viejo residents use and enjoy.  

Mayor Bucknum has a strong background in business. Residents of Mission Viejo since 1992, Wendy and her husband Paul have raised their two children in this amazing community.  Over the years, she frequently has been a volunteer in classrooms, for sports teams, and at Mission Viejo Nadadores Swim Meets.  She is a past board member for both the Mission Viejo High School Aquatic Boosters and the Football Boosters, and a past committee chair for Mission Viejo High School Grad Night.

Current Membership Information

Mayor Bucknum serves as Vice Chair on the Orange Council of Governments General Assembly (OCCOG), and serves on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Governing Board, and Community, Economic and Human Development Committee.  She serves on the Association of California Cities, Orange County Board. In addition, Wendy is a member of the Standing CUSD/Mission Viejo Ad Hoc Committee, the Olympic Ad Hoc Committee, and the Housing Ad Hoc Committee.  She is an emeritus member of the California Women’s Leadership Association Board and a member of the Mission Viejo Elks Club and Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce.  Wendy is also a regular participant in communitywide events, such as the Mission Viejo Walk Against Drugs and the Inner Coastal Cleanup Day along Oso Creek Trail.  In addition, she is a long-time member the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce/Economic Coalition, which she chaired in 2013–14.

Previously Held Positions

Wendy has a long history of community involvement.  She served as the Mayor for calendar year 2017, prior to serving on the council, she served four years on the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission and was chair of that commission in 2012.

Accomplishments during tenure of City Council:

• Complete refurbishment of the Marguerite Aquatics & Swim Complex
• Updates to Montanoso, Sierra & Felipe Recreation Centers
• Successful purchase of the Casa Del Sol Golf Course and adjacent 4 acres of open space
• Refurbishment and renovation of the Oso Creek Golf Course and Club House
• Continuing the Oso Creek Trail Updates for better community access
• Addition of the new Lakeside Park along the path of Lake Mission Viejo
• Successfully refurbished 8+ community neighborhood parks while in office
• Addition of award-winning restrooms at the MV Girls Softball Fields
• Additional lighting installed at the Youth Athletic Park 
• Installation of bocce ball courts at Oso Viejo Park
• Installation of more Pickle Ball courts at the Felipe Tennis Center
• Beautifying the landscaped slopes along the main corridors
• Successfully established a strong partnership between the MV Chamber of Commerce and the City to support the local business community
• Brought in new businesses to create job growth within the City
• Provided approximately $1 million in grants to support MV businesses through the 2020 shut downs to encourage businesses to remain open
• Our aquatics facility was one of the only entities to stay open on the West Coast during the shut downs
• Launched community summer concert series to the Oso Viejo Community Park
• Successful purchase of the Stein Mart building and adjacent property for the purpose of improvements surrounding the Core Area Vision Plan
•  In 2019, the City adopted a Comprehensive Bikeway and Transportation Connectivity Master Plan that links community facilities to our City trail system and, ultimately, the larger regional trail system outside our City limits.  

A strong future for Mission Viejo include the following:

• Protecting taxpayers through responsible, conservative budget management.
• Maintaining current levels of reserves and AAA bond rating and reducing pension liabilities.
• Eliminating bureaucratic “red tape” that hurts local businesses and job growth.
• Supporting wise investments in our city’s recreational and educational opportunities that include parks, sports fields/facilities, senior activities, library and student development programs.
• Completing necessary traffic improvements.
• Ensuring public safety. 
• Protecting local control.

Duties for our area goes far beyond just our City

• Southern CA Association of Governments - Regional Council Member
• OC Council of Governments - Chairwoman
• Local Agency Formation Commission of Orange County - Commissioner

 My family and I love Mission Viejo. We have wonderful neighbors, vast recreational and entertainment opportunities and excellent schools.  Our city is dynamic and we pride ourselves on supporting local.

I first got involved locally through my kids’ activities, including Little League, MVHS Aquatics Boosters and Nadadores. 

I currently serve on the Community Services Commission, overseeing management of Mission Viejo’s recreational programs.

I respectfully ask for your vote to continue serving our community on the Mission Viejo City Council.