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Page 4 Fullerton Observer EARLY-MARCH 2009 CITY COUNCIL SHORTS w/Kevin Frink The Fullerton City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5pm (closed session) and 6:30pm (public session). Contact councilmembers at council@ci.fullerton.ca.us or 714-738-6311. Upcoming Agenda info and Streaming Video is available at www.cityoffullerton.com. Council meetings are also broadcast live on Cable Channel 3 at 6pm the following Wednesday and Sunday, and at 5pm on Monday. City Hall is located at 303 W. Commonwealth at Highland Ave. (parking is on Amerige) Feb. 17, 2009 Council Meeting 5pm: Study Session: The Council discussed the proposed redevelopment merger plan. Redevelopment Director Rob Zur Schmiede presented the proposal which would add properties along Commonwealth up to and including the airport. This would allow redevelopment funds to be used to rehab substandard buildings. Residences are excluded from the plan. Public Comments included concerns that mom and pop businesses would be pushed out, historic buildings might be lost, and that redevelopment funds should be used on areas of the city that are truly in blight condition. The issue will return to council at the May 5th public hearing. 6:30pm: Regular Session: The Council voted unanimously to pass all 10 items on the evening’s consent agenda except item 8 concerning the proposed amendment to the Memorial Tree & Bench Policy which was continued to the next meeting. February was recognized as American Heart Month. Pastor Willie Holmes was also recognized for his work helping Fullerton residents in times of need. •Appointments: Recent changes in the commission/committee appointment process allowed for nearly 30 direct appointments to 10 commissions and committees. “At-large” members will be interviewed at a public meeting by council as a whole. Appointments were made to the following committees: Bicycle Users Sub-Committee, Citizens Infrastructure Review, Community Development Citizens Committee, Energy and Resource Management, Library Board of Trustees, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission, Redevelopment and Design Review, Technology Working Group and the Transportation and Circulation Commission. • High Speed Rail: Regular business for the night included council moving to apply for funding as part of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Project T Funding Program. Looking toward the possible California High Speed Rail Authority’s plan for a line running between San Francisco and Anaheim, Project T requires a ten-percent match of public funds, not to exceed $100,000. Still in its infancy, the conceptual level plans look at 3 possible design types for Fullerton’s station on the potential route. First is an at-grade rail platform, similar to what is currently in use. Second is an elevated platform, at which a high-speed train would rise above current rail tracks. Lastly, and a much more complex and expensive project would be a subterranean complex. A Metrolink representative was on hand to present these plans to the council. Passed 5-0 • Block Grant Funding: Because Community You are Invited to the 3rd Annual FOOD LOVING GUYS... RAISING FUNDS FOR FIES* email: info@fies.us www.FIES.us * Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were reduced by 9% for 2009/10 staff invited former groups to apply rather than opening the process up to the public as has been done in the past. Groups that have applied are Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Club of Fullerton, the Fair Housing Council of Orange County, the Orange County Council on Aging, Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services and the Women’s Transitional Living Center. Council asked that the invitation be extended publicly as usual. Housing coordinator Linda Morad said that staff would place the notice in the paper. Interested groups may call 714-738- 6878 for an application. •OC Fair Housing: City Council also voted to extend a six-month agreement with the Fair Housing Council of Orange County. The current agreement expires June, 30, 2009. The new contract will cover the second half of the 2008-09 fiscal year. The group has saved 20 homes from foreclosure through its HUD certified Foreclosure Tenant Program, said new CEO Denise Kato. HUD requires the city to contract with a fair housing authority in order to receive CDBG funds. •General Plan Update: A General Plan Draft Statement and Focus Area Report was produced and submitted to council for review and approval. The 15-member General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) produced a three piece vision statement focusing on, 1. Our City, 2. Our Vision and 3. Our Guiding Principles. In addition, the GPAC established extensive focus areas within Fullerton including Transportation Center, Downtown and West Coyote Hills. Public Comment: Both Jane Rands and Matt Leslie suggested that “public transit, pedestrian and bike ways” be added back into the transportation statement. Food, Silent Auction & Entertainment 6:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday, March 29th, 2009 COYOTE HILLS GOLF COURSE (located on Bastanchury between State College Blvd. and Brea Blvd) TICKETS: (714) 680-3691 RSVP by March 19th! FULLERTON INTERFAITH EMERGENCY SERVICE HELPING TO END HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS FOR OVER 33 YEARS. • Lions Field: Joe Felz, director of Parks and Recreation, was in attendance to ask council to approve a contract for the complete design and construction of Lions Field improvements. Initially a maximum price of about $14.5 million was estimated for completion of the improvements. More recently, that maximum price moved near $16 million after planning for synthetic turf as opposed to natural sod. Felz noted that though more expensive at first, the lower maintenance costs associated with a synthetic surface make it more economical at year 12 to 14. •MG 3-Bin System: Lastly, after continuing the MG Disposal Agreement from October 2008, to conduct a public outreach campaign, council approved a new tenyear solid waste handling service agreement. Much was made of the potential of Fullerton residents to lose their ”Cadillac Observers Around the World The Singers at Half of the World Park Laurice and Bob Singer just returned from a memorable trip to the Galapagos Islands and the Quito area in Ecuador. “Our seven day cruise, including visits to the various Galapagos islands, was spectacular. We saw, and were right next to, a full spectrum of species of animals and plants from iguanas to sea turtles and land tortoises, and unique birds mating and caring for their eggs and chicks. They well illustrated the elements of evolution in an isolated setting. Our reading about the history of Charles Darwin and his research (and professional competition) was enhanced by February 12 being Darwin’s 200th birthday (same as Abraham Lincoln’s) and this year being the 150th anniversary of his milestone book, “The Origin of Species”. Our visit to the Quito environs, which is about 9000 feet high in the Andes mountain range, was also fascinating with small villages, beautiful volcanoes, native peoples with their unique costumes and crafts, and ornate churches in Quito itself. The photo shows us with the Fullerton Observer at “Half of the World” Park near Quito standing on the Equatorial Line. Jackets were needed because of the cool weather at this altitude in their rainy season.” of trash services”. After 3 public workshops, with a total attendance of 41 concerned citizens, we can be assured that “no trash will be left behind”. MG will continue to haul away waste bagged along side typical containers at pick-up time. Furthermore, the cost of an additional new style container ($3.55) will be eliminated, 35-gallon large containers will be made available when warranted, and bulk item information will be embossed on all containers. The new agreement brings the City of Fullerton up to speed with other trash collection recycling programs in Orange County. Public Comment: Mr. Winthers asked why the price of the service isn’t going down since we are increasing efficiency and diversion and the franchise rate is going up? City Revenue Manager Phyllis Garrova said the franchise fee is going from 5% to 7% in the new contract and that the additional $65,000 raised will go into the General Fund for public safety. See Agenda for March 3 council meeting on page 14 Infant Care & Pre-School 6 weeks to 5 years ENROLL NOW ! ($100 value) (714) 525-5859 CynDee Allen Director Free Registration for 1st Timers WE ARE BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR HIGHER LEARNING • Large Spacious Rooms • Potty Training • Full Day Programs FIRST CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL & INFANT CENTER 115 E. Wilshire Avenue • Downtown Fullerton Pre School Lic. 304270451 • Infant Lic. 304270452
EARLY-MARCH 2009 800 Attend Meeting on School Budget Cuts The Ladera Vista Jr. High gymnasium was standing room only at the Feb. 26 Community Input Meeting held by the Fullerton School District. The public meeting was held to allow parents and community members to comment on the upcoming proposed cuts to the 2009/10 school district budget. The proposed cuts may result in the loss of 74 teachers and classified workers, loss of the class size reduction, and reduction or elimination of All the Arts, Music, and 1:1 Laptop programs, and a 20% reduction in the IB and GATE programs. Among the suggestions from the public were: earning extra money by lifting the ban and allowing campuses to be used as cell-phone tower sites; earning money through partnerships with grocery chains; asking for personal donations; and making buildings energy efficient. Parent and art education director of the Fullerton Museum Center, Aimee Aul, brought up the excellent point that the district has invested $350,000 in musical instruments which would be wasted if the music program was eliminated. Her brother, music educator and composer David Kraus, told how elementary music classes had turned his life around. In 2004, Kraus was one of five music teachers from across the country to win an award from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. The final decision on cuts will take place at the regular school board meeting at 5:30pm, Tuesday March 10th at Fullerton School District offices, 1401 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton. (714-447- 7400) Superintendent Mitch Hovey said layoff notices would be sent out March 15. Members of the Fullerton Elementary Teachers Assoc, PTA, CSEA and community members are joining in a rally from 4:30pm to 5:30pm on the corner of Harbor and Wilshire in downtown Fullerton to show support for teachers and classified workers receiving layoff notices. Important Public Meeting for Parents According to the most recent numbers, the District will be facing over $6 million in cuts from state funding. Final cuts for the elementary school disrict will be decided by the board at this meeting. •March 10 at 5:30pm: Fullerton School District Board meeting at the Fullerton School District Offices, 1401 W. Valencia Drive, Fullerton. www.fsd.k12.ca.us or call 714- 447-7400 COMMUNITY OPINIONS continued from page 2 A Letter from FSD’s Superintendent Dr. Hovey As a follow-up to the early February 2009 Observer School District News article, the section entitled “School Budget Crisis,” I wanted to clarify that although there has been much talk about suspending class size reduction monies, we have not received any official word that the State has suspended all funding of the class size reduction program. As to the information in the subsection under my name, what I shared during the Superintendent’s Report at the January 20, 2009 Board Meeting were segments of the Response to the Special Session of Legislature and the Governor’s Budget Proposal, which was crafted by the Orange County Superintendents. The intent of the message was to give input as to how our legislators might close the ever growing budget deficit. More specific to the things I actually discussed at the Board Meeting on January 20, 2009 were: Current Status • Currently California School spending per student ranks 46th in the nation, now 47th. • Our State academic standards are among the most rigorous in the nation. • In light of the fact that the need for a well educated population is becoming more and more important in solving systematic problems for a long term solution, continuing to cut our investment in public education will only make it more difficult to build a quality workforce. • Special education encroachments into the unrestricted general fund continue to increase each and every year. • California voters approved 91% of all school bonds and 82% of all parcel tax initiatives on the November 4th ballot. (local control) 1-3 Years • If we are to absorb the nearly $200- $300 per student revenue reduction mid year, we must have total flexibility over the maximum amount of State funded categoricals. No categorical program funds should be used for salaries and benefits. • Existing requirements that include CSR penalties, unrestricted ending reserve balances, deferred maintenance reserves, State textbooks purchases and other requirements must be waived. Long Term • We must show the insight and perseverance necessary to develop and adopt a new school funding formula that is adequate, equitable and more transparent to the public. Implementation of many of the recommendations published in the recent adequacy studies will strengthen the capacity of public education in our State. • There must be a viable Statewide effort to lobby Washington for full 40$ funding of the cost of IDEA. Longer term solutions really must fall on the will of Sacramento to suspend all State mandates for special education. • Currently school districts pay a California sales tax on all purchases. Waiving the sales tax for school districts, a current practice in other states, would reduce the purchase cost to schools of supplies and equipment. As I have had several inquiries about what was discussed at the Board Meeting on January 20, 2009 and what was reported in the School District News section School Budget Crisis in the Observer, my hope is that this brings more clarity and focus to those issues that I did discuss that revolve around the school budget crisis. Respectfully, Mitch Hovey, Ed.D. District Superintendent Fullerton School District Book Launch Party Honors 26 A reception honoring the people interviewed in the just released book “A Different Shade of Orange: Voices of Orange County, California, Black Pioneers,” by Robert Johnson and Charlene Riggins took place on Feb. 28. The book is one in Arthur Hansen’s series of seven volumes which tell the stories left out of history books. Sponsored This Orange County Grand Jury report, released February 24, endeavors to end the political furor over Sheriff Sandra Hutchens’ formal written policy to carry a concealed weapon (CCW). According to the report, Sheriff Hutchens has the authority and the jurisdiction to establish this policy regardless of County Supervisors’ concerns. Controversy between the Supervisors and the Sheriff over the possibility of rescinding licenses has raged in recent months. The report recommends that the Sheriff be allowed to establish a CCW policy and to review current license holders to meet the criteria required by the penal code. Prior to this policy the Sheriff’s Dept. operated in accordance with the California Department of Justice “Standard Application for License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)” according to department spokesman Ryan Burris. Marino Mainero, spokesperson for Supervisor Moorlach’s office, said he was the “legal architect” of Sheriff Hutchens’ CCW policy and he was “glad that the Grand Jury issued the report” to settle this matter. He agreed that the Department of Justice standard exists but there was no definition of “good cause” for a person to have a CCW license. The Sheriff has bigger issues to resolve within her department and he singled out the “budget crunch caused by a decline in revenue from Proposition 172” as an example. Legal analysis of the Fullerton Observer Page 5 Grand Jury Report by Fritz von Coelln “Let the Sheriff do Her Job!” CCW by Mainero may be seen on Supervisor Moorlach’s site at www.oc.ca.gov. According to Kristin Thornton, spokesperson for Supervisor Bate’s office, the policy is acceptable to implement, however, unwarranted public comments became “hostile to the process.” The Grand Jury report may be seen at www.ocgj.org The policy is already in effect (the implementation of the CCW policy may be seen at the Sheriff’s website www.ocsd.org). As a result of this report two significant issues remain to be resolved by the Grand Jury. Firstly, there is a leak in the dike of confidentiality! The Orange County Register received a “confidential copy” of the report before being released by the Grand Jury. Someone is guilty of purloining a copy of the report in conflict with Grand Jury rules. In the investigation process, the Grand Jury reviews the report with the involved parties prior to release: in this case the Sheriff’s office and the Board of Supervisors. Secondly, since the CCW implementation is a fact, what significant issues facing our county should the Grand Jury investigate? According to Brook de Baca, spokesperson for CEO Tom Mauk’s office, Grand Jury members met with the Sheriff, the Supervisors and many county department heads during the familiarization process. Issues requiring investigation were provided to them during these meetings. If its Musical, We Have It! 871-1805 MO’s Fullerton resident Karen Owens with her daughter accepted the honor for her mother Mary Owens who could not attend the reception held for those interviewed in a new book on the history and experiences of black Americans in Orange County.. by the CSUF Center for Oral & Public History, the book was inspired by CSUF Professor Emeritus Larry de Graaf’s history class. Other Fullerton residents honored were Adleane and Jerry Hunter, Ruth May, Ed Caruthers, Wacira Gethaiga, Rev. James Carrington, and Natalie Kennedy and her late husband Ralph. Look for more photos and excerpts from the book in upcoming issues. Serving You for over 50 years! Fullerton Music Centers Over 20,000 square feet of Musical Fun! Orange County’s Oldest & Most Complete Full Line Music Store & Gift Shop EVERY KIND OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FROM BAGPIPES TO PIANOS Ethnic & Unusual Instruments • Instruction: Private & Group Classes • Over 2,000 square feet dedicated to Sheet Music! • Rentals •School Band Headquarters • Repairs: All Brands - All Instruments OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm & Fri/Sat 10am-6pm 121 N. HARBOR BLVD DOWNTOWN FULLERTON (just north of Commonwealth-Ample parking at back)
Page 1 and 2: PUBLIC MEETINGS Fullerton City Hall
Page 3: EARLY-MARCH 2009 More Bad News Pick
Page 7 and 8: EARLY-MARCH 2009 OBSERVERS AROUND T
Page 9 and 10: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Fullerton High’s
Page 11 and 12: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Continued from pag
Page 13 and 14: EARLY-MARCH 2009 REVIEWED by Joyce
Page 15 and 16: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Maestro Dean Ander
Page 17 and 18: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Orange Empire Barb
Page 19 and 20: EARLY-MARCH 2009 LOCAL ONLY CLASSIF

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