Foothills Sentry January 2021

Foothills Sentry Page 15 January 2021 Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com 1. Reinvest in another 6%WFS alternative 2. Invest elsewhere 6% Alternative 36-Month Term • $50,000 Minimum Investment • 3-Year Commitment • 6% Per Year Return (Paid Monthly) • Security: Secured Promissory Note • Exit Strategy: After 3 years, when your money is liquid, you will have the option to: RETIREMENT I WEALTH MANAGEMENT Since 1968 12419 Lewis Street, Suite 101 Garden Grove, CA 92840 714-705-1900 www.wilson-financial.com Heart of Shadowland Residential Care Facility for The Elderly Administrators & Licensee Facility #306001441 Karen Fields & Jan Soule’ (714) 710-9020 (714) 724-5186 klsfields@yahoo.com Modjeska Canyon 28342 Shadowland, Silverado, CA 92676 Happy New Year and welcome to real estate, COVID-style In 2020, home prices gained in our local market -- even dur- ing a pandemic. You’re probably wondering, how could that be possible? As COVID hit our shores, we were unsure of the severity and nature of this beast and real estate went into a panic. Homes for sale remained on the market, escrows were canceled and both sellers and buyers were concerned. Luckily, realtors were consid- ered essential workers and were quickly given strict guidelines to follow so that we could continue to help sellers and buyers, who had to sell or buy for one reason or another, maneuver through the process. Open houses were precluded, virtual showings in- creased, but in-person visits are still necessary. Here are just a few of those guidelines, in no particular order. Realtors representing buyers must submit a California Asso- ciation of Realtors form PEAD-V to the listing agent before entry is allowed. That is, the Property Entry Advisory and Declaration- Visitor form, agreeing to take all reasonable and necessary precau- tions, such as washing hands, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and avoiding touching surfaces or items in the property. There is also a similar form for sellers that puts the risks of COV- ID front and center. Sellers must indicate that they are not cur- rently, or within the past 14 days, knowingly afflicted with COVID, and have no symptoms. Some of the seller’s precau- tions are: a sign, or signs, posted near the home’s entry with COV- ID guidelines; masks at all times during the showing; gloves are also on the list, as well as dispos- able shoe covers, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and spray dis- infectants. As we fire up 2021, expect to see more of the same: masked shoppers looking at a neighbor’s home for sale near you. Maurice “Maury” Ross 1932-2020 Retired Tustin Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Mau- rice “Maury” Ross passed away on Dec. 1. He was 88 years old. Ross worked in education for nearly 45 years, and served as TUSD superintendent from 1977- 1990. Due to his leadership, test scores went up, facility needs were addressed, a comprehen- sive curriculum development was in place, and new programs ad- dressed the changing ethnicity in the district. Ross guided the dis- trict through some tough times, which included declining student enrollment, nine school closures and budgetary issues. Upon his retirement in 1990, Ross left be- hind a financially stable school district and a financial agreement with the Irvine Company to fund new schools (Tustin Ranch and parts of Irvine) that was the envy of other school districts. Ross continued his career at the University of Southern California as an Assistant Dean of Education for eight years, until his final re- tirement in 1999. Through all the challenges and successes, Ross remained strong and steady, with a focus on stu- dent achievement and academic excellence. He always believed in “surrounding yourself with qual- ity people and liking your job.” His favorite motto was “be pre- pared.” Prior to joining TUSD, Ross served as superintendent of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District in Los Angeles County, and principal of Villa Park High and McPherson Junior High in Orange. He was also an assistant principal at El Modena. Before his administrative expe- rience, he was a teacher of biol- ogy, science and physical educa- tion, as well as a football coach at Polytechnic High School in Long Beach; and a biology teacher, P.E. instructor and athletic coach at Arlington and Pawnee High Schools in Illinois. Ross received his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1953, and served as an engineer- ing officer on the USS LSM 448 and maintenance officer at the U.S. Naval Magazine in Guam. He returned to inactive duty in 1955 with the rank of Lt. j.g. A graduate of Western Illinois University, Ross earned his bach- elor’s degree in biology and phys- ical education and his master’s degree in public school adminis- tration. He received his doctorate in administration and curriculum from UCLA. Ross and his wife Gloria lived in North Tustin for 56 years. Dur- ing the 1980s, he served as presi- dent of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce and Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary Club. He was named Tu- stin Area Man of the Year by the chamber in 1984 for his dedica- tion and valuable contributions to public education and the Tustin Unified community. Ross is survived by his wife of 67 years; daughters Suzan Stahr and Jennifer Bain, and son Michael Ross – all graduates of Foothill High School; his brother Tom Ross; daughter-in-law Raine Ross; sons-in-law Rick Stahr and Tom Bain; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to TUSD Communications Office, 300 South C Street, Tustin 92780, and will be forwarded to the family. Dr. Claude Wiseman 1933-2020 Retired Tustin Unified School District administrator and teacher Dr. Claude Wiseman passed away on Dec. 3. He was 87 years old. Wiseman worked in education for 23 years – all in Tustin Uni- fied. He joined the district in 1968 as a science teacher at Foot- hill High. In 1986, he became a teacher on special assignment in science at the district office. He also served as acting assistant principal at Tustin High School. In 1988, Wiseman was promoted to assistant principal at Tustin High and remained at the school until his retirement in 1991. Wiseman earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in chemistry at Chapman University. He received his doc- torate in biochemistry fromWest- ern Colorado University. Upon his retirement, Wiseman enjoyed woodworking (making model cars, planes and wind- mills), spending time with his family and supporting worthy causes, including the Wounded Warrior Project. When not in his workshop, Dr. Wiseman tended his garden of flowers and fruit trees through hydroponics. He moved to Arizona in 2004. Wiseman is survived by his wife Suzy, and his four children and their spouses: Sheryl Van Nostran (Dennis), Melanie Ev- ans (El Rico), Stacey Morrow (Denny), and Mark Wiseman (Holly), 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His daugh- ter Melanie is a special day class teacher in TUSD and has taught at Foothill and Tustin High – the same schools as her father. Cards can be sent to Melanie Evans at THS, 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780.