Foothills Sentry January 2021

Page 5 Foothills Sentry 7 1 4 - 2 8 9 - 1 0 3 1 7 4 4 6 E . C h a p m a n A v e . • O r a n g e , C A 9 2 8 6 9 Now Open 7 Days a Week 7 AM -2 PM Zone • Behind Pacific Ranch Market • Stay Connected: Wi-Fi & Cappuccino • Breakfast, Lunch, Acai Bowls • Soft Serve Ice Cream & Milkshakes • Restaurant Seating Inside & Out Your neighborhood cafe in Orange has an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, full coffee and tea bar, açaí bowls and pastries. Come in and enjoy our homemade pastries, sauces and our specialty - our salsa! Serving food 7 days a week, 7:00am - 2:00pm Located next to Da Bianca Trattoria behind the Pacific Ranch Market. BRING IN THIS AD & RECEIVE 10% OFF A LUNCH ENTRÉE IN JANUARY January 2021 Circulation … 41,750 Published on the last Tuesday of each month and distributed to residences, businesses, libraries and civic centers. 714-532-4406 Fax: 714-532-6755 foothillssentry.com 1107 E. Chapman Ave., #207 Orange, CA 92866 © Foothills Sentry 2020 Publisher/Editor Anita Bennyhoff 1969-2013 Editor Tina Richards editor@foothillssentry.com Sports Editor Cliff Robbins sportseditor@att.net Graphic Designer Aimee Armstrong graphics@foothillssentry.com Advertising Sales Andie Mills advertising@foothillssentry.com 714-926-9299 Office Manager Kathy Eidson officemanager@foothillssentry. com The structure has been standing in nearly the same condition for close to a year. Every time I drive by, more welding is being done on the trusses at the joints. A comprehensive audit of the building and football field at VPHS needs to be done to see how much of the bond money has been wasted. Is the district, en- gineers, designers, or contractor responsible for what has to be a financial money pit and, if so, will we taxpayers be made whole? All four of our children gradu- ated from VPHS. During their tenure, we were involved parents and we contributed to the school. Tom Malloy Villa Park A parent asked about field practice for foot- ball vs. other athletics at VPHS: Villa Park High School Principal Dr. Ken Miller indicated that school sports teams are abiding by the return-to-play protocols au- thorized by the county, fol- lowing the district’s request to return to the field. Foot- ball, track, boys and girls basketball, cheer, softball, baseball, tennis, golf and aquatics student-athletes are participating in conditioning and training, staying dis- tanced, following appropri- ate sanitation protocols and guidelines. Miller stated, “I am proud of our coaches and teachers for rising to the occasion, and for the great leadership by the district.” "Letters" continued from page 4 from the State Office of Historic Preservation. The CLG program is a partnership among local gov- ernments, the State of California and the National Park Service. She asked that a discussion of CLG status be incorporated into the already-scheduled January discussion of the design review and other committees. City Man- ager Rick Otto assured her that, yes, staff could study the concept and report back in January. Make it whole Ana Gutierrez, who lives in the city portion of El Modena, asked that the council consider annexing county islands. “There are two is- lands in District 5,” she reported. “People couldn’t participate in this election. They contribute to the local economy. The city al- ready supplies some services to those areas.” She asked city staff to look into what it would take to “make El Modena whole.” Murphy suggested that the city solicit community interest first. “It’s my experience,” he said, “that it usually is not welcomed.” Gutierrez also raised the issue of public comments during the time of COVID and remotely conducted council meetings. Because members of the public cannot appear at council meet- ings in person, they are required to submit comments in writing by 11 a.m. the day of the meeting. Comments are then read aloud by a city staff member. “How was it decided to conduct comments in this form?” she asked. Look alive “I think comments should be given by the public, if that is their choice.” She also suggested "New council" continued from page 1 that council members remain on screen while comments are being read. “I think we can do this bet- ter,” she advised. Murphy told her he’d be hap- py to discuss it with her offline. “Were surpassing state standards for what is required,” he ex- plained. “There are technological limitations.” Alvarez asked that staff look to other cities that allow live com- ments and find out how that is handled. “I have the list,” Mur- phy said. “It’s not that long.” Gutierrez also suggested that the council take time during meet- ings to recognize a local business that’s thinking outside the box in its response to COVID. She wanted to mention two business- es right then, but was instructed to wait until the next meeting. Pay back Dumitru, who was on the city council in 2011 when it voted to eliminate compensation for coun- cil members, asked that his col- leagues consider “health and wel- fare” reimbursements. “Members should be reimbursed for the costs of city-related travel,” he pointed out, “and also have the ability to obtain health insurance.” Chip Monaco added that he'd like to add compensation back into the mix. He and Alvarez had lobbied to reinstate a mod- est council salary last fall, but were thwarted by the “no” votes of Murphy and Kim Nichols. “Whether it’s compensation or health benefits, or both, the coun- cil should discuss it,” he said. “We have a new council now.” Murphy suggested an a la carte approach, wherein the council could vote for either reimburse- ment, health insurance, monthly compensation, or all of them. That discussion will appear on a future council agenda. Pictured are Co-presidents for 2021, Pat Micone (left) and Sheryl Franke. Tustin Area Republican Women Federated installs officers The Tustin Area Republican Women, Federated held its De- cember General Meeting at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge, Dec. 4, and installed its officers for 2021. The new officers, installed by Susan Blair, president of the Cali- fornia Federation of Republican Women, include Co-presidents Pat Micone and Sheryl Franke; 1st Vice Presidents, programs, Linda Barcelona and Deborah Kurilchyk; 2nd Vice Presidents, membership, Linette Johnston and Angela Stephens; Member- ship Secretary Gretchen Whistler; 3rd Vice Presidents, ways and means, Judy Levine; Treasurer Gail Rego; Recording Secretaries Peggy George and Lois Small. Guest speaker, Third District Supervisor Don Wagner, shared thoughts about the status of Or- ange County in light of the recent election and impacts of COVID. Tustin Republican Women Federated is part of one of the largest volunteer women’s orga- nizations, the National Federation of Republican Women. For more information, please visit the club’s website, Tustin- areaRWF.org. New members and membership renewals are now accepted, TustinRepWomen@ gmail.com . By Andie Mills With COVID at center stage, the Villa Park City Council held a CDC-approved private cer- emony to install Councilmen Robbie Pitts and Vince Rossini, both of whom were reappointed for a second four-year term. Their seats were not challenged in the November election. The record- ing of the formal installation was played at the virtual city council meeting, Dec. 15. Pitts, whose 2020 year as mayor was quickly derailed by the onset of the pandemic, was lauded for his countless hours spent confer- ring with other mayors and offi- cials, analyzing and strategizing, working for the betterment of the city and updating residents during this unprecedented time. In his remarks before the coun- VP council preps for new year cil elected a mayor and mayor pro tem for 2021, Pitts suggested that the council consider “freezing positions” for the new year, al- lowing the leadership in place to continue to facilitate the recovery of the city. His petition was ignored. Ros- sini acknowledged Pitts’ leader- ship, but swiftly nominated Crys- tal Miles, formerly mayor pro tem, as mayor, “in keeping with tradition.” Councilman Robert Collacott seconded the nomina- tion, and proceeded to nominate Chad Zimmerman as mayor pro tem. Miles, after a TV-style shout- out to her nieces who were watch- ing, assured the council and audi- ence that she is poised and eager to be mayor, and has many ideas for the coming year. Miles was elected as mayor by a 4-1 vote, with Pitts reiterating his request for a freeze. Zimmerman was elected mayor pro tem, 5-0. City Manager Steve Franks indicated the city has lost ap- proximately $80,000 in sales tax revenues; however, additional federal business recovery funds via the Orange County Board of Supervisors may flow to the city. Villa Park, like every other city, has requested COVID vac- cines for its residents. The city website, villapark.org , will be updated with information as to availability. Franks also reminded residents that homeless should be reported to the city, so that they may be transported to shelters in Buena Park or Placentia. Villa Park Mayor Crystal Miles