Page 5 Foothills Sentry MARCH 2026 "Safety" continued from page 1 Assistance League to honor David Wilson Assistance League of Orange invites the community to honor the 2026 Community Circle Award recipient, David Wilson. Join Assistance League on Sunday, April 12 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, as members come together to “Embrace Orange — Driven by Purpose, Fueled by You.” David Wilson, of Wilson Automotive, is a longtime community champion whose influence has been felt throughout Orange County since his start at Toyota of Orange in 1982. His dedication to philanthropy has shaped countless lives, and Assistance League is proud to celebrate his legacy of generosity, leadership and service. Proceeds from the event directly fuel the organization’s numerous volunteer-driven programs that aid students and teachers, infants, vulnerable women, seniors and veterans. For ticket reservations, underwriting/sponsorship opportunities, and information about membership, see assistanceleague.org/ orange. was that raised walks could delay fire trucks and first responders. Tay said that they had tested the concept with a firetruck and it had no difficulties with raised walks. “Our recommendation considered impacts to emergency response.” Would there be an advantage to raised walks further from the Plaza?, Dumitru inquired. Yes, Tay said. Doing it at upstream intersections could provide a stepdown. Mayor Dan Slater wanted to know how high the raised walks would be (eight inches) and at what speed splitter islands would be effective. He also confirmed that when driving down Chapman at night, the lighting made it look like the street continued on straight. He also noted that there were people in the Plaza at midnight. "We have to stop cars,” he stressed. We don’t want innocents plowed down.” Narrowing the field Islands, the council was told, are not speed prevention devices. They are a channelizer to make a vehicle move in a given direction. If you hit it, you might hit the brakes, it might wake you up, but it is not a speed control recommendation. Ana Gutierrez acknowledged her concerns with “so many bollards,” and potential loss of life. She advocated for islands and raised crosswalks. She also sided with traffic calming methods placed upstream of the Plaza entry, about a block back or so. “I think putting them at the Plaza is too late.” John Gyllenhammer supported bollards and turning off the Plaza park lights. “A person might hit the bollards, but it is the right thing to do to save innocent life,” he said. “I want to close the loop on bollards,” Denis Bilodeau underlined. “There are concerns about liability, but I’m supporting them because a reputable engineering firm is recommending them." The price is tight The bollards are estimated to cost $300,000, as is the installation of splitter islands. The cost of raised walkways has not yet been explored. Where, council members wondered, are we going to get the money? Likely sources, City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand explained, are gas taxes and grants. Gutierrez suggested reaching out to county supervisors. “They might allocate money for safety improvements,” she noted. "They did help us out with the fountain restoration.” “We don’t have the money,” Barrios said. “Grants take a long time to get. I think bollards and lighting is the answer for now.” The council voted 6-1 to proceed with bollards and turning off Plaza lighting at night. Tavoularis was the lone dissenter. Gardener protects endangered species on his home turf Woman's Club of Orange honors members Orange resident Steve Tyler has turned his garden into a Certified Wildlife Habitat, recognized by the National Wildlife Federation The Freemasons Orange Grove Lodge 295 installed its news officers for 2026. They are, front row, from left, Karl Sandhoff, past master, tiler; David Solven, senior deacon; Keith Jones, senior warden; Don Leon Ancheta (seated), worshipful master; Scott Holland, junior warden; James Segerstrom, past master, junior steward; Gabriel Davis, senior steward. Second row, from left, Erick Alvarado, past master, chaplin; Brett Fisher, historian; Keoni Kamura, marshal; Shawn McCuen, junior deacon. Third row, from left, David Shaffer, musician; Dennis Rootes Jr., past master, treasurer; James Berry, past master, secretary. Back center, Jonathan Tierney, assistant secretary. The Orange Grove Lodge was chartered in 1888 and has been located in the same building in the Orange Circle since 1922. The Woman’s Club of Orange presented its Heart Award for this year to Sharee Fox and Joan StarrPanther. Both recipients were recognized for their dedication and service behind the scenes. Fox has been a member since 2021 and serves on the Fundraising Committee. Starr-Panther works full-time and serves as a leader in the newly formed evening Social Section. Seen here from left above, Joan Starr-Panther, Sharee Fox and WCO President Carol Allen. The club also celebrated past presidents at its February general meeting. From left, Irene Serna, Carol Allen, Anna Fairchild and Suzanne Vaugine. (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization. Part of the federation’s Garden for Wildlife movement, home gardeners are encouraged to create spaces that support birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Every Certified Wildlife Habitat provides natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young, and is sustainably maintained by incorporating native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides. Tyler says he joined the movement because he thought it was important due to the increasing numbers of endangered species, especially monarch butterflies and native honey bees. He started his pursuit of a wildlife friendly environment by removing his lawns in 2000. "At that time I was scorned by the neighbors,” he says, “But now others have followed suit." He initially put in 35 native plants and has been adding to their numbers ever since. His landscaping is now visited by monarchs, swallowtails and bees. His bluebird nesting box has hosted several clutches, which fledged. Bluebirds, he notes, are off the endangered list because people set up nesting boxes. Started in 1973, the Garden for Wildlife movement is the nation’s oldest and largest native plant/ habitat program, recognizing over 300,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens. Tyler was given a personalized certificate with a unique habitat number and the right to post a Certified Wildlife Habitat yard sign. Plaza lights could make it appear to a speeding, impaired driver that Chapman Avenue continues in a straight line. Red lines indicate incursions into Plaza Park between 2018 and 2025. David Wilson Central Dems host campaign consultant Art club features gouache artist The Central Orange County Democratic Club will host Campaign Consultant Andre Charles on Wednesday, March 25, who will explain OC voter demographics and the path to a blue wave in November. The meeting will also be preceded by a signmaking soiree for the No Kings rallies the following weekend. Sign-making starts at 6 p.m., snacks and shmooze at 6:30 p.m., general meeting at 7 p.m. RSVP at CentralOCDems@gmail.com is required to attend. All are welcome at Central OC Dems meetings, held on the fourth Wednesday of each month in Tustin. Andrew Cortez will demonstrate how a gouache (wash) is done at Orange Art Association’s Monday, March 9 meeting at the Community of Christ Church, 395 So. Tustin Street in Orange. Member competition signups are at 7 p.m. Demo at 7:30. Further info, call Pat at (714) 538-8069.
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