Foothills Sentry - June 2022

Page 5 Foothills Sentry June 2022 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 2022 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 Criminal intent Dear Editor: In theApril 2022 issue appeared an article titled, “Crime rates in Orange portray more sticky fin- gers than fisticuffs.” To me, that implies that minor crimes, such as stealing, are just fine. Not to me. Minor crime, unenforced and without consequence, leads to major crime. And I dispute the “fact” that violent crime is on the decrease. A few weeks ago, I was enjoy- ing a walk along the Santiago Creek Trail, east of Mabury Road, on a beautiful spring day, mind- ing my own business. Suddenly and without warning, I was ap- proached from behind by a male who blocked my free path of trav- el along the trail, began cursing in a foreign language and threat- ening me with bodily harm. The suspect brandished a large knife toward me in a very threatening manner. I was scared, since I had no escape route or any immediate means to adequately defend my- self. I retreated and called the police. Police responded; the knife was recovered, and the suspect was later contacted and detained fur- ther down the trail, toward San- tiago Oaks Park, in possession of another edged weapon. The lackluster police response resulted in the suspect being ar- rested for outstanding warrants and nothing else. I found the re- sponse disappointing. However, given the way our police have been dismissed and demoral- ized the past few years by certain segments of society, media and politicians, I do sympathize with them and somewhat understand. At least the dangerous suspect was removed from the area, due to the outstanding warrants. To the best of my knowledge, no po- lice report or documentation of the event occurred. Officially, violent crime, “fisticuffs” as you call it, may be down in our city, but I don’t believe it. Crime only occurs when it is reported. If a crime is not reported, it never occurred. No crime report = no crime. We may not be as safe as we are led to believe. Fortunately, I was not attacked or injured. Even along that beau- tiful trail, often frequented by people walking alone, bad things can and do happen. Always be aware of your surroundings, and be prepared to protect and defend yourself at any moment. Violent crime IS on the rise. It simply is not being reported. Be safe, be aware. Stan Faulwetter Orange Still no waters Dear Editor: Five swim seasons with no pool. You read that right, El Modena High has not had a pool in five years! It was a February after- noon in 2018 when water was pouring out of a crack on the pool deck. The school district’s days of putting band-aids on decades-old problems had come to a head and the feet-dragging began. The lack of urgency, back and forth, and finally a choice to approve a subpar-sized pool, was approved a few years later. Then came bidding issues and other backdoor problems, prolonging the project more. All of these came even before COVID. In five years, swimmers have watched a football stadium be rebuilt and an entire science building completed. In the meantime, we have lost quality swimmers and water polo players to other schools. Not to mention the lack of equity this has brought to our aquatics program. Practices have been held at Villa Park or Orange in the evenings, with no bussing provided, causing our programs to lose even more athletes. With the grand opening date pushed back to July 1, it’s safe to say that this year’s graduating seniors were never given the opportunity to step foot in their own school’s homepool.When the aquatic center is complete it will be wonderful, but it’s hard for the athletes and parents to be excited after being inconvenienced and let down all these years. So, on July 1st, I hope I don’t see any OUSD school board members at the grand opening. This was not a project you fully supported or pushed for; you only approved it because it needed to be done. This photo op is not for you. A. Otellio Orange Man with a plan Dear Editor: I’ve been asked about my plan to bring resolution to the “eye- sore” known as the Sully-Miller property. Here’s my plan: 1. Milan must be forced to clean up its mess. It’s an illegal dumpsite and likely has toxic material in it. The site must be restored and be environmentally safe – for future use and for near- by residents. 2. Immediately, the city council should rezone the property from “Sand and Gravel” to “Open Space.” This will finally send the important message to developers that development is not what the citizens want (as proven by two referendums) and that the city is moving in another direction. 3. Once the site is cleaned up, Orange citizens can begin to en- vision what this PERMANENT OPEN SPACE could look like. 4. Once that plan is in place, we can pursue grants to make the vi- sion a reality. All of this will take time and patience, but I look forward to the day when this land is transformed from an “eyesore” into an open space that Orange can truly be proud of. Dan Slater, candidate for mayor Orange Cash for kids Dear Editor: California is expected to have another massive budget surplus this year, with most estimates pro- jecting revenues in the tens of bil- lions of dollars over expenses. As the governor and the legislature prepare to negotiate this year's budget, their top priority should be lifting children up out of pov- erty. The most effective way to do this is direct cash payments. Danett Abbott-Wicker Orange Dear Editor: I have been a Villa Park resident since 1990 and live near the Wanda Greenbelt strip. Although I scrutinized photos of the plans for the revitalization of the area, and noted the cute orange- crate-type signage, in none of those plans was a wrought iron vine-covered fence evident or discussed. Regardless, such a fence was installed last week and, per the city manager, is going to be covered by a lovely vine, which the city intends to maintain. With said fence standing variably 1-12 inches from the existing fence, it will be challenging to maintain control of the vine. Rats are a problem in Villa Park, even to the extent that in 2017, classrooms at Villa Park Elementary, which is a few blocks from the new fence location, were evacuated when rodent mites were biting staff and students. OC Vector Control was called in to assist in resolving the issue. Vector Control defines public nuisance as any property, artificially altered from its natural condition so that it harbors vectors. Vectors are any animal capable of transmitting human disease or producing human discomfort or injury, including, but not limited to, mosquitoes, flies, mites, ticks and rodents. I would like to have it noted that I consider said new fence plant- ing in the Villa Park Knowles to be a public nuisance and potential health hazard. Please reconsider before city funds are wasted on the proposed rat hostel and breed- ing area. Barbara J. Doty, DVM Villa Park "Budget" continued from page 1 operators. The goal, explained City Manager Rob Houston, is to boost the number of fire fighters per ladder truck from three to four, by taking them out of rescue vehicles and replacing them with ambulance operators. The department has been operating with only three people per ladder truck since 2016, when it needed to reassign personnel to staff a fourth ambulance. Most firefighters are also EMTs, Fire Chief Sean de- Metropolis explained. They can be assigned to rescue vehicles, but the city is better served when they are on ladder trucks. “We’re used to working with only three per truck, it’s not a problem,” he said, “but the optimum number is four.” The new ambulance opera- tors will staff the city’s four res- cue vehicles as well as an added fifth for backup. Chief deMetropolis was ap- plauded by council members for the “innovative” approach to staffing ladder trucks by hiring less expensive ambulance opera- tors. When asked about unfilled positions, he said he had none. He acknowledged that 26 retirements are predicted. Asked if he was planning for those departures, the chief replied that the department does not need to introduce incen- tives because “plenty of people want this job.” A vision vacuum A recurring theme during both the April 26 and May 10 discus- sion was strategic planning, or as Councilman Chip Monaco called it, a “vision for the city.” Budgets are forecast 10 years out, but that is apparently the extent of the city’s planning. Monaco pointed out, during the April session, that the council had not had any strategic planning meetings since he’d been a member. “We have not decided as a council what our priorities are,” he said. “We should be leading this discussion. We should be doing it frequently. Department heads need to know what our tar- get is. We have to set a common vision. When we have seven vi- sions, nothing gets done.” Monaco asked the city manger to schedule a strategic planning meeting for later this summer. Houston agreed that it is a great idea for all city departments to forecast their needs and set high- er-level goals in conjunction with city council priorities, because “we’re all in this together.” When the topic was revisited May 10, Tavoularis asked that the city consider five-year plans that would extend from chief to chief, and from one city council to the next. Kim Nichols suggested that strategic planning should include the full needs of the city and not be limited to a few departments. Survey says Arianna Barrios emphasized that any strategic planning should include a community needs as- sessment. “We need to ask resi- dents what they want, what is im- portant to them,” she said. “It’s a big component that we haven’t taken advantage of.” She sug- gested that a community needs survey could be done “in the $50 to $100K range.” “Put that on the wish list,” Murphy advised. While all city council members attended the April 26 session, Ana Gutierrez and Chip Monaco were absent May 10. Revitalized Orange Public Schools Foundation signs agreement with district A Memorandum of Understanding between Orange Unified School District and the Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation (OUPSF) was approved by the Board of Education, May 5, effectively reviving the district’s long- dormant fundraising arm. OUPSF is a group of parents, educators, and community leaders whose mission is to mobilize the community to provide equitable opportunities for all students to learn creatively, think innovatively, and collaborate effectively. They are dedicated to bolstering Orange Unified School District by augmenting the resources that enrich OUSD students’ experience and equip them to succeed in their education, career, and life. During their presentation at the May Board of Education meet- ing, OUPSF introduced its steer- ing committee members, its new logo – designed by Villa Park High senior Anya Valdivia – and revealed plans to raise money to support the district’s visual and performing arts, student mental health and enrichment programs, as well as fund teacher grants and student scholarships in the 2022- 23 school year. To kick off fundraising efforts OUPSF is selling senior gradu- ation banners to be displayed at Fred Kelly Stadium during com- mencement ceremonies. Banners may be purchased at oupsf.org. “It’s Coming Up Roses” for VPWL Villa Park Women’s League will celebrate and thank this year’s board and hold its instal- lation of new executive officers for the 2022-23 year on Thurs- day, June 23, with the theme “It’s Coming Up Roses.” The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Room of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange. The new officers for the up- coming year are: Risa Scott, president; Sandy Bass, first vice president, programs; Pam Dunn, second vice president, philanthro- py; Carla Gilkerson, third vice president, membership; Barbara Perez, recording secretary; Can- dy Carlberg, treasurer; and Eva Wyszkowski, parliamentarian. All members are invited to at- tend; see vpwl.org for informa- tion and membership.