Foothills Sentry June 2023

Page 5 Foothills Sentry June 2023 Circulation … 40,000 Published on the last Tuesday of each month and distributed to residences, businesses, libraries and civic centers. Printing by Advantage, Inc. 714-532-4406 Fax: 714-532-6755 foothillssentry.com 1107 E. Chapman Ave., #207 Orange, CA 92866 © Foothills Sentry 2023 Publisher/Editor Anita Bennyhoff 1969-2013 Editor Tina Richards editor@foothillssentry.com Sports Editor Cliff Robbins sportseditor@att.net Graphic Designer Stephanie Gundran graphics@foothillssentry.com Advertising Sales Andie Mills advertising@foothillssentry.com 714-926-9299 Office Manager Kathy Eidson officemanager@foothillssentry. com in order to build a 37-unit con- dominium complex. While the county is considering this plan, residents can only see the false claims, negative impacts, and the bad precedent it would set for OC neighborhoods. The developer claims that the units would provide either senior or affordable housing in order to get zoning approval to build. But two-story units at $1.5+ million are neither viable senior housing nor affordable. Plus, there are already thou- sands of units in development that are priced lower and can serve people who really need af- fordable housing in areas with both public transportation and services nearby. What about fire safety? Area residents have real fire and life safety concerns, and want to know how it would be safe to add more density in an area that is a web of cul-de-sacs with limited access less than one-half mile straight downwind from a very high fire danger zone. Would county ap- proval put residents at risk? And where would all the regu- lar users of THRC go instead? The already over-crowded pub- lic facilities are not a solution. Both THRC members and non- members use the club for tennis, pickleball, swimming, fitness and events; including youth and adult lessons, clinics, and tournaments. So, one has to ask, is the county prepared to build new courts and a pool at taxpayer expense, and maintain them to accommodate that extra pressure? Residents depend on exist- ing county zoning, planning, and rules for safety and consistency. If non-resident developers can get county approval to build anything anywhere by attempting to use laws that don’t apply, what is the point of zoning at all? Approving a non-conforming project like this with all the nega- tive impacts to the community would set a bad precedent for ev- ery OC neighborhood. I hope our elected county offi- cials are not more concerned with the profits of a developer than the needs of their own constituents. Julia Dahl North Tustin Parents not politics Dear Editor: The weak attempts by outsiders to paint the OUSD recall move- ment as a joint venture of outside radicals and unions is laughable, if not offensive. We are a grass- roots movement of Orange Uni- fied parents unhappy with the sudden derailment of the school board. There is no political agen- da, other than to stop the current chaos and a desire to have a bal- anced board that reflects our com- munity, and who will make sound fiscal decisions. As the daughter of an OUSD graduate, a former OUSD stu- dent myself, the mother of OUSD graduates and a current student, my roots in this community and OUSD are deep. So is my com- mitment to keeping the political nonsense out of OUSD. Not far left or right. Centered and bal- anced. Just like Orange. Sup- porters and leadership of the re- call span the political spectrum. We aren't pawns of any political party, union, or any other boogie man. We are parents who believe in public education and want the best for ALL kids in OUSD. Ironically, it is the opposition who has ties to Proud Boys, Gays Against Groomers, Flat Earthers and other fringe right groups -- most without OUSD kids. They have called our teachers “ani- mals,” parents “groomers” and harassed students at board meet- ings. That sounds more radical to me than parents advocating for their own children, or teachers advocating for their students and themselves. As these people try to vilify the Orange teachers union, I chal- lenge them to name one decision ever made that didn’t have the best interest of our kids or our community at heart. Probably a good time to remind everyone OUR teachers were the first ones in the county to vote to go back into the classrooms during CO- VID, our teachers volunteered to reduce their pay in the financial crisis of 2008. The union has many members who live in OUSD and it shows in their actions. Do many stand against the shenanigans going on with the board now? Yes. They stand behind 1,000 angry OUSD parent volunteers leading the re- call charge. Just because we’re mad doesn’t make us radical. One can assume this is just the first of many lies that will be told about the recall. I hope that residents can see through the gas- lighting. Darshan Bryant Smaaladen OUSD parent & recall Co-chair Orange Russel Monroe with a souvenir from his Sister City guests. By Carrie Graham It was May of 1975 when Rus- sel and Sandy Monroe received a phone call from then-Orange Mayor Jess Perez. Perez had launched a “Sister City” program to host musicians from the city of Querétaro, Mexico for several days while they performed at var- ious venues in Orange. While in years past, the all- male ensemble was housed at the local YMCA, this time Perez had another idea: have the musicians stay with Orange residents to strengthen the bond between the two cities. “We told him we didn’t speak any Spanish, but if at least one person was okay with English, we’d be happy to have them,” re- calls Russel, chuckling. The Monroe living room was quickly converted to a temporary bedroom with two twin beds. On June 3, they welcomed the profes- sor, or Maestro, Aurelio Yevo and his assistant Philipe Munoz Gut- tierez into their home. Although Philipe was the designated trans- lator for the two, language was never a barrier to sharing stories over what Russel calls “the most memorable four days imagin- able.” Between performances, the bond among the group was im- mediate. On their first night in Orange, as Russel was eating his post-work dinner, Philipe and Au- relio serenaded him, something they repeated each night they were there. The couple’s kids were inspired by the musicians as well. Their oldest son spent eve- nings jamming with the men, and their daughter went on to become a drum major in high school and a Spanish major in college. One of the Monroes’ favorite memories is when Philipe spoke of his family back home. His fa- ther had become wealthy in an unconventional way: renting out showers and toilets to neighbor- ing farmers. The urban city of Querétaro was surrounded by mountainous rural communities, where access to plumbing was scarce. Philipe’s father had facili- ties on the outskirts of town that offered coin-operated bathrooms where they could freshen up be- fore continuing on to the city to do their shopping. “The next morning, I woke up and taped ‘0.25 centavos’ signs on the bathroom doors. When Philipe and Aurelio saw them, they nearly died laughing,” Rus- sel recalls. The following year, the Mon- roes were again given the oppor- tunity to host citizens of Queréta- ro, but this time it was the mayor and his wife. The mayor’s sched- ule of social engagements kept him and his wife busy, leaving lit- tle time for fun and socialization with their hosts, but they enjoyed each other’s company while they could. Both parties extended invita- tions to the Monroes to visit them in Querétaro any time they want- ed. “My limo will pick you guys up from the airport, I’ll take care of everything while you’re here, just come out,” the mayor told Russel. While they never made it down to Mexico, in 2012, Aurelio paid a surprise visit to Russel and San- dy when he visited Southern Cal- ifornia. The photos that serve as a reminder of the visit show not two men from different countries and cultures, but two old friends reunited after 37 years. Querétaro is still an Orange sis- ter city. Earlier this year, Orange gave several surplus fire engines to Queretaro. Elks celebrate youth Orange Elks celebrated Na- tional Youth Week by hosting its annual Youth Appreciation Night recognizing those who have par- ticipated in the many programs the lodge sponsors for young people. Elks Exalted Ruler Janine Storm welcomed 34 award win- ners and their families. Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 1475 pre- sented the flags, followed by the Orange High School Choir sing- ing the National Anthem. Dan Slater, Mayor of Orange, and an Orange Elks member, presented and read a Youth Week Appreciation Proclamation, also sharing his six keys to success to the young audience. Left to right, Elk Mike Cash introduces Cerro Villa Middle School video team advisor Bernard Tayag and video team Sarah Johnson, Harper Bailey, Ellie Wagner with Elroy. Scholarship winners, left to right, are Roman McGinnus, Katelyn Mar- tinez, Helena Granieri, Litzy Gomez, Simone Bilodeau, Michelle Cruz Castillo, Elroy, Exalted Ruler Janine Storm, Morgan McGinnus, Elk Lynda Einstein, Miss Orange Madeleine Chocholaty. The keynote speaker was Or- ange Police Chief and Orange Elks member Dan Adams. He challenged the young people to “Leave an impression, as impres- sions last forever,” and to “Be a positive influence, because being positive is contagious.” Awards were presented by Miss Orange Madeleine Chocholaty and Elroy T. Elk, the mascot for all Elks youth activities. Drug Awareness Chairman Mike Cash presented the Cerro Villa Middle School video team, Sarah Johnson, Harper Bailey and Ellie Wagner, and their advi- sor Bernard Tayag, with a check for $700 to purchase video equip- ment. The student video won in the District and State Drug Awareness Program competition, and is waiting for the results from the National contest. Past teams from Cerro Villa have won this competition several times, de- spite using only cell phones to make the impressive videos. Cash presented Youth Presi- dential Volunteer Service Awards to Teagan Burgueno, Sylvia Jones and Evanee Hernandez. The award is given to a young person who donates 100 to 250 hours of service to their community. Scholarship Chairman Lynda Einstein introduced seven high school seniors and scholarship recipients: Morgan McGinnus, Michelle Cruz Castillo, Simone Bilodeau, Litzy Gomez, Helena Granieri, Katelyn Martinez and Roman McGinnus. In addition to receiving a Lodge scholarship, Simone Bilodeau received Dis- trict and National level awards. Roman Umnas received a State level award. Aurelio Yevo and Russel Monroe during a 2012 visit. Sister City visit from long ago lives on