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Page 5 Foothills Sentry JUNE 2024 JOHNSON MOTORCARS 34 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson 714-997-2567 982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867 gary@johnsonmotorcars.com @ ramblingroseoc "Orange faces" continued from page 1 "OUSD board" continued from page 1 "Orange council" continued from page 1 ly to get you more money from citizens, only from developers, lobbyists and contractors.” Eliminating the prohibition of committee-to-committee contri- butions is the main reason Grin- dle attended the last two council meetings and stayed until mid- night for this one. “The purpose of that ordinance,” she said, “is to enforce campaign contribution limits and prevent funneling or laundering of contributions.” As an example, she explained, an individual or special interest group could give Candidate A $1,500 and then give Candidate B’s candidate-controlled com- mittee the same amount, with the provision that it be passed on to Candidate A. “It’s creating a loophole,” she said. Dumitru defended both ordi- nance changes. He pointed out that most cities in Orange Coun- ty have higher campaign limits than Orange; that the city hasn’t increased its limit since 2006; and that despite being by-district, campaign costs are still high. He also advised that Orange, Anaheim and Orange County are the only jurisdictions in the entire country that prohibit contribu- tions from candidate-controlled committees. He cited court cases where the practice was over- turned because the arguments in favor of it were “hypothetical and insufficient.” “The prohibition is not based on any legislative find- ings,” he said. Unclear on the concept City Attorney Mike Vigliotti noted that the constitutionality of the ordinance is unclear and could be challenged. Shirley Grindle, however, has court cases to back her posi- tion. In a written statement to the council, she informed them that this same provision was upheld in State v. Alaska Civil Liberties Union and that the California At- torney General’s office has twice ruled the prohibition is constitu- tional. Regarding Orange’s standing as a virtual lone wolf in disal- lowing contributions from candi- date committees, Arianna Barrios countered, “Even if we are the only ones in the world that have that, it doesn’t make us wrong. Standing up for the right thing – even in principle –is the right thing to do.” Denis Bilodeau offered that higher contribution limits or transfers made little difference because new state law keeps elected officials from voting on any issue that involves an entity that donated more than $250 to a campaign, and prohibits that offi- cial from accepting money from that entity for 12 months after a vote. preserving the services they have come to expect. “I don’t want to defund public service,” said resident Eugene Fields. “We need public services. As a homeowner whose home value went up 11.5% in the last year, those public services helped my property value. I’m more than willing to kick in, to pay a sales tax increase. I’ll tell my friends to pay it. I’ll walk for you, I’ll talk to people, I'll do the work. We need our services.” One percent solution At a community budget meet- ing at El Camino Park two days later, Kisela said that while a three-quarter percent increase wouldn’t quite cover the deficit, a full percent would, with room to spare. Assistant City Manager Susan Galvan explained how the money from a possible sales tax increase would be spent. In the event of the maximum 1% increase, it would generate an estimated ad- ditional $40 million annually. That money would first go to the long list of deferred projects and payments the city has been put- ting off over the last 15 years. “There's a difference between a balanced budget and a healthy budget, and it's a huge differ- ence,” Kisela said, using the city’s fuel cost as an example. He explained that although those costs are around $1 mil- lion, the city has been budgeting $800,000. “If you're only funding part, you might be balancing the budget, but it's not healthy.” The remainder of the money would go into reserves to ensure that the city would be covered in the event of a future financial crisis. Discussion ongoing The city council meets again on June 11, and must make a fi- nal decision to put a sales tax in- crease on the November ballot by its June 25 meeting. The deadline to file the initiative with the coun- ty Registrar of Voters is June 30. The council asked staff to ex- plore a temporary one-half per- cent, three-quarters percent and one percent sales tax that would be in effect for five, 10 or 20 years for the next meeting. Slater said the ad hoc budget committee would bring back a list of budget cuts. The council will continue to collect community feedback via its budget crisis webpage, as well as through additional community meetings with Kisela. speak and can compromise.” Jessica Nettles reported that she “had no idea about board meetings,” but is now aware “that it truly matters who is sitting up there on the dais. The rot is out, it’s time to move forward and be respectful like we teach our chil- dren to be.” An abundance of talent Applicants were given five minutes each to introduce them- selves. No questions were asked. It was clear from the onset that choosing just two people would be a daunting task for the board. Every applicant offered a skill, experience, interest or back- ground that would compliment the board. Almost all have, or had, chil- dren in the district, or attended OUSD schools themselves. Each one noted the need for civility, compromise, diversity, a passion for public education and the drive to create an environment wherein students can succeed. “Where did all these wonderful people come from?” one incred- ulous constituent asked during a break. “Any one of them would be a welcome board member.” “I’m overwhelmed by the qual- ity of the candidates who have come forward,” Kathy Moffat, a former OUSD trustee, enthused. “I’m proud to see so many quali- fied candidates,“ Resident Kim Vanderhood agreed. “Choosing only two is a great problem to have.” Board members were equally enthusiastic about the applicants. “I am amazed at the quality of all the applicants,” Yamasaki said. “They are all involved in schools and the community. Filling these seats is challenging. We need someone who can hit the ground running.” Community steps up “I’m incredibly grateful and heartened by the interest taken in filling these seats,” Kris Erick- son acknowledged. “There was a grassroots movement for better governance and it gave people hope. I am truly blown away by the applicants. You all have attri- butes that make you suited to be a board member. We have an em- barrassment of riches.” Student Board Member Nancy Albino was overcome by the cali- ber of the applicants. “I’m touched by how passion- ate you are about your families, history, and roots in the city," she said. "Your stories mean so much to me, as a student.” Erickson subsequently nomi- nated Sara Pelly for Area 4. Con- sidering her general educational and specific OUSD background, she noted that going forward, “We must focus on academics, and Pelly can help us do that.” Ana Page seconded the nomination; the board voted, 4-0, to appoint her. Erickson also nominated Glass for Area 7, based on his his- tory with OUSD and the City of Orange, and his commitment to diversity and equal opportunities in education. Rumsey seconded; the vote was again 4-0. The new board members were sworn in at the May 9 meeting. They will serve until the Novem- ber election. Tag team contributions Bilodeau favored committee- to-committee transfers because they would allow one candidate to support another without hav- ing to write a check themselves. “I may want to support another candidate, but I’m not a wealthy man. I can, however, direct my committee to donate to that can- didate,” he noted. Dumitru elaborated. “My suc- cess as a candidate is dependent on other people’s support. It is incumbent on me to support other candidates.” The council voted 6-1 to in- crease the contribution limits, with Ana Gutierrez opposed. The vote to eliminate the prohibition of intra-committee transfers was approved by Dumitru, Bilodeau, John Gyllenhammer and Kathy Tavoularis. Arianna Barrios, Gutierrez and Mayor Dan Slater voted no. “I have to defer to someone who has devoted her entire life to this effort," Slater said. “Just because it’s only in Orange, Ana- heim and the county, is not a good reason to drop it. Perhaps other cities should hold us up and say this is a model of the correct di- rection of where this should go.” The new Orange Unified School District Board of Education consists of, from left, Angie Rumsey, Steven Glass, Andrea Yamasaki, Ana Page, Sara Pelly, John Ortega and Kris Erickson. Farewell to Ristorante Genovese Locals have wistfully watched as bulldozers flattened the shut- tered family-run Italian staple, known for its old-school charm, friendliness and wonderful pasta sauces. The site at 214 N. Tustin is slated to become a Jim’s Origi- nal restaurant, with a drive-thru. The original Jim, a young im- migrant, created the Maxwell Street Polish sausage sandwich and sold them on a corner in Chi- cago 80 years ago.