Foothills Sentry July 2023

Page 3 Foothills Sentry July 2023 Nature may come alive at Orange City Hall The lawn in front of Orange City Hall may be transformed into an oasis of native plants at the behest of Mayor Dan Slater and the work of a citizens’ committee. The garden was proposed by Slater during his campaign, and set in motion by Orange resident Thea Gavin, a writer, educator and barefoot hiker. She and a committee of like-minded lovers of Southern California native flora created a presentation on the proposed city hall “nature park” that she delivered to the city council on June 13. The lawn in front of city hall is considered “non-functional” turf because it has no purpose other than eye appeal. Kids don’t play on it; no one admires it or wanders through it for respite from city stresses. And it takes a lot of water to keep it green. “A nature park is anyplace where native plants support the life cycles of birds, butterflies and pollinators,” she said. “They create a refuge for native species that aren’t supported by imported plants. Native plants use less water and labor; Orange needs to save water and money.” More than a water saver The envisioned nature park is not comprised of the usual “drought tolerant” cactus and succulents, but will focus on flowering plants that provide blooms year-round. It would be designed for walkability and wonder. Gavin reported that two bills recently passed the state assembly that encourage rethinking nonfunctional turf. Orange has an opportunity to get ahead of the legislation and be proactive. There will be grant money available, and Gavin believes the city would have no problem procuring funds for the project. Her committee is prepared to identify funding sources. The project, she assured the council, can be built without costing the city anything. The group does need $25,000 in seed money, which, she believes, can be garnered from donations. That start-up funding would be used to design the nature park and apply for grants to pay for the project. Mayor ProTemArianna Barrios advised that there are rebates available from the Metropolitan Water District for the removal of ornamental turf. Ana Gutierrez liked the idea of “being in the forefront,” honoring the history of the region using native plants, and that the project is “citizen-led with knowledgeable people.” The council agreed that the committee should continue to explore next steps and funding options “as long as it doesn’t cost the city anything.” Tustin names Man and Woman of the Year By Mark Eliot Longtime Tustin community members Kurt Bensworth and Sharon King were selected as Tustin Area Man and Woman of the Year for 2022. The announcement was made at the annual TustinArea Man and Woman of the Year (TAMWY) awards dinner on June 2. The TAMWY program has been held for more than 60 years. Tustin individuals are recognized for their dedicated work and volunteerism in the community. Nominations for the award come from previous winners or local nonprofit organizations. This year, two men and four women were nominated for the award. Bensworth is a long-term Tustinite who has a sincere devotion and concern for the community. The 1978 Tustin High School graduate champions collaboration with many Tustin organizations, and has fostered real synergy to help the entire community. Bensworth has been an indispensable volunteer with the American Legion, Tustin Post 227. He is the founding member and commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 227, and, since 2019, has served as the post’s financial officer. Other community involvement includes serving as a docent at the Tustin Museum, board member and treasurer for the Tustin Area Historical Society, co-chair of the Tustin Museum Revitalization Committee, member of the Tustin Pride Committee and supporter of the "Friends Feeding Seniors" food delivery program. Bensworth has been a member of the Tustin Host Lions Club since 2019, currently serving as its president. As a Lions Club member, he has participated in the Tustin Chili Cook-off, Tustin Police Department Hero's Luncheon and Tustin Tiller Days. He is the recipient of the 2022 Lions International President’s Award and 2022 Lions Melvin Jones Award. Sharon King worked in the Tustin Unified School District for 26 years. She served as an instructional aide at various elementary schools, and secretary at Marjorie Veeh Elementary, Hillview High, Sycamore and Tustin Adult Education. For the past 35 years, King has been a tireless volunteer. Beginning in the Tustin schools, she served in positions from PTO co-president and treasurer, to advertising manager for the high school yearbook. King has also applied her leadership skills with Girl Scouts since 1987. King's abilities to lead and organize led her to join the local Soroptimists Chapter of Santa Ana/Tustin where she served as its president for three years. King has also volunteered for the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) as an active member of its Encore Auxiliary group, volunteering at Broadway in the Park and wherever help was needed in TACFA's art and music programs. Additionally, King has served as the volunteer chair for the Tustin Community Foundation’s Sip and Stroll event and participated on TCF’s Advisory Board. During the pandemic, King was one of the first to volunteer for TCF’s "Friends Feeding Seniors." Bensworth and King will become lifetime members of the TAMWY organization. They will also ride in the Tustin Tiller Days Parade as guests of honor and have their names etched on a walkway at the Civic Center. HERE’S THE SCOOP! HOMEMADE ICE CREAM is inside SPRINKLE’S DONUT 7520 E. Chapman Ave. C Orange, CA 92869 sweetscoops.oc S W E E T S C O O P S Kurt Bensworth Sharon King OUSD recall is underway The signature-gathering phase of the petition to recall Orange Unified Trustees Rick Ledesma and Madison Miner began June 5. Signatures will be gathered until the end of September.With 13,046 signatures needed to put the recall on the ballot, the committee plans to collect 20,000 (margin of error) from Orange Unified voters. The Recall Committee, known as Citizens for the Recall of Ledesma, Ortega, Miner and Rumsey, is led by two OUSD parents and consists of OUSD parents, teachers and community members disappointed with the unethical and fiscally irresponsible behavior of those board members. To avoid a stand-alone election, which could cost up to $1.2 million, the recall committee delayed petition submission to create a timeline that would encourage the board majority to wrap the recall election in with the March 5 Primary, costing a more palatable $313k. John Ortega and Angie Rumsey are not included in the recall at this time. They will face re-election a few months after the anticipated recall election date. A sample native plant park with year round blooms. 7540 E. Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 92869 (714) 639-9792 MEAT&DELI, PRODUCE, BAKERY, FRESH FISH, GIFT BASKETS, WINE MON-SAT: 8am - 9pmSUN: 8am - 8pm www.Pac i�i cRanchMarket.com $ OFF Excluding alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. With coupon only. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. Limit one coupon per customer. Valid only at P aci�ic Ranch Market. When You Spend $25 or More * EXPIRES: 7 /3 1 /23 5 OC’s Premier ProduceMarket