Foothills Sentry August 2024

Page 3 Foothills Sentry AUGUST 2024 served by SWD could not sup- port the projects, as rates for each household would rise astronomi- cally. They recognized that the costs to retain Santiago Creek Reservoir (aka Irvine Lake) have become unsustainable. Their goal is to increase the reliability and provide high quality water, while decreasing costs and liability. After much discussion and many meetings, the board pro- posed a three-pronged approach: to transfer ownership of the San- tiago Creek Reservoir to Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), the co-owner of the lake, thereby saving rate-payers $120 million; transfer the Howiler Treatment Plant to IRWD, negating those capital improvements, operation and maintenance costs, in ex- change for providing backup sup- plies to SWD in the future; there would be a new connection from IRWD for backup water from the Metropolitan Water District, Dyer Road Well Field and Orange Park Acres Well, for additional reli- ability. The Serrano Water District will continue to be run from within Villa Park, and will continue to provide water to SWD custom- ers from wells within the district, more reliably, and with rates that will remain competitive with oth- er county water districts. The final tally of liability for SWD capital improvements would shrink from approximately $150 million, to $15 million, a huge savings for SWD water customers. It is estimated that the respec- tive SWD and IRWD legal staffs will complete the agreements for a November 2024 transfer of rights. "Water flowing" continued from page 1 Frank Cook details the provenance of an 1856 58-caliber Zouave rifle, a French firearm used by Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. The ladies of the Post Auxiliary welcome visitors; from left, Toni Munoz, Susie Flores, Rita Licerio, Silvia Bacolot and Susan Wood. Post 132 opens its doors to the community American Legion Post 132 held an open house, June 23, focused on veterans’ services and commu- nity programs. Guests were in- vited to chat with representatives from the Veterans Administration as well as members of the Post’s Auxiliary, Sons, and Riders, American Veterans United and the United Mexican American Veterans Association. The post museum was open, with Legion- naire Frank Cook on hand to pro- vide an impromptu history of the artifacts. A fundraising bake sale was augmented with cups and saucers from the 1940s, available for purchase. The dinnerware had been stored, unused, in the post’s kitchen for decades. Open house organizers saw the historical pieces as something that should be shared with the community. Music, food and games for kids rounded out the event. Ground broken for Crawford Canyon Park By Scott Logue Construction has finally be- gun on Crawford Canyon Park, a neighborhood oasis that has been planned and promised since 2018. Located at the corner of Craw- ford Canyon Road and Newport Boulevard, North Tustin neigh- bors and families are eager to access the new community area, complete with picnic tables, benches, playgrounds, exercise areas, bike racks and a wood pe- destrian bridge. Entry will be made easy with a much-needed extension of the existing sidewalk along Craw- ford Canyon, connecting several neighborhoods near Panorama Elementary to the new park. Crawford Canyon Park was originally proposed in 2018, as part of an agreement between the Clearwater Senior Living developer and OC Parks, and negotiations with the Foothill Communities Association (FCA). The developer agreed to pay for the park’s construction, and transferred a portion of the funds when it received a building per- mit from the county; the remain- der was paid when Clearwater was granted a Certificate of Oc- cupancy in 2021. The projected late 2022/early 2023 opening was delayed by the pandemic, and then again by the sidewalk extension. That project required separate permits, a sepa- rate bidding process and a sepa- rate contract award. Today the 2.5-acre parcel is subject to clearing, grading, fenc- ing, followed by lighting, irriga- tion, parking and landscaping. Completion is anticipated to be in early 2025. FCA, which has been dogging this project for six years, is happy to see the fruition of its efforts. To learn more about how FCA has supported North Tustin resi- dents for over 60 years, or to be- come a member, visit FCAhome. org. Members of Post 132 staff the signup table at the open house; from left, Post Commander Victor de La Rosa, Bill Stringfield, James Gomez and Tom Duprey. CPOC to host hoe-down The Conservative Patriots of Orange County (CPOC) is hold- ing a western-themed BBQ and dance, Saturday, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. at the El Rodeo Equestrian Center in Brea. The hoe-down features music by the James Kelly Band, great food, fellowship and a surprise guest speaker. Auction items will be up for bid. Advance registration is re- quired by Aug. 13 at conserva- tivepatriotsofoc.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Long awaited construction of Crawford Canyon Park is underway. Photos by Tony Richards Photos by Scott Logue