Page 5 Foothills Sentry AUGUST 2025 Turning point Dear Editor: I believe July 3 was one of the saddest days in modern American history. It marks the largest healthcare withdrawal in American history. Seventeen million Americans in our country will lose their Medicaid and ACA insurance. Small business owners will face skyrocketing healthcare costs, while people will have their SNAP and WIC benefits cut back, leading to food insecurity and increased health risks. All of this is being done solely to finance tax cuts for billionaires and the wealthiest corporations that don’t even need them. I have never witnessed or prepared for the catastrophic consequences this will have for many people. It is devastating. Mark Moore Orange Zooming in Dear Editor: Re: open town hall meetings hosted by Young Kim Whereas I don’t like the idea of the Senate slipping in a surprise projected sale of the Cleveland National Forest as part of the Big Beautiful Bill, I can see why Young Kim and Supervisor Don Wagner might be advised by the local police to switch from an in-person meeting to a Zoom meeting. This last year, I went to a town hall in the Tustin Community Center, right next door to the police station. Young Kim had arranged for 10 vendors who offer services to seniors and homeless vets to be there. The 10 representatives went to the front of the room and described their services. What I didn’t notice was the number of people coming into the room as they were speaking and quietly taking a seat. When it came to the questionand-answer part, one lady stood up and screamed, “What are you going to do about the bombing in Gaza? You have blood on your hands.” Then, one by one, approximately 25% of the audience stood up and screamed some more. They took over the meeting. Luckily, the police were next door and they came into the room. I quietly slipped out the back as I didn’t want to have any part of the new protest. The point is, as carefully as you may plan a peaceful protest to speak to elected officials, there are “bad actors” who follow these politicians who feel free to change the subject and voice their opinion in a disrespectful manner. I did find it interesting that the public is trying to hold the local Republican representatives accountable for the actions of the Democratic senators that did not prevent insertion of the Cleveland National Forest wording into the senate bill. Gwen Masters North Tustin Ed. Note: The sale of public lands was removed from the budget bill by the Senate parliamentarian because it is a policy issue, and policy changes cannot be included in a reconciliation bill. It's the economy Dear Editor: The story our city council should be telling is of economic development, renewed growth and a city in financial recovery. That narrative is getting lost. Economic development is: • Getting current businesses to stay healthy and grow • Attracting new businesses to our city and supporting them to keep them in our city • Getting current residents to spend money in our city • Increasing sales tax collections and maintaining the increase. People go where they feel welcome and safe, which means their money and businesses go with them. Sales tax follows where people spend their money. City councilmembers and community members asked the city for help because businesses and residents are being harmed. People stopped shopping and eating out, which caused businesses to not make money and the city to collect less sales tax revenue, a major source of revenue. The answer was that no help was coming and blaming those asking for help. The city sent the message that losing out on sales tax revenue because people stopped patronizing local businesses and restaurants is acceptable. This is not supporting economic development. Telling people you do not care about them says “Go away and spend your money somewhere else!” We need to say “Welcome to our city. We hope you make a lot of money for us!” Disdain turns people, businesses and money away. We don’t want that to happen anymore. How does the new city manager fit into the economic development narrative? Part of the pitch for the search for a new city manager was bringing in someone with economic development experience. • What economic development has taken place in Villa Park, Stanton, La Habra Heights and Laguna Hills (cities he previously managed) that are economic game changers for the respective cities? • How much of this economic development work was done after the end of redevelopment and after COVID? • What role did our new city manager play in the economic development of those cities? • What is expected of the new city manager with respect to economic development? Our city deserves that council focus on economic development, including supporting areas with decreased sales tax revenue. Reggie Mundekis Orange Orange limits sale of NOS By Carrie Graham Following suit with the county Board of Supervisors, the City of Orange has adopted an ordinance substantially limiting the sale of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, whippets or NOS, is a colorless, non-flammable gas widely used by healthcare professionals for medical and dental anesthesia. It takes effect rapidly and dissipates from the human body, making it a primary choice for effective pain relief and minor medical procedures. When administered under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider, nitrous oxide is considered safe and effective. Beyond medical applications, nitrous oxide has various industrial and commercial uses. It can be utilized to enhance engine performance in the automotive industry, as seen in popular movies like “The Fast and the Furious,” and serve as a food preservative or propellant for dispensing and preserving whipped cream and soda. But used as a recreational drug, it has been linked to nerve damage and psychosis, among other health issues. Another key concern is driver impairment. Recreational misuse of the gas in the City of Orange has been linked to multiple accidents over the past few years. One incident involved a 21-year-old driver crashing into an occupied residential apartment building. Another fatal accident saw a 42-year-old driver collide with a tree in Old Towne Orange’s Plaza Park. In a separate case, an 18-year-old driver found in possession of nitrous oxide was arrested after crashing into the historic fountain just months after its restoration from a previous accident. Additionally, another lost his life after crashing into an electrical pole. Most tragically, a fiery high-speed rollover crash claimed three lives, including the driver, and left four others hospitalized. Police discovered a nitrous oxide tank and balloons at the scene, suspecting driver impairment. Overall, the police have made over 120 arrests related to nitrous oxide since January of 2023. One of the primary concerns is its appeal to youth. Of the above incidents, only one driver was above the age of 22. The gas can currently be easily found for sale in a wide range of flavors, making it appealing to younger crowds. During the county meeting in February, Supervisor Katrina Foley, who requested the ban at the end of last year, said there’s a loophole in state law that allows smoke shops and liquor store employees to sell it, as long as they don’t ask the buyer if they plan on using it to get high. When passing the ban for unincorporated areas of the county, supervisors urged cities to take similar action within their own jurisdictions. Now, Orange regulations will prohibit the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide, with the exception of uses explicitly approved by state law, including food preservation, medical and dental applications pharmacies, and vehicle supply stores licensed by the state to sell it. Those who violate the ordinance can face fines that escalate daily or even jail time. From a converted Buick to state-of-the-art fire engines: the history of Tustin’s Fire Department By Guy Ball Some of Tustin’s first firefighting equipment consisted of a twowheel horse cart pulled by volunteers to a fire hydrant. That was back before 1924, when Sam Tustin, the son of the city’s founder, donated his 1912 Buick touring car to the city to be converted to a real firetruck. How did Tustin’s early volunteer firefighting force develop from a converted Buick firetruck to a full-time department that eventually became part of the Orange County Fire Authority? OCFA Fire Battalion Chief Marc Hawkins (retired) and Tustin City Fireman Mike Fertig (retired) will share the history of the department, from when it was part of the California Division of Forestry to its growth into a volunteer fire department, to the Tustin City Fire Department, and now to the OCFA. This Night at the Museum meeting will be held on Friday, Aug. 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tustin Area Museum, 345 El Camino Real in downtown Tustin. Tickets are $20 per person, $15 each for members. Due to the limited seating area, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. For tickets or more information visit TustinHistory.com or call the museum, (714) 731-5701. The Orange Elks supported the Orange High School girls basketball team with a donation of $1,475 for equipment and uniforms. The student-athletes will volunteer at the lodge's Reading Promise program in October. Orange Elks provide funds for OHS girls basketball Girl Scouts seek donations for hygiene kits The Orange Elks Girl Scout Troop #1475 is collecting personal hygiene items to make into kits for the Orange County United Way. The completed kits will be passed along to an emergency shelter, and mental health and veterans agencies. Each one-gallon bag will include a comb, dental floss, deodorant, hand sanitizer, lotion, nail clippers, razor and shaving cream, shampoo, soap, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, Vaseline and a card of encouragement. Donations are being collected in the Elks lobby, 211 E. Chapman Ave., or view the Amazon wish list at ocuw.to/hygiene. Tustin's first motorized fire truck was converted from a 1912 Buick.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy