NEWS INSIDE A Monthly Community Newspaper OCTOBER 2025 Letters Page 4-5 Canyon Beat Page 6 Service Directory Pages 11-13 Professional Directory Page 13 Community Sports Pages 14-15 The Best News In Town Since 1969 FOLLOW US at Foothills Sentry DIFFERENT STROKES Narrow Orange Council majority says federal policy is beyond its local purview, but state politics warrant action and attention. See Orange, page 2 PLAY BALL! Community Sports returns with coverage of high school football, water polo and volleyball. See pages 14 and 15 FREEZE ON FEES An expected increase in Villa Park water rates has been delayed until next year. See Serrano, Page 2 FIELDS OF GREENS Farmers Market raises funds to buy locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables for struggling families. See Orange, page 3 THE STREET WHERE THEY LIVE Neighbors are fed up with unruly Chapman students who turn quiet streets into party zones. See Guest Commentary, page 4 See "Review" continued on page 6 See "Rentals" continued on page 3 The Orange Elks held a ceremony, Sept. 11, to remember those who lost their lives on that day 24 years ago. The event was held in front of Orange City Hall. The theme was “Promise We Will Never Forget,” to serve as a reminder for young people born after the horrific attack. See photos, page 11 Orange Design Review Committee will likely see its scope reduced By Tina Richards A proposed ordinance that would limit the scope of the Orange Design Review Committee (DRC) was recommended for City Council approval by the Planning Commission, Sept. 15. The commission’s recommendation was expected, as members of the City Council directed that the ordinance be drafted. The Council’s, and thus the Planning Commission’s, rationale was that the DRC review of building projects is inconvenient for developers and unnecessarily slows the approval process to the detriment of those wanting to “do business” in Orange. Eliminating DRC review will streamline the process. Historic preservation protected The DRC would, however, continue to review development, demolition or remodels of properties in the city’s historic district, those on the historic inventory and anything over 50 years old. Projects not falling within those categories would be reviewed administratively by staff. Major projects will still go to the Planning Commission. “The only thing that changes,” Community Development Director Russ Bunim told the commission, “is whether staff reviews a project or it goes to the DRC. Staff already does this for remodels or façade changes. Those are not subject to DRC review.” The DRC has been under fire before. Planning Commissioner Dave Vasquez noted that they had recommended approval for a similar proposal in 2020, but nothing happened. Then, as now, the DRC was perceived as a roadblock, with little data to support that assumption. Responding to questions from commissioners, Bunim could not quantify how much time would be saved without DRC review, how many projects would benefit, or if the streamlining would attract development. “It’s difficult to say how much more development we’d get without the DRC,” he said. Not a loose cannon The Design Review Committee was established to ensure proposed projects meet city standards and requirements pertaining to historic preservation, mass, landscaping, color palette, building material, aesthetics and compatibility with their surroundings. The committee consists of architects, landscape designers and land-use professionals. Planning Commissioner Tim McCormack served on the DRC for 16 years. He confirmed that the committee bases its review on city council-approved guidelines, ordinances and planning areas. “Most projects did not require a second review,” he advised. “They were good designs. But we’ve seen a decline in the quality of drawings. You see the same mistakes made. The DRC has made a lot of projects better. Instead of fast food, we end up with a finely cooked meal.” “Fast” may be the operative word in the city’s desire to limit the DRC’s scope. It’s the pace of the process that has alarmed the Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA), the Orange Legacy Alliance (OLA) and unaligned constituents citywide. Cut to the chase Last year, the city entered into an agreement with OTPA and OLA to work with staff on a historic preservation ordinance, redefine the DRC as a preservation committee, and survey and inventory historic properties throughout Orange. A draft ordinance to that end has been stalled since May. The council, reacting to a financial analysis that predicted city bankruptcy, acted quickly to work around the agreement. The council asked for the ordinance Aug. 12. Just one month later, it came to the Planning Commission. But, the historic property inventory that staff will rely on for project referral to the DRC is out of date and there are Orange Mayor Dan Slater (left) hosted a booth at the Orange International Street Fair so he could meet with and talk to constituents. Carolyn and Jerry Pierce were among his many visitors. See photos, page 7 Sports field rentals top the list of unpopular fee increases in Orange By Tina Richards The City of Orange is considering raising fees for services, the first increase since 2015, to help reduce its budget deficit. A study conducted by Matrix Consulting Group determined that the city is under-recovering its costs by $2.9 million. Of the some 700 fees levied for services, ranging from building inspections to chimney repair to photocopies, the one that garnered the most public pushback was the hourly cost to rent sports fields. The city currently charges $2 an hour to approved youth organizations for unlighted sports fields. An analysis conducted by Matrix determined that it costs the city $38 an hour to administer and maintain the fields. The recommended increase was to $19 per hour. The Sept. 9 council meeting was slated to feature a discussion of the various proposed fee increases and the city’s under-recovery rate. No decisions were to be made. The meeting, however, attracted a bevy of coaches, volunteers and parents from South Sunrise Little League and Olive Pony League who implored the council to keep field rental fees affordable. The volume of public comments and the council’s concerns about what was being said, focused that night's conversation on youth sports field fees and little else. Level playing field Speakers noted that many players’ families can not afford a substantial fee increase and those young athletes would be forced to drop out. Others noted that parent volunteers maintain the fields, thus “putting money back into them.” Nearly all of the two dozen speakers stressed the value of youth sports in terms of building character, teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence. South Sunrise and Olive Pony leadership expressed a desire to work with the city to find a “reasonable” fee compromise. Council members concurred with the sentiments expressed by the public. John Gyllenhammer stressed that youth sports is an investment, and that investing in youth is exactly what organizations should be doing. The city should also be investing in youth, he said, and suggested that the city continue to subsidize those activities. Arianna Barrios asked what percentage of the recovery loss
Foothills Sentry Page 2 OCTOBER 2025 BRUNCH | LUNCH | DINNER | SPECIAL EVENTS Sit Down & Sip Up. It’s... HAPPY HOUR MONDAY FRIDAY FROM 3PM 6PM OpenTable Diner’s Choice 2025 Winner Best Ambiance, Best Steak 6410 EAST CHAPMAN AVE. | 714.997.2910 THEORANGEHILLRESTAURANT.COM ORANGEHILLRESTAURANT ORANGEHILLEATS Serrano Water announces no rate increases for FY 2025/26 During a public workshop, May 8, the Serrano Water District (SWD) Board of Directors discussed the strategic transition involving Irvine Lake and the transferred responsibilities to the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) that occurred in midJanuary of 2025. The move, characterized as mutually beneficial, allowed SWD to exchange a long-term liability for more reliable and sustainable water supply sources for its customers. As part of the agreement, SWD received an infusion of over $3 million into its reserves. The financial boost, combined with relief from the major capital demands associated with the Irvine Lake and the Howiler Treatment project, enabled the board to delay a previously scheduled water rate increase set for July 2025. Priorities shift This afforded a focus on studying alternative rate structures and prioritizing critical capital improvement projects. Among those projects are drilling a new well to replace one over 90 years old, reconstructing the Smith Reservoir at Sycamore and Taft Streets, upgrading, and adding backup generators, and replacing other aging infrastructure throughout the service area. In a follow-up workshop held Aug. 18, the board convened for the second phase of its rate study discussions. After a review of various rate types, the board concluded that the existing uniform rate structure remains the most equitable and practical for SWD customers. Serrano Water District will now proceed with a comprehensive cost-of-service analysis and additional technical studies. These findings will inform the board's final decision regarding a potential rate adjustment scheduled for July 1, 2026, which will include a Workshop/Public Hearing in the April/May 2026 timeframe. California water agencies typically charge customers based on two components: a fixed charge based on meter size; and volumetric rates per unit (one hundred cubic feet or HCF) of metered water use. SWD currently utilizes a fixed charge based on meters size and a uniform volumetric rate of $5.58 per HCF per month. SWD is in the final year of its current 5-year rate plan, and will vote to authorize that a new rate study be completed before the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year. Orange Council OKs state ballot resolution despite pushback from residents By Carrie Graham In spite of unanimous opposition from over a dozen community members who attended the Sept. 9 Orange City Council meeting, council members narrowly approved a resolution denouncing the state’s plan to redraw congressional districts for the 2026 midterm elections, known as Proposition 50. The proposition will be the only item on a Nov. 4 special election for Californians. It was proposed earlier this year in response to what many are calling "blatant gerrymandering" in Texas designed to alter the outcome of the next congressional election. Several other states, including Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nebraska and South Carolina, may follow Texas’ lead to ensure the country’s ruling party remains in power. In 2008, California passed the Voters First Act, which established a commission of citizens to draw district lines that were fair and promoted competition among elected office hopefuls based on the most recent census data. It created a committee of five members from each of the two largest registered parties, plus four additional members not affiliated. Since then, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has become the nationwide gold standard for more equitable districting. Party politics on the dais The resolution, brought before the council by member Denis Bilodeau, asked that the city denounce the proposition because it would mean overruling the maps drawn by the commission in 2021. In addition to what he felt was an overstep of the state legislature, Bilodeau also cited the $200 million taxpayer price tag the special election will carry. However, the resolution received resounding scorn from a wide range of community members. A number of public commenters, as well as council members Arianna Barrios and Ana Gutierrez, had not forgotten the council’s July decision to table a resolution that requested federal immigration officials to wear identification and unmask, on the grounds that the council’s duty is to city-specific issues only. “Council members said, 'It's a federal matter. We have no authority.’ You rejected a concept that the city council's role can be advocacy. Therefore, it's misleading and frankly inappropriate for any member of the city council to speak against Proposition 50, which is a state election issue and not something you can decide just because you want to,” said one resident who identified himself only as Alexis. Councilmember Gutierrez, who proposed the tabled July proposal, felt particularly slighted by Bilodeau’s resolution. Double standard “I find it very disingenuous that you would bring this forward,” she said. “I actually find it an insult to me, personally, and to a lot of us Latinos here in Orange, the 41% of us for whom you were silent and willing to table the topic when I spoke to you about what is happening on our streets, the safety in our streets. "This resolution that you’re bringing has nothing to do with the safety of our residents here in Orange. How is it going to better our community?” In addition to issues with the perceived hypocrisy of the situation, other residents believed the council was overstepping its jurisdiction. “It is stated by the California Fair Political Practices Commission that the fundamental precept of this nation's democratic electoral process is that the government may not take sides in election context or bestow an unfair advantage on one of several competing factions,” said resident Devereau “Dev” Sellin. “But that is exactly what the city’s proposed resolution intends to do -- use the influence of the city council to influence the outcome of Proposition 50.” Other members of the public cited inaccuracies in Bilodeau’s resolution as well. Most glaringly absent from the proposal’s language is any acknowledgement of the fact that Proposition 50 is explicitly temporary, authorized only for 2026 through 2030. Learn more at eocwd.com City takes a stand In addition to the citizen’s commission resuming map authority, the proposition also calls on the federal legislature, in 2031, to pass laws making voting commissions, like the one in California, the law of the land going forward to ensure fairer election practices nationwide. Ultimately, the resolution passed 4-3, with Bilodeau, as well as members Kathy Tavoularis, John Gyllenhammer and Jon Dumitru voting in favor. A substitution motion to table the resolution was shot down after receiving support only from members Gutierrez and Barrios. Mayor Slater voted against both the resolution and the motion to table it, reiterating that it was not the city’s place to have an opinion. “Any council member is welcome to put anything on the agenda they wish, and we can have open debate and discussion. That's what we're here for. But again, I will not be supporting this because I think that we have enough to deal with at this city level,” he advised. Viet Nam memorial gets local attention The Orange Elks made a $1,475 donation to the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial, located in Washington, D.C., in honor of veterans. The three-quarter scale replica of the memorial, "The Wall That Heals,” is coming to Orange, Oct. 2-5. The exhibit will be displayed in Grijalva Park and will be open to visitors 24 hours a day. This is the wall's only Southern California appearance and is expected to attract visitors from throughout the region.
Page 3 Foothills Sentry OCTOBER 2025 "Rentals" conti nu ed f rom page 1 Register to Attend or Host a Trunk: https://bit.ly/SCCTrunkorTreat2025 5:30 – 8:30 PM Santiago Canyon College 8045 E. Chapman Ave., Orange FREE ADMISSION Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com Happy Halloween Orange! dan@DanSlater.com 714-744-2219 1537 E. Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 92866 DAN SLATER was from sports fields and was told $200,000. She noted that there must be different schemes the city could use to balance fees with actual costs, for example step-up fees based on a team’s level of low-income players. “I don’t want to exclude kids in need,” she said. “There are other fees to consider. Building fees are a big chunk of money.” More than one way Reporting that Chapman University recently received a $100 million grant from the state, she was curious about the amount Orange was charging Chapman for field rental. Rates vary between lighted and unlighted fields, Orange residents or businesses and non-residents or businesses. Chapman has two contracts with the city for field rentals which were negotiated separately and expire in 2029. Seemingly confident that fee increases could be more equitable, Barrios asked staff to “come back with ideas.” Ana Gutierrez pointed out that in addition to sports fields, many other “community benefit” fees -- library cards, swimming lessons -- were being raised. “These community services relate to quality of life and life skills for residents,” she noted, while recommending a separate council study session, with public participation, to focus on those fees. “Let’s not try to do this on the dais,” she said. “It’s a lot to look at.” Points to ponder “There is a budget issue in the city,” Jon Dumitru reminded the audience. “That’s why this is coming up. There are no sacred cows.” But, he agreed, he would prefer a stepped-up approach to any increases. He also expressed frustration with the number of fees to consider and the lack of an advance briefing on the topic for council members. “I saw this list the same time you did,” he said to the audience, adding that he would like to have a better understanding of the methodology used to determine what those increases should be. “I had sticker shock when I saw the swimming program,” he said. Denis Bilodeau agreed that fees should be phased in, with COLA (cost of living adjustment) included so the city would not have to repeat this exercise in 10 years. He also advocated subsidizing Little League with a 50% cost recovery as the goal. Mayor Dan Slater directed staff to meet with the Little League and Pony team leaders to determine what is palatable. He agreed that a separate study session for community benefit fees is warranted; City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand agreed to set that up as soon as possible. Orange Home Grown raises $8,000 at "Market for the People" Orange Home Grown hosted "Market for the People: Buy-Out to Nourish Our Community," a one-day farmers market event held to support local families. During the special event, 100% of proceeds from vendor stall fees were directed to the El Modena Family Resource Center, not as a monetary donation, but as fresh, nourishing food purchased directly from local farmers and vendors. Through the generosity of the community and participating vendors, the event raised $6,000, with an additional $2,000 donation from the Orange Rotary, totaling $8,000 in contributions to support families in need. “This event is all about standing together as a community,” said Megan Penn, executive director of Orange Home Grown. “Every dollar spent stayed within our community, supporting farmers and vendors while directly nourishing families in Orange. It’s a beautiful example of a circular community and shows what can happen when we work together.” During August and September, contributions were delivered in the form of farm boxes to the Resource Center. Each box was curated with fresh, seasonal produce and staples, including cantaloupes, watermelons, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, stone fruits and eggs. Local farms and food artisans, including Gaytan Family Farms, Black Sheep Farms, Sunny Cal Farms, Harris Apiarie, Lucky Habanero, and the Orange Home Grown Education Farm, helped package and deliver the boxes. The El Modena Family Resource Center provides support services for families in the El Modena Orange community, including food and nutrition assistance, parenting support, youth programs, and access to community services. The Orange Home Grown K-9 retires from Orange PD Police canine officer Wyatt, a Slovakian-born German Shepherd, was celebrated by the Orange City Council, marking his retirement from the department after 7.5 years of service. Wyatt and his handler Officer Michael Osborn were issued a proclamation, Aug. 26, recognizing the canine’s achievements as a multi-purpose dog trained for patrol, tracking and narcotics detection. He assisted in more than 500 deployments, apprehending criminals, sniffing out narcotics and helping recover over $3 million in cash. He also served as a community liaison officer, participating in some 300 public demonstrations, along with Osborn, for civic organizations. Wyatt will spend his retirement with Osborn and his family. O cer Michael Osborn and Wyatt Megan Penn, le , executive director of Orange Home Grown and Heidi Gaytan from Gaytan Family Farms unload boxes of fresh food. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping people reconnect to a healthy and sustainable food system. The branches of the nonprofit engage residents of all ages, ethnicities and income levels in creative environments and programs. These programs foster education, awareness and action around farming, food and health while celebrating the positive agricultural attributes of the City of Orange and surrounding cities. Wyatt readies for action.
Foothills Sentry Page 4 OCTOBER 2025 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 Circulation … 39,000 Published on the last Tuesday of each month and distributed to residences, businesses, libraries and civic centers. Printing by Advantage, Inc. 714-532-4406 foothillssentry.com 1107 E. Chapman Ave., #207 Orange, CA 92866 ©Foothills Sentry 2025 Publisher/Editor Anita Bennyhoff 1969-2013 Editor Tina Richards editor@foothillssentry.com Sports Editor Cliff Robbins sportseditor@att.net Graphic Designer Jef Maddock graphics@foothillssentry.com Advertising Sales Andie Mills advertising@foothillssentry.com 714-926-9299 Office Manager officemanager@foothillssentry.com Guest Commentary Chapman University must be held accountable for student behavior By Jonathan Zimmerman As Chapman University begins another academic year in the City of Orange, its enrollment has grown to nearly 10,000 students — well above the city’s agreed-upon cap of 8,700. This unchecked growth has had a significant and negative impact on our neighborhoods. Investors are buying many homes and cramming five or more students into single-family residences, transforming once-quiet streets into party zones and overflow parking lots. The charm, beauty and livability of Orange are being eroded. Currently, the Orange Police Department bears the burden of addressing student behavior in our neighborhoods. Yet enforcement tools are limited. For example, under the city’s current ordinance, police may only issue a citation for a party disturbance after 10 p.m. This leaves daytime parties unaddressed, and even after 10 p.m., police are often unavailable due to higher-priority calls. Without a citation, the University’s Dean of Students has no grounds for discipline. The result is that many disruptive and disrespectful behaviors — noise, litter, vandalism, public urination and parking violations — go unchecked. This creates a serious budgetary problem. Calls related to student behavior consume valuable city resources that should not be subsidized by taxpayers. Other cities with large universities — including San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), Davis (UC Davis), and San Diego (SDSU) — have already acted by adopting “nuisance party ordinances,” requiring universities to pay into city service funds, regulating high-occupancy rentals as businesses, and establishing official Greek housing to better manage student behavior. Orange can and should follow suit. Neighbors urge the City of Orange to take the following steps: 1. Hold Chapman accountable for enforcing its own Code of Conduct. Chapman’s Code prohibits disturbances, public nuisances and trespassing. Yet these violations occur regularly in our neighborhoods with little consequence. The city should require Chapman to strengthen and enforce penalties for students who repeatedly disrupt the community. 2. Require Chapman University to directly fund city services impacted by student behavior — including police, code enforcement and sanitation. A “university impact fee” or “luxury tax” would recognize that Chapman benefits enormously from being located in Orange but has not adequately shouldered the costs its presence creates. 3. Enforce the enrollment cap that Chapman agreed to, ensuring the university does not continue to grow beyond the city’s capacity to manage it. 4. Designate official Greek housing. Many universities require fraternities and sororities to live in designated housing, which helps concentrate and manage large gatherings instead of scattering them across neighborhoods. 5. Adopt stronger ordinances for parking and large-capacity rentals. Homes functioning as “mini-dorms” should be regulated as businesses, licensed, inspected and taxed appropriately. Cities like Berkeley and San Diego already use this model to protect neighborhood character. It is time for Chapman University to act as a true partner to the community. The university’s academic and civic mission must extend beyond its campus boundaries to include accountability for how its students affect the larger community. Student conduct enforcement should not fall primarily on neighbors or overstretched city resources. With new leadership in the city and the university, we hope there will be a renewed commitment to solutions — enforcement of enrollment limits, financial responsibility for city services, stronger ordinances, and real accountability for student behavior through the Code of Conduct. We want Chapman students to succeed, and we want a positive “Town and Gown” relationship. But this requires the university to take responsibility for its impact on Orange. Jonathan Zimmerman is a 38year resident of the City of Orange. Just passing through Dear Editor: I am writing to voice my concerns about the Chapman students living in my neighborhood. There are many homes that investors have turned into five bedrooms, and rented them to students. Many of these homes have been renovated and remodeled to accommodate the students without obtaining permits. How is this fair? Most often, each rental house adds five cars for the residents and even more for their visitors. The neighborhood is loud and transient. There are many speeders, drivers disobeying stop signs, and parking to block fire hydrants and sidewalks. There is disregard for parking facing the right way, parking on curves, and parking too close to the intersections. Do the college students not know about the city trash service? Often the trash bins sit out all the time, and they place boxes, furniture, household items, and extra trash bags on the curb. Whatever they no longer want gets put out on the curb. There have been so many times that students disturb the peace. They are loud late at night walking or coming home or having backyard get-togethers. What can be done about the increasing number of boarding houses, the increasing enrollment, and the increasing use of our safety services. This drain on city resources, especially with Orange's deficits, needs to be taken care of. Maybe each student should pay a fee to the city to offset the services they all rely on and benefit from. The students need to be educated about neighborhood, driving, and parking etiquette. Maybe this would cut down on the parties, loud behavior, and parking issues. Or, maybe boarding house enforcement, fines, fees and tickets for rule breakers is the way to go. Maybe, investor's student housing should be classified as the businesses they are and taxed and licensed accordingly. Laurie Phillips Orange Dear Editor: I live on E. Fairhaven Ave. in Orange. About three years ago, my neighbor sold his house, and a fraternity moved in. Due to the design of the house, it was seemingly destined to be repurposed as a multi-unit housing facility. As I’m sure you’ve heard, investors are buying up homes and renovating them to squeeze in as many students as possible. This trend is deeply concerning. One of the core issues is that absentee owners are effectively running a business, yet they’re not dealing with the collateral damage caused by the student parties. They should be required to obtain a business license. Licensing would give the city the authority to impose significant fines on these operators — something the current, inadequate penalties fail to do. A recent party became so unruly that trash was strewn everywhere, one of my trees was damaged, and police were needed to break it up. Another major concern is the lack of accountability — the city, the university, and homeowners all seem to point fingers at one another, rather than take meaningful action. I appreciate your efforts to bring attention to this issue and hope you will continue to report on it. Public awareness is sorely needed. This will be a long process. Robert Paul Orange Dear Editor: I would like to bring to your attention some recent disturbing activities in our city. Our formerly quiet family neighborhood is under assault from several business ventures that are allowed to operate in residential neighborhoods. The newest business venture, the Friendly Recovery Center, will house 6-8 men (on a rotating basis) in a mental health recovery home. The Friendly Recovery Center provides treatment for a range of conditions, including substance abuse, anger management, psychosis, PTSD and trauma, borderline and narcissistic personality disorders, self-harm, and emotional disturbances. Nearby, the L'Arche Wavecrest Home for the mentally disabled is located only 150 feet from the Friendly Recovery House. Also, less than 250 feet away are two Chapman University student boarding houses. We have eight children living nearby who may be negatively impacted by the residents of these group homes. I have respectfully asked our city government to consider quickly enacting ordinances that prohibit these group homes from operating so close together in one area and allow buffer zones between them and a nearby elementary school. Similar ordinances have been recently enacted in Fountain Valley (April 2025), Irvine (June 2025), Mission Viejo (March 2025), Santa Ana (April 2025), and the County of Orange (2020). We believe immediate action is necessary to preserve our family neighborhood and keep it from becoming overrun by business ventures. Jim Shoffi t Orange Dear Editor: September has arrived and with it, the return of Chapman students to our neighborhoods, with the very loud afternoon and latenight parties. It is also the one-year anniversary of an incident involving a male Chapman student. What did he do? He did something that other students have done and many residents of Orange have witnessed in front yards, through the years. That is, he urinated in public. He leaned out the window where he lives, where he was visible to anyone walking on the sidewalk, driving on the street or sitting at a bedroom desk. He was visible because he leaned out the window of the two-story house and urinated in full view of the street and his neighbor in the house next door. Though the neighbor pounded her hand on the window and yelled “hey, hey you!” he did not stop. She called police and filed charges against the student for indecent exposure. The Dean of Students at Chapman University was notified, yet the student continued to live in the same house without consequences, nor did he apologize to the neighbor. The resulting weak statements, “we’ll look into this,” and no follow-up from Chapman University added to the disrespect and lack of decency. "Letters" continued on page 5
Page 5 Foothills Sentry OCTOBER 2025 Guest Commentaries This is only one of many problems that Chapman students bring to the neighborhoods where families live. Chapman University is bringing ruin to the city when it creates a housing problem. More housing away from our neighborhoods must be provided for students. Chapman seems uncaring when confronted with serious behavior problems. I.T. Alvarez Orange Alarmed response Dear Editor: I am so disappointed in our current leadership. They are doing their best to dismantle our Constitution, the sacred document that formed the foundation for the greatest nation the world has ever seen, and pushing it aside to satisfy their lust for power. The oligarchs win and the people suffer. The Republican Party will use every possible lever at its disposal, with little respect for the law, to gerrymander red states, and the people of California are to do nothing about it? Turnabout is fair play. That is why I am supporting Proposition 50. I don’t like it, but dislike what the Republican Party is doing even more. This is about our survival as a democracy and a nation of laws. Craig Attanasio Orange State proposition has lasting impacts on our community By Ronna Sarvas Weltman When I think of all the reasons it is crucial to vote YES on Proposition 50, California’s response to Republican gerrymandering, my first thoughts turn to our own community. I am heartsick when I think of how many people lose their healthcare in the next few years. I read about the cuts in scientific research and I wonder how many people – including children – will succumb to cancer who would otherwise be celebrating remission. I wonder how many diseases that we no longer worry about, such as measles and polio, will start affecting our kids. Recently I was reading in the "Foothills Sentry" about local high school students excelling in science. I read it with enthusiasm, happy for their accomplishments, imagining their parents’ pride. Then, suddenly, I had a sinking feeling. Those kids will not have the same opportunity to work on cutting-edge science in college like my son did at UC Irvine. The funding for their future education has been snatched away. I walk in Peters Canyon and wonder how we can protect it and our neighborhoods from increasing drought and high temperatures when the administration and the Republican Congress pretend that climate change is a hoax. Now I have another thing to worry about. Looking at my mail, I keep reading misleading information from the "No on 50" crowd. Friends are asking me why the League of Women Voters is opposing the proposition, which offers temporary redistricting to California voters. They don’t oppose it. And the people who are sending out those mailers know it. Same with a mailers’ inclusion of an early quote on redistricting from California Common Cause, intended to imply that it opposes Proposition 50. Although Common Cause has long been a supporter of independent redistricting, it now acknowledges that “a blanket condemnation [of Proposition 50] in this moment would amount to a call for unilateral political disarmament in the face of authoritarian efforts to undermine fair representation and peoplepowered democracy.” That’s what none of the antiProposition 50 mailers will tell you. When the President demanded Republican states gerrymander their elections to maintain his power, the legislatures in Texas, and now Missouri, and maybe others to come, followed his directions. Californians will get a chance to neutralize this power grab by voting YES on Proposition 50. Proposition 50 is a temporary measure, in effect only until the next census, and abides by the Voting Rights Act to let the people decide. The majority party leaders know they can’t win with fair elections, so they are putting their thumbs on the scale. The states that have done it have not brought it to the people – they decided “in house” knowing that letting their citizens vote on it would be dicey. In California, the people get to decide by voting in November. Without Proposition 50 passing, the cowardly congressional majority that agrees to everything Trump wants, even while they know it goes against the interests of their constituents, will remain in place. Without Proposition 50 passing, it will be virtually impossible to protect: • Safety net programs -- Medicare, Social Security, SNAP, and Medicaid • The air we breathe, the water we drink and our public lands • Public education and higher education • Public health (think vaccines) and access to healthcare • Immigrants and people of color • Due process and the rule of law • Ourselves from our military being used against us • Our economic well-being from the bigots and oligarchs currently in charge. By voting YES on Proposition 50, we can look forward to our voices being heard in Congress. We can achieve: • Taking back the rights we've lost, or keeping ones we're at risk of losing • Passing common-sense gun reform • Investing in our people, schools and infrastructure • Reducing the price of groceries and goods • Supporting families and workers • Protecting the environment for future generations • Using taxpayer money for the people, not the billionaires. Ballots will be mailed out on Oct. 4 for the Nov. 4 special election. Your ballot may be smaller than you are used to since we're voting on only one item. Keep an eye out for it. Even though the ballot will be small, the consequences will be huge. That’s why I’m voting YES on Proposition 50. Ronna Sarvas Weltman is a community volunteer who lives in North Tustin. Proposition 50 is California’s line in the sand By Rebecca Gomez There’s a reason why our community’s educators and child advocates are voting YES on Proposition 50, the temporary redistricting plan to counter unethical gerrymandering. As a former city council member and trustee for the Orange County Board of Education, I understood my role to serve the community and to make life better for my constituents, not to make their life more challenging. While on the Board of Education, the county received a grant to assist special education students. The grant was intended to use art to improve their ability to communicate and learn. When I asked one student about his art, he responded hesitantly, but then began to share a picture of his family. The instructors were amazed that he shared because he rarely spoke. The ability to use art enhanced his communication and academic performance. I later heard from the teachers that this student’s guardian was grateful for this program because it also improved his behavior and communication at home. This is one of many success stories. Today, California’s ability to protect our children and families stands at a crossroads. Proposition 50 is California’s line in the sand. While states like Texas and Florida have pushed aggressive policies that defund public education, censor curriculum, and target vulnerable students, YES on 50 ensures California doesn’t follow that path. It’s a proactive defense that redraws congressional districts to reflect our values and elect leaders who will fight for inclusive, well-funded schools. It is not an exaggeration that the survival of public education in Orange County hinges on the passage of this proposition. Right now, we are looking at the federal government trying to withhold over $800 million from California education programs. It is trying to cancel $3.5 million from special education and teacher training. Short-sighted federal policies are resulting in teachers being intimidated and restricted from delivering approved curricula. These policies are intentionally weakening our neighborhood schools while subsidizing private and forprofit charter schools, some of which offer an unsafe, unproven, censored educational environment that fails to meet the learning needs of all students. At the college level, classes are being curtailed or outright cancelled. Students are seeing their graduate and professional school offers rescinded. Their job offers are being terminated. Research funding has been decimated, which impacts future innovation. These conditions are devastating blows to our best and brightest. Destroying our schools is not the only threat our children face if this proposition does not pass. Federal rules to withdraw school vaccine mandates, like they are doing in Texas, will increase child mortality in Orange County. Removing Medicaid from families means children will have less or no access to health care. The curtailment and outright cancellation of childhood cancer studies will have an obviously gruesome impact on survival rates. Local hospitals and clinics rely on Medicaid funding, and its removal means many would have to shut their doors — to all of us. Removing SNAP food benefits to low-income families means children will come to school hungry. And that is IF they come to school. Federal immigration policy has a severe impact on our children’s mental health. Children are afraid to go to school, worried that they might come home to an empty house, with no way to find out where their parents have been sent. Parents are keeping their children home from school because they fear their children being snatched by ICE. When children are hungry or feel unsafe, they cannot learn. Saying YES on 50 is saying no to this cruelty. Our community has proven time and again that we believe in diversity, access, and opportunity for all students. We don’t want to be forced into a national mold shaped by extremist agendas. Each state is unique. That’s one of the beautiful things about the United States. We should not be forced away from the table. YES on 50 protects our ability to chart our own course—one that uplifts students, supports teachers, and reflects the progressive spirit that defines our state. Rebecca Gomez is a former OC Board of Education trustee and Tustin City Councilwoman. She is currently a board member of the Tustin Community Foundation, President of the American Association of University Women TustinSanta-Ana-Orange and Director of the AAUW-Ca. Community Services front counter moved Front counter services for the City of Orange have moved to the Sports Center at Grijalva Park, effective Sept. 29. The new location will offer consistent hours, Monday through every other Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and evening and weekend service during sports center programs. Park and facility permits are available online via CivicRec, (cityoforange.org, parks and facilities). Users must create an account on that site first. Counter service is now provided at 368 N. Prospect Street, Building B. "Letters" continued from page 4
Foothills Sentry Page 6 OCTOBER 2025 "Review" continued from page 1 no procedures in place to identify historic properties. A letter written by a law firm on behalf of OTPA notes that “the proposed ordinance would conflict with General Plan goals, policies and implementation measures adopted to ensure historic preservation, protection and enhancement of scenic resources, and to reduce adverse impacts throughout the city." It further states that to comply with the General Plan, the city must revise portions of its zoning code before, or at the same time, it enacts an ordinance limiting discretionary project review in favor of administrative approval. Details deferred The ordinance may also bypass CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), which requires a determination whether a project would "conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation (including the general plan, specific plans, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect." While the city fully intends to protect historic properties, the ordinance eliminates DRC review of projects in the rest of Orange. The DRC has, until now, studied development plans for projects citywide. It has been credited with calling out a two-story housing development slated to be built on a site with a one-story restriction, correctly identifying floor plans for “apartments” as student dormitories and asking a developer to rethink a surrounding 12-foot block wall adjacent to a residential neighborhood. We jilt this city “This is personal to me,” resident Laurie Sandoval told the commission. “I’ve lived here for 30 years. I appreciate the DRC’s insights and good questions. The city needs the DRC. Shortcutting makes Orange a less desirable place to live. The city consists of more than Old Towne.” Laura Thomas asked why the majority of Orange won’t be given the same review and expertise as Old Towne. “What about neighborhood compatibility? Council’s goals to streamline the process may be driven by financial circumstances, but this is a fix that may have unforeseen consequences.” “The DRC should be for all of Orange,” McCormick advised. “It provides a benefit to a lot of people.” Commissioner Martinez admitted that he “feels bad” that the DRC is being portrayed as bad guys, and that the committee “has been very helpful.” The planning commission voted 5-1 to recommend approval of the ordinance. McCormick dissented. The city council is slated to hear it Oct. 28. Stay alert! The past is never dead... The Sept. 2 Inter-Canyon League (ICL) meeting featured a short film screening introduced by History Committee member Scott Breeden. The group recently discovered a single reel of a Super-8 movie (with sound) documenting the 1975 Silverado Country Fair. Committee Chair Melody McWilliams digitized the movie, formerly stored at the old Silverado Library. In-person and online meeting attendees enjoyed watching the first 10 minutes of the 39-minute film, narrated by Bob Myers, Silverado resident Judy Myers's late husband. Judy reports that after 50 years she’d forgotten about the film, and that both she and Bob appear in it, along with several former and longtime current canyon residents. As introduced by Breeden, “The 1975 fair was held at the Community Center just like today, but the Center was a bit different. No Hunt Building, of course, and there was a barn-like structure approximately where the gazebo is now, plus remnants of the 1930s-era school surrounding the main building.” Scott notes, “The film captures a parade down Silverado Canyon to the Center, led by two patrol cars, a high school marching band and color guard, a flotilla of old cars from the Orange County Model T Club, local fire trucks, Forest Service trucks, Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, horses, bikes and ‘Dolly Dingbat’ (Ann Gould in costume). Longtime Silverado businessman and school booster Tommy Beaulieu was Grand Marshal. And, of course, there was a mock gunfight, reportedly staged by Knott's Berry Farm actors.” Other highlights include Hawaiian dancers, baton twirlers, musicians, food and pottery vendors, the Grandmothers Club, a karate demonstration, a kids’ pieeating contest and 50-cent hot dogs. Fifty years later, ICL plans to screen the entire film several times at the Christmas Boutique during this year's fair. Fridge-a-dare Rich Pfeiffer offered helpful, if painfully acquired, insight and advice. Make it easy on firefighters and emergency services providers who might make an unscheduled visit to your canyon home. Photocopy personal, medical and emergency contact information and magnet it to your fridge. That’s where Station 14 and 16 volunteers and sheriffs look. Sure, it’s on your cell phone (congratulations on today’s steps, which ironically led to your fall) but that’s password-protected. Helpfully, your refrigerator door is not. In the zone Mary Schreiber of Fire Safe Council reminded all to sign up for AlertOC, the county's notification system. Register online for emergency messages sent to your home, cell or business phone. And email. And since we now officially live in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) — lucky us! — we’ll soon be responsible for complying with new, stricter (and lifesaving) defensible space requirements. Since the legislature passed AB3074 in 2020 and SB504 last year, the state’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is directed to establish an ember-resistant defensible “zone” defined as “the first five feet around a structure, referred to as Zone 0.” It’s your house, basically. Zone 1 extends from Zone 0 to 30 feet around a structure and deck or to the property line if less than 30 feet. All to reduce wildfire risk by minimizing flammable materials and maintaining vegetation to slow fire spread. … It’s not even past. This year’s Oct. 11-12 fair highlights include live music from classic bluegrass banjo-picking to classic rock, and Cubensis, the popular Grateful Dead cover band. Featured local canyon artists with work for sale include Alice Phillips of Silverado Glass Studio showing her elegant fused glass and sterling silver jewelry, fine art photographer Vivi Wyngaarden, and multi-form natureinspired artist Julie Williams. Buy local. Kids and families will enjoy the Franklin Haynes Marionettes at noon on Sunday. Join the fivegallon bucket drum circle both days and contests, including best beard and, apparently timeless, pie-eating. SMRPD Parks and Rec Board President Ted Wright laments the continuing funding struggle after county support was permanently cut by a third. “Alas, no free ice cream at summer concerts,” says Wright. “We hope to fundraise for hams and turkeys for the Thanksgiving meal traditionally provided at the Silverado Community Center. But both parks and community centers are open, and we kept them open as cooling centers during recent heat waves.” I’m with the banned This year’s Banned Books Week (Oct. 5-11) theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” Sponsored by the American Library Association and celebrated by Library of the Canyons, you can read freely or join the book group on Wednesday, Oct. 1 discussing "The Lost Tomb" by Douglas Preston. (US) P.S. It’s costly to mail this local independent community newspaper. If you’re reading this in the canyons, it’s because volunteers dropped copies in Silverado and Modjeska, including at the Library of the Canyons, or delivered to your front porch. You’re welcome! A massive structure under construction for the last five years was not subject to DRC review. Neighbors say it is not compatible with the rest of the homes on the quiet street in East Orange. BSA Troop 538 to hold open house Boy Scout Troop 538 invites the community to an open house, Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church, at 7 p.m. Founded in 1975, Troop 538 is a scout-led troop which offers opportunities in leadership, community involvement, activities, adventurous outings (campouts, backpacking and hikes), and learning essential life-skills. The troop is open to boys ages 11 and up and/or as early as 5th grade. It meets Tuesday nights at the Presbyterian Church in Anaheim Hills. The open house will allow families to learn more about the spirit of scouting and Troop 538. The church is located at 190 S. Fairmont Blvd. RSVP or email questions to troop538ahills@ gmail.com. To learn more about the troop, visit tinyurl.com/ Troop538AnaheimHills. Salem's new preschool opens Salem Lutheran Church & School celebrated 60 years of ministry with a ribbon-cutting, Sept. 7, to unveil the grand opening of its brand-new preschool. Pictured here, left to right, Director of Safety & Facilities Julie Beckman, Ministry Leadership Council President Matt Noel, Preschool Director Stacey Davis, Business Manager Craig Olson, Principal Corissa Sheets, with Pastor Roger Frick looking on. Photos by Tony Richards
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