framework. is thefinalandleastrestrictivetierin Blueprint foraSaferEconomy. Yellow or “Minimal” Tier inCalifornia’s three measurementstoreachthe Yellow dropped to1.8,becomingthelastof Case Rateper100,000residents over 8,000per100,000residents. recorded inFullerton,acaserateofjust year ago,11,428 caseshavebeen the beginningofpandemicovera them inSkilledNursingFacilities.Since officially attributedtothevirus,94of own milestonewith302deathsnow or lowdoubledigitrange. 19 Dashboardsitearenowinthesingle reported dailyontheCounty’s COVID- dents deadfromCOVID-19.Deaths ly passedthemarkof5,000itsresi-

OR CURRENT RESIDENT On May12,OC’s Adjusted Daily Fullerton’s mortalityratereachedits In earlyMay, OrangeCountyofficial- Submissions: [email protected] • Vaccinations See COVID-19,Page2 COVID-19 Cases and PRESORTED in Decline

FULLERTON by MatthewLeslie BSERVER STANDARD U.S. O POSTAGE PAID PO BOX 7051 ADVERTISE IN THE OBSERVER PERMIT NO. 1577 FULLERTON CA 92834 714-525-6402 FULLERTON CA OR EMAIL

F [email protected] FULLERTON’S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS ullerton ments fromthe City’s Dropboxaccount. acted illegally inaccessingthedocu- retracting itsclaimthat the bloggers FFFF bloggersbutalso has theCity tial Citydocumentsinthe possession of May 12,requiresthereturn ofconfiden- ing heldontheafternoonof Wednesday, during aSpecialClosedSession meet- Fullerton CityCouncil(ina3-2vote) Curlee. The settlement,approvedbythe gers, JoshuaFerguson andDavid Future (FFFF)Blogandtwoofitsblog- against theFriendsforFullerton’s settlement offer initscivillawsuit detailed guidanceonhowcitiescanand the Treasury hasnotyetreleased signed thisyear. The USDepartmentof Rescue Plan Act, which PresidentBiden the nexttwoyearsfrom American nearly $35millioninfederalreliefover next fiscalyear, theCityissettoreceive deficit ofaround$2.4millionforthe held abudgetstudysessiononMay4. on June1.Inadvanceofthis,Council adopt thebudgetforfiscalyear2021/22 Fullerton CityCouncilissettoofficially reduction insalestaxrevenues, ities close,Citystaff laidoff, anda pandemic thatsawbusinessesandfacil- The cityofFullertonhasauthorizeda Though Fullertonisfacinganoverall As Fullertonslowlyemerges froma A City Council Votes toSettleLawsuit Against C MID Rally forVoting Rights: OUNCIL Friends for Fullerton’s Future Blog by MatthewLeslie P by JesseLa Tour ANDEMIC C ONSIDERS for arallyvotingrights.Seestoryonpage2. Call: (714)525-6402•DailyStoriesat: L OSSES A group ofresidents, electedofficials,and community groups gathered atCityHall N million. lion withatotalprojecteddeficitof$2.4 funds” proposedbudgetis$213.8mil- (for infrastructure).Fullerton’s total“all Fund andCapitalImprovement cial/dedicated fundssuchasthe Water of theGeneralFundaswellotherspe- how tobalanceit. asked forCounciltogivedirection the City’s projected budget andthen lyst, Steven Avalos, gaveanoverviewof Services, EllisChang,andbudgetana- Fullerton’s Director of Administrative next year’s budgetprojections. details havenotyetbeenfactoredinto cannot usethesefunds,sospecific errors byformeremployeesoftheCity with restricted access.However, dueto believed thefolderswere secure and to ashared fileaccount,becausethey CityofFullerton.com/outbox, ashortcut ers andfiles on Fullerton’s Future. David Curlee,andFriendsfor City filedagainstJoshuaFerguson, meeting, isasfollows: immediately followingtheMay12 agreement madeavailablebytheCity A statement,partofthefullsettlement

•Est.1978 EXT AND The City’s totalbudget iscomprised At theMay4studysession, Initially, Citystaffwere placingfold- “We havedismissedthelawsuit Y F See FFFF Blog,page 3

O See Budget,Page4 EAR EDERAL

• Y ’ S B EAR R UDGET 43#9•MID-MAY 2021 bserver ELIEF P HOTO , www.fullertonobserver.com

BY J ESSE myturn.ca.gov. Vaccine schedulingsiteat: resources. GototheCalifornia and inquirethroughallavailable othena.com/?lang=ko • othena.com/?lang=vi • Tiếng Việt- Vietnamese othena.com/?lang=es • Español-Spanish othena.com • English Or, forOthena,gotothesesites: Everyone isencouragedtoregister L Your Vaccine 한국어 -Korean A Sign upfor T OUR

Page 2 FULLERTON OBSERVER NEWS MID-MAY 2021

Cars rallied through Downtown Fullerton for voting rights on May 8.

Cars Rally for Voting Rights Photo from 2019 Memorial Day celebration in Fullerton. by Jesse La Tour racial justice—based on the key idea that the best way to defend democracy is Local residents, elected officials, and to strengthen democracy.” MEMORIAL DAY by Ed Paul community groups participated in a car President of League of Women Voters rally for voting rights in front of of North Orange County Pearl Mann Although there have been great strides interred at Loma Vista Memorial Park Fullerton City Hall on Saturday May 8. said that HR 1 and HR 4 will expand made in dealing with the Coronavirus, by placing a flag and cross/Star of David Speakers urged Congress to pass HR 1: voting rights, reduce the influence of regrettably, we will not be having our on their graves will continue on a very The For the People Act, and HR 4: The money in politics, and limit partisan ger- traditional Memorial Day ceremony in small scale. Prior to Memorial Day, and John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and rymandering. 2021. On behalf of the American practicing social distancing, we will spoke against recent bills passed in other Patricia Hanzo from the group Veterans Memorial Association and our place a flag, a cross, and a Star of David states that have restricted access to vot- Indivisible CA-39 pointed out that co-sponsors Loma Vista Memorial Park for each service branch—Army, Navy, ing. Representative Young Kim voted and the City of Fullerton, we regret the Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Alicia Rivera of the Orange County against HR 1 and HR 4. “Blocking need to make this decision but it is in the Corps—near the flagpole in front of the Congregation Community Organization access to the ballot box is unAmerican interest of safety for all. mausoleum. (OCCCO) spoke in support of HR1 and and undemocratic. We demand that Beginning Friday, May 28, flags will Thank you for your understanding. HR4. “These laws open the opportunity Congress pass national legislation to be made available at the entrance of We hope to resume our regular program to respond to two important crises in our protect voter rights and denounce voter Loma Vista Memorial Park [on next year. country—the attack against democracy, suppression tactics,” she said. Bastanchury] so families can place them Any other questions, please call (714) reflected in the assault in the capitol on After the speeches, cars paraded on their loved one's graves. Last year 871-2412 or visit the AVMA website at January 6, and the subsequent avalanche through Fullerton with signs in support over 500 families participated. www.avmafullerton.org and see photos of bills to suppress votes throughout the of protecting voting rights. The tradition started by the Chapman and videos of past ceremonies. Country and the urgent demand for family in 1939 to honor veterans

given time. A month later, no lines at all mutate into new and deadlier strains. COVID-19 Continued from front page were visible anywhere, and just a hand- Booster shots could become necessary ful of people waited in the same obser- for those already vaccinated. The County must maintain this Case ing masks for many businesses and pub- vation area. The site no longer even Rate figure below a value of 2, as well lic activities. requires advance appointments. City Committees and Commissions The reduced demand for vaccines is to Resume In-Person Meetings as maintain its already Yellow level Test The Orange County Healthcare not exclusive to Orange County, and is Positivity Rate (now at 1%) and Health Agency (HCA) reports that the number Fullerton’s various committees and worrying to healthcare officials across Equity Quartile Positivity Rate (now of persons fully vaccinated is now near- commissions who are not already meet- the country, raising serious concerns that 1.2%) to officially ascend to the Yellow ly 1.3 million, However, demand for ing in person are preparing to do so, “herd immunity” may be a lost cause Tier. Doing so will allow vaccinations has dropped many for the first time in over a year. because so many Americans simply outdoor social gatherings so much, at least among The City Council has previously indicat- refuse to get the vaccine, providing the of up to 100 people, a adults, that the HCA has ed that it will continue the practice of potential for a steady supply of host maximum of 50% capac- announced the closure of accepting public comments via Zoom. ity in indoor gatherings The County has all of its Super Point of individuals within whom the virus may where capacity limits announced the Dispensing (POD) sites, exist (up to 50 people), closure of all of its where mass vaccinations and a maximum of 200 have been offered to people for private events, Super Point of County residents and with mitigation measures Dispensing (POD) workers on June 6, and Grand Jury Releases Report Critical of including full testing and sites on June 6 will concentrate its County’s Pandemic Preparedness proof of vaccination for in favor of efforts in smaller, more all guests. dispersed clinics and The Orange County Grand Jury and a failed strategy to add personnel Indoor seated live per- smaller, more other more accessible dispersed clinics released a much anticipated report on during the emergency led to “execution formances would still be venues for those with May 11 detailing the results of their problems and errors” during the pan- limited to in-state patrons and venues. limited transportation months-long investigation of Orange demic, according to the report. with advance tickets, options. Vaccines are County’s pandemic preparedness and OCHCA’s Director Richard Sanchez with significant limita- now available for those plan. The report had little, if anything left his position in late March 2020, a tions on capacity depend- aged 12 or older. good to say about Orange County offi- critical time in the early days of the ing on the size of the The difference between cials’ preparedness prior to the declara- agency’s response to the pandemic, to venue. receiving the first of a two-dose vaccine tion of the pandemic in 2020 or its work for CalOptima, the County’s low- Most businesses, including amuse- regimen at the Anaheim Convention response during the past year, acting on income and disability insurance system. ment parks, will be allowed to increase Center site in mid-April and a second behalf of the County’s 3.2 million resi- The report did not address this particular to the number of patrons allowed inside dose in mid-May was startling. An April dents. vacancy, which was filled in the interim at one time. appointment required waiting in a short The investigation “revealed that while by a deputy who retired when the Board Gov. Newsom has indicated that the series of well-managed lines with Orange County had emergency plans of Supervisors eventually hired the cur- statewide mask mandate could be lifted dozens of other socially distanced indi- specific to a pandemic, these plans had rent director Dr. Clayton Chau. The as early as June 15. Last year, just prior viduals before advancing to a station for known gaps that were not addressed in Grand Jury did not comment specifical- to the announcement of the California a vaccine. The mandatory observation accordance with the state, national and ly on Chau’s performance. mandate, Fullerton, like many cities, area for recipients following the shot international guidelines.” Unfilled “bud- adopted its own limited mandate requir- contained at least 100 others at any geted” positions within the HCA’s ranks Continued on page 18 MID-MAY 2021 NEWS FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 3

A Historic Moment of Interfaith Solidarity

by Grace Widyatmadja

A moment of interfaith solidarity took place on Thursday May 13 as St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church welcomed the Islamic Center of Fullerton (ICOF) to their campus to host in-person Eid-al- Fitr prayers marking the end of Ramadan. Religious services during the pan- demic were put to a halt due to the risks of transmission of the virus in large crowds. This didn’t allow ICOF to have an in-person gathering for Eid last year. ICOF typically operates out of a small office space and were looking for a venue to accommodate their growing congregation for an in-person celebra- tion of Eid this year. But after searching with no success, the leaders of ICOF approached Father Dennis Kriz, clergy of St. Philip Benizi, who was excited to help. Hundreds of men, women, and chil- dren came onto the St. Philip Benizi campus on Thursday morning to pray and celebrate. Mohammad Raghib, The congregation listened to Dr. Faisal Qazi as he spoke. PHOTO BY BY GRACE WIDYATMADJA President of the Islamic Center of Fullerton, said that this was a historic into a mosque to pray. “I’m very, very excited and thankful for meet. Last year we were devastated that moment that reflected the vision of the “This feels like the same. Giving back the community [and] the church that we didn’t have any place. This year, Prophet Muhammad who welcomed to us in the same way,” Raghib said. they can give us this opportunity to praise to God that we are able to do it. Christians who were visiting Medina

FFFF Blog Continued from front page have serious implications for media out- meeting, Councilmember Jesus Silva lets in possession of confidential files told The Observer that he voted against in configuring the account and lax pass- In return, the FFFF bloggers must authorities do not want to have pub- the settlement agreement because he word controls, some of the files and fold- provide the City Attorney with the files lished. In the interest of free speech, didn’t support the City’s statement ers were, in fact, accessible and able to in question in any formats in which they courts have generally found in favor of exonerating the bloggers of wrongdo- be downloaded and/or accessed without possess them, use a systems-cleaning the right of newspapers and other media ing. “We have to defend the City. We’re circumventing access controls. software to delete or render unreadable to publish information not authorized to liable to the community. We have a fidu- Based on the City’s additional investi- the files in their possession, and delete be in their possession, a critical element ciary duty to constituents, and we didn’t gation and through discussions with Mr. the files from virtual storage or render of the Constitution’s First Amendment hold up our end of the bargain,” Silva Ferguson and Mr. Curlee, the City now them inaccessible. The latter two actions guarantee of a free press. said. agrees that documents were not stolen must be done in the presence of a speci- The American Civil Liberties Union A day after the settlement was or taken illegally from the shared file fied mediator. Prior to taking these (ACLU), Reporter’s Committee for announced, David Curlee, one of the account as the City previously believed actions, the bloggers cannot make any Freedom of the Press, and the Electronic bloggers named in the suit, said he was and asserted. The City retracts any and copies of the files or allow them to be Frontier Foundation (EFF) all filed ami- happy it was over. “It never should have all assertions that Friends for transferred to anyone else. cus briefs in support of the bloggers, gone to this level.” He said he felt bad Fullerton’s Future, Mr. Ferguson and/or Prior to publishing the confidential calling out the City for citing anti-com- that public money had been spent on the Mr. Curlee acted illegally in accessing files, FFFF bloggers had made dozens puter crime laws in an unprecedented lawsuit. “I don’t really see us as win- the documents. of public records requests of the City, way against the press. ners; I don’t think anyone really won.” The City has worked to protect the which had allegedly given them access Following the City Council vote to Asked if he thought the City had other confidentiality of non-public documents to more files than those requested, by settle the case, attorney Kimberly Hall motives for suing than just the return of while assuring robust public access to not requiring unique passwords for all Barlow, who handled the City’s case on files, Curlee said, “I think there was an public records. While our attempts to files in Dropbox folders to which the behalf of Fullerton’s legal firm Jones & intent there to punish. I don’t know what secure the documents after their unin- bloggers were directed. The defendants Mayer, commented only that she was their end goal was.” tentional release was well-meaning, it maintained throughout the case that the glad the City was getting its documents Referring to the files the settlement had consequences for Mr. Curlee and City had no proof that it was FFFF’s back. Barlow had argued in court that requires to be returned to the City, Mr. Ferguson that we did not intend. bloggers who had directly accessed the the City’s interest was not in restraining Curlee said, “It’s not like a library book The City regrets this misunderstand- confidential files. The bloggers were freedom of the press, but rather to you put back on a shelf. We have no idea ing.” never charged with any criminal offens- secure possession of the virtual docu- who else might have had the files Fullerton initiated the civil suit in es by the District Attorney. ments obtained from its Dropbox. they’re concerned about,” because the 2019 in response to the blog’s publish- The City has since added more robust City councilmembers Jesus Silva and City had never revealed the full access ing confidential City personnel records security to its online file system under Ahmad Zahra voted against the decision logs for the website where the files were revealing questionable conduct by City the direction of Fullerton Police Chief to settle the suit, while Mayor Bruce stored; individuals completely unknown staff. The City first issued a “Cease and Robert Dunn. Earlier this year, the City Whitaker, Mayor Pro Tem Nick Dunlap, to him and not connected with the FFFF Desist” letter, but when the bloggers did debuted a new web portal specifically and Councilmember Fred Jung voted for blog could have downloaded files from not comply, the City eventually sued for for public records requests, including the settlement. the site. the return of the documents and police reports. Following the Council’s settlement obtained a restraining order against pub- Significantly, the deletion and/or lishing any more files they claimed had return of files does not apply to any been downloaded by the bloggers with- already published by the blog, which out permission. The restraining order included documents showing Fullerton was quickly overturned, but the City police arranging the resignation of a Community Development Director Leaving to continued to pursue the civil case, which lieutenant who was being investigated Lead Buena Park Planning was scheduled for oral arguments the for wrongdoing in such a way that the following week. agreement would not be subject to a Director of Community Development Matt Foulkes is leaving his Fullerton posi- The May 12 settlement requires the then recent law requiring the release of tion on May 21 to become Community Development Director in the neighboring city of Fullerton to pay the Law Firm of police misconduct records to the public. city of Buena Park. Foulkes has worked for the city of Fullerton as a planner since Kelly Aviles $230,000 for legal fees The FFFF defense claimed that the 2015, becoming Director of Community Development in 2019. His departure incurred for representing FFFF and its blog’s publication of confidential City comes less than a month following the City's contract separation with City Manager bloggers in the case. The City will also files was in the public interest and that Ken Domer in late April, and leaves Community Development, like the Parks & pay the named bloggers, Joshua the restraining order initially obtained Recreation Department, without a permanent director in place during a time when Ferguson and David Curlee, $60,000 by the City constituted prior restraint of the City's administration is under the leadership of an Acting City Manager. each. press freedom. The case was seen to Page 4 FULLERTON OBSERVER COUNCIL NOTES MID-MAY 2021

FULLERTON CITY COUNCIL NOTES The Council meets at 6:30pm on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Upcoming agenda information and streaming video of meetings are available at www.cityoffullerton.com.

City Hall is located at 303 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. Contact Council at (714) 738-6311 or by email to: [email protected]

MAY 4 MEETING Closed Session: Before every public City Council meeting there is a closed ses- sion in which Council meets with various parties to discuss items outside the view of the public. During a special closed session meeting on May 12, Council met with legal counsel to discuss City of Fullerton v. Friends of Fullerton’s Future, Joshua Ferguson and David Curlee; Joshua Ferguson v. City of Fullerton; and Michael Destiche v. City of Fullerton. See story on front page. Public Comments

Unpermitted Trail Clearing: Jensen for a city manager. She said this decision Proposed allocation of General Fund budget for 2021-22. Hallstrom expressed concern about does not fit with Councilmembers’ state- unpermitted bike trail cutting that has ments about being good stewards of the been going on in Fullerton. He said that public’s money with the upcoming Budget Continued from front page a few individuals have used pickaxes, budget. “I think you owe all of us an shovels, and rakes to clear the hillside, explanation of why you did that,” Vena used a chainsaw to cut native elderberry said. The General Fund expenditures, board” cuts of 2%, 5%, and 10% from trees down, and hacked a native coast Hazard Pay for Grocery Workers: which include City employees’ salaries, General Fund expenditures. live oak tree—cutting off years-worth of Jesus Negrete, a Ralphs employee, as well as maintenance and operations, Chang said that she can do that, but growth on public trees. “This activity asked Council to pass a hazard pay ordi- is projected to be $110.8 million. The because 70% of the General Fund budg- needs to be stopped immediately nance for grocery workers who were on staff report shows a nearly $10 million et is labor, any cuts would have to be because these individuals are causing the front lines of the pandemic. Another deficit for the General Fund, although negotiated, and could not be immediate- thousands of dollars-worth of damages employee echoed these statements. “As when combined with all City revenues, ly imposed. to public lands, causing erosion of the heroes we are working face-to-face with the overall deficit is shown to be $2.4 Mayor Pro Tem Nick Dunlap agreed hillsides, cutting down vegetation that is customers, and we are in high risk. We million. with Jung’s idea for across the board wildlife habitat,” Hallstrom said. know that in other cities they’ve already About 70% of the General Fund rev- cuts. Former City Manager: Brianna passed this ordinance; we want you to enue comes from property and sales Councilmember Ahmad Zahra said Stickney and Jason Phillips thanked for- also pay attention to us in the city of taxes. Over 70% of General Fund that, while cuts may be inevitable, “I do mer City Manager Ken Domer for the Fullerton.” expenditures go to the police and fire want to make sure that we not compro- work he did in Fullerton and expressed Homeless Funding: Curtis Gamble departments. mise our services.” He suggested that disappointment that he was recently let suggested Council use some of the fund- Nearly a quarter of the total General cuts will require more precision and fine go by City Council. Diane Vena said that ing that the City will receive from the Fund goes to employee retirement costs tuning. the Council majority’s decision to termi- American Rescue Plan Act to go toward (through the State retirement program Chang said that cuts across the board nate the contract of Domer caused the shelter, housing, and safe parking for the CalPERS), or $26.8 million for the next would impact service levels. loss of $100,000 (a 9-month severance homeless. fiscal year. Mayor Whitaker said pay freezes and package), so the City is paying double use of attrition are also options. Budget Balancing Options There was disagreement among

Councilmembers about whether or not After the presentation, to use “contingency reserve” funding, Council Approves Brookhurst Road Councilmembers gave their ideas for and there is also uncertainty about how how to balance the budget. They all Annual Action Plan Improvements the federal stimulus funds may be used. agreed with a staff recommendation to Given these unknowns and the need to leave vacant 44 full-time positions that adopt a budget by June 1, Council Council voted unanimously to award a are currently unstaffed. Council approved a plan for housing agreed to hold another study session on $1,337,669 construction contract to Councilmember Fred Jung said he and community development programs May 18 to give final input prior to budg- Excel Paving for street improvements would be interested in “across the using federal funds through the on Brookhurst Rd. from Orangethorpe et adoption. Department of Housing and Urban Ave. to Commonwealth Ave. The cur- Development (HUD). The nearly $2 rent Pavement Condition Index scores million in funding will go to the follow- for these roadway segments range from ing: 27-47 (Very Poor to Poor). In addition to How to Participate in the • Affordable housing development, the pavement rehabilitation, the Sewer including housing for veterans and peo- Maintenance Division will address the May 18 City Council Meeting ple with special needs existing sewer main, including abandon- • Substandard housing rehabilitation ment of functionally obsolete sewer The next regular City Council meeting fullerton.com/participate. • Assistance to non-profit organiza- lines, sewer manhole upgrades, and will be held Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30pm. Residents can watch the broadcast tions that provide public services damaged storm drainpipe replacement There will be a special budget study ses- online at www.cityoffullerton.com/ftv3, • Fair Housing Practices support and associated catch basin reconstruc- sion at before the meeting at 5pm. on TV on Spectrum Channel 3, and • Job creation and retention tion. This will be the first major road Members of the public will be allowed AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. • Assistance to the homeless or those project working with SiFi fiberoptic so into the Chambers for this meeting, E-comments for this upcoming meet- at-risk of becoming homeless they are not re-cutting the road. Staff however, limited seating will be avail- ing will not be read out loud but will be • Provide for public infrastructure anticipates construction will begin in able due to social distancing. accepted for the record and distributed including ADA improvements through- June 2021 and conclude in September The public may watch and participate to the City Council. out the City to address accessibility 2021. virtually either by phone or via Zoom. For a calendar of upcoming city meet- For instructions on how to login or sub- ings and agendas visit: fullerton.legis- mit a written comment, visit www.cityof- tar.com/Calendar.aspx. Agenda Forecast

Agenda items for the May 18 meeting include:

• Acting City Manager Agreement • Establishment of Number of Whole-House Short-Term Rental Permits • Nutwood/Yale Area Infrastructure Improvement Project • Raytheon Company Encroachment License Agreement • License Agreement Between the City of Fullerton and Fullerton Free • City of Fullerton 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, 2020 Water Shortage • Surplus Property Declaration for Assessors Parcel Number 029-032-21 To view the full agenda visit fullerton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx MID-MAY 2021 NEWS FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 5

City Receives Grant for Union Pacific Trail by Jesse La Tour

Fullerton City Council voted 5-0 to receive a $1.78 million Urban Greening Program grant to construct a trail along the City-owned Union Pacific right-of- way from Highland Avenue to Independence Park at their May 4 meet- ing. An additional $330,712 in City funds will be used to complete the trail. The money will not come from the General Fund but from Park Dwelling Funds that must be used for park-related purposes. The Union Pacific Right-of-Way property begins just south of the Transportation Center at Santa Fe Ave. and Harbor Blvd. and extends 0.8 miles west to Independence Park between Truslow and Walnut Avenues. A short segment of the trail (phase I) was built in 2006, and extends from Harbor Blvd. to Highland Avenue, run- Union Pacific Trail concept drawings. ning along Union Pacific Park and behind a few industrial buildings. The said, “This project will encourage phys- new segment of the Trail, funded with ical activity, easier access to the the new grant money, will extend the Transportation Center and jobs, and turn Trail from Highland Avenue to a blighted area into a community asset. Independence Park, which is open, Please support this project and the com- along a corridor that is mainly flanked mitment to the health of the community by industrial buildings. that it makes.” A staff report states, “The project pro- Executive Director of Center for vides a safe alternate [walking and bik- Healthy Neighborhoods at Richman ing] route from the Transportation Park, Dr. Jessie Jones, pointed out that Center to the Richman south Fullerton does not Park and Independence have many trails as Park neighborhoods… opposed to north The trail project com- Fullerton, which has an prises ten feet of con- The new segment extensive trail system. crete trail, five feet of of the Trail, “This trail will make a decomposed granite funded mainly difference in the neigh- trail, site lighting, with grant money, borhood. We don’t have trees, native and trails in south Fullerton. drought tolerant land- will extend along We want to link with scaping, irrigation, and the Union Pacific north Fullerton,” Jones Above: Currently existing Union Pacific Trail, built in 2006. outdoor fitness equip- right-of-way said. Below: A portion of the proposed new trail along the old ment. The proposed from Highland “Please approve the Union Pacific right-of way. project will transform Union Pacific Trail for all an existing 50 feet Avenue to our families—it’s very wide to 80 feet wide, Independence Park. important,” one resident blighted corridor into a said. “We need green greenbelt trail...and space. We live in the link the Transportation south. Please do not for- Center and several get us. We need the trails parks, including in the same way as those Independence Park at its terminus.” who live in north Fullerton.” The California Urban Greening pro- “This will give more options for me to gram is “a competitive grant meant to walk with my children,” another resi- increase greening of public land by dent said. establishing and enhancing parks, non- Egleth Nunnci, a community leader motorized urban trails and safe walking and organizer in the Richman Park area routes, mitigation of urban heat islands, said, “We are here as a community green streets and alleyways and provide because we have this need. We want a and improve riparian habitat for water change…We are so lucky to have been capture and wildlife benefits,” accord- selected for $1.7 million in grants, ing to a staff report. which is very hard to get. We’re going to During time set aside for comment have 176 new trees. This will bring our many members of the public, especially families outside, doing exercise, bring- those associated with the CSUF Center ing health to our community, and now against project. Tony Bushala, whose ideas and proposals.” for Healthy Neighborhoods at Richman it’s in the hands of all of you to make the family owns about 30% of the property Because Union Pacific Park is current- Park, spoke in favor of the trail. right decision for our community.” along the proposed trail, has a different ly fenced off, the existing trail appears to Barry Ross of Providence/St. Jude One member of the public spoke vision for development of the area. not be widely used. A visit to the trail on Bushala expressed disappointment a Friday afternoon showed three people that he was not notified about the meet- using it, two of whom were experienc- ing and said he thought the project was a ing homelessness. Council recently waste of taxpayer dollars. allowed a proposal to expire that envi- “Before you make a decision on this, sioned turning Union Pacific Park into go over there to the existing trail an urban farm and event center. Bushala between Harbor and Highland and look also spoke against this proposal. at it and see what it is. It’s actually a no- Tony and George Bushala (of Bushala mans-land. The City spends lots of Brothers Inc.) are frequent contributors money cleaning it up. It’s adjacent to to City Council campaigns. In the 2020 industrial and residential buildings. It’s a election, Tony contributed $3,000 to the hodgepodge. It’s pie in the sky,” Bushala campaign of Mayor Pro Tem Nick said. He urged Council to allow others to Dunlap, and George gave $3,000 to the make proposals for the Union Pacific campaign of Fred Jung. right-of-way, and said, “My family has Continued on page 19 Page 6 OBSERVER The DOWNTOWN Report MID-MAY 2021 by Mike Ritto [email protected] © 2021

FIRESTONE TIRE SERVICE Discover Fullerton The corner of Harbor and Chapman has featured a lot of different businesses over Our Community Center is organizing a number of events Downtown, including a the years and early on, people would drive up and purchase tires and a variety of SoCo District Guided Walk and a business scavenger hunt. Businesses are signing automotive services. Now, you can once again spend some time relaxing in the up now for the Live Local events and more info can be found at www.fullertoncom- courtyard with a cup of Joe. Yes, it’s true, Dripp Coffee has reopened, so head back munitycenter.com/livelocal, or you can call (714) 738-6575. We will be sure to for some time under the olive trees. update you on details as this activity progresses. Nice idea!

CATCH UP ON AISLE 16

Decades ago if you wanted to know (and still are) to go online and get what what was happening in the Fullerton they could. Now, even with masks de music scene, you went to the corner of rigueur, conversations are common State College and Chapman. Sure, there there between those who are venturing was a live music venue on one of the forth. Why? For many, it’s the only con- corners, but also, a certain restaurant versation they may have that day. For where everyone went. Hey, if you have the most part, from what I have heard stories, let me know and maybe we will from those who suddenly no longer feel expand on this. BTW, some of those like strangers in a strange land, life is Troy High School kids graduated from getting better all the time. Are we at the playing in garages even before they beginning of the end, the normal on the graduated from High School. If you horizon? One thing for sure, according think all of those bands are gone, think to fellow shoppers, business is returning again—Social Distortion. to our downtown, and we can resurrect Now, if one wants to know what’s “Shop Fullerton First” plus include dine happening in Fullerton, a certain gro- here first as well. Disclaimer—ketchup cery store on Harbor may be the place to is on aisle 16, but most conversations get the goods. Early on in this COVID during the COVID Pandemic seem to nightmare it was scary to even walk into take place on the wine aisle. to a grocery store. Many were content Steve Sightings

There is a Facebook page for Steve the now famous peacock and the headline above is the name of the page if you want to check it out. Efforts are being made to map his journeys, so hopefully we will have that at some point. Many think there are multiple peacocks roaming, but then again, some don’t believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. Imagine that.

MUST BE THE SHOES

Years ago I came across a small shop a few blocks west of Harbor on Commonwealth where custom footwear was made for film, theme parks, and the- aters. Then, they moved to a much larger facility, where the venerable Fullerton Motor Parts store had been for many years. Capri Shoes had become a big success with industry orders, shoe repair and products, and from individual orders for cus- tom shoes. Now they have moved west to 3621 West Commonwealth near Fullerton Municipal Airport. Best of luck on your move. Sure hope something excit- ing pops up in the old location. Photo Quiz

THIS ISSUE:

What is that strange thing on the roof and what was it for (below)?

Pavement Send your answer to Mike at Commonwealth between Balcom and I walked there and had to be on the alert [email protected] Raymond plus Commonwealth between as drivers decided ROAD CLOSED was Raymond and Montague are now being just a suggestion. Many drove over striped, so the job may be completed by cones and when they got to Raymond, the time you read this. In between, the looked puzzled for some reason. One intersection where way too many seem driver skidded past me as he raced out of to miss the red light is also complete. the parking lot and turned into traffic on Since I have driven on that stretch hun- Wilshire, somehow not hitting anyone. dreds of thousands of times between Others were yelling out loud and actual- home and downtown since I located my ly trying to get around the cones, so they office here in the 80s, it’s probably only could drive on the still steaming asphalt. LAST ISSUE: being reconstructed because I personally Some just drove right over them. wore the pavement out. A few cars and Work on Orangethorpe between Question: Where were these sets of tires were laid to waste, as well. Woods and Highland is underway now. murals and what time of year was Now, at least between those two points, Let’s hope drivers on that side of this photo taken (above)? it’s all smooth riding. Fullerton have more patience. Raymond between Commonwealth Beginning soon, Brookhurst between Answer: Ross Publications and Chapman, including the Chapman Orangethorpe and Commonwealth will offices on West Amerige. I think intersection as well, are now completed. get the repaving treatment, so relax, put we all can see what time of year Going anywhere near there the day they on some soothing music, and avoid the this was taken. Santa IS real. removed and replaced Raymond was a area if you notice traffic up ahead. It IS bad idea. Yes, it took one day, and a few possible to get around and isn’t it worth days later they added the final top layer. it? It’s what we have all been asking for. MID-MAY 2021 NEWS & CROSSWORD FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 7

OUR TOWN CROSSWORD © 2021 “GOOD LUCK!” by Valerie Brickey (answer key on page 19)

Vacation Rent By Owner (VRBO) website shows some of the Short Term Rental properties in Fullerton. City Council Reverses Decision on Whole-House Short-Term Rental Ban

by Matthew Leslie apply for a three-year permit and pay a fee for it, as well as to contribute to the Fullerton’s ban on so-called “whole- City’s Transient Occupancy Tax. Before house” Short-Term Rentals (STRs) the ordinance was set to take effect last failed to gain enough City Council sup- October, however, the City was notified port during a required second reading that Local 11 of the hotel and restaurant that took place at their May 4 meeting. union UNITE HERE had threatened to The Council once again was split over sue, arguing that, as a change of proper- whether to restrict Short-Term Rental ty use, a decision to allow STRs in resi- properties to only those with an owner dential zones required the Council to present during the period of the rental. review the effects of STRs under But the same ordinance amendment, CEQA, the California Environmental which passed on a 3 to 2 vote in April, Quality Act. lost by the same margin the second time Because of the legal challenge, no per- 38. Somme summer with 1st District Councilmember Fred mits were issued while the City Council ACROSS 39. "Dies ___" (hymn) Jung pivoting his vote to a “no.” A com- forged a compromise in Closed Session 1. Medicare hospital ins. 40. "___ kleine Nachtmusik" promise amendment that would allow meetings that would satisfy UNITE 6. "Dig in!" 41. *Butane or methane, e.g. no more than 100 whole-house STRs is HERE. The compromise called for an 9. John Wayne Airport code 45. Single-celled creature expected to be heard by the Council on amendment that would require property 12. Freeze 47. Partner of born May 18. owners to be present during the period 13. Draft org.? 48. ___ patch STRs have been a topic of controversy of a rental, disallowing the renting-out 14. Catch, as flies 49. In the Red? for several years in Fullerton and other of an entire home with no owner pres- 15. *Stick in one's mouth, maybe 50. Brouhaha cities, with some residents complaining ent. STR owners would have a one-year 17. Up and about 53. Warren and Scheib that nearby homes have turned into amortization period to discontinue 18. Actress Arthur 54. "Good luck!" to an actor, and hotels while other homeowners insist whole-house rentals in order to offset 19. Elevator inventor literally what the starred answers do that it is their right to profit from their any expenses they might have incurred. 20. Bar stock 56. December 24 and 31 property by renting to vacationers and The compromise would effectively 21. Mideast's Gulf of ___ 57. "Hamilton" creator others for as little as a few days at time. prevent a single owner from buying up 22. Wiped clean ___-Manuel Miranda The practice has become popular and multiple properties in Fullerton to use as 24. *Purchase in a practical joke shop 58. Downy duck lucrative in the past decade as STR-list- STRs, as well as ensure that someone at 28. Cry of dismay 59. Checkers color ing websites like Airbnb and VRBO the home would be there to respond to 29. It comes out of a pen, 60. Sylvester, to Tweety make it possible to maintain high occu- complaints of noise, trash, and other either with or without its first letter 61. Fall loosely pancy rates year round in tourist destina- potential complaints by neighbors. On 30. Wall St. debut tion regions like Southern California. April 27, the City Council adopted the 33. *Spot for squash Fullerton’s City Council had debated amendment over the objections of options for governing STRs on and off Mayor Bruce Whitaker and Mayor Pro for 5 years before finally adopting an Tem Nick Dunlap, who voted against it. ordinance last year that limited STR The amendment required a second properties to no more than 325 through- reading at the next City Council meeting DOWN 16. And others: Abbr. out the City and required enough dis- to become law however, and sometime 1. Mr. ___ (soda) 17. Where Denali is located tance between them to keep streets from between the two meetings it appears that 2. "Take ___ from me..." 21. Double-reed instrument being transformed into hotel rows. The 3. Country singer McEntire 22. "Night" author Wiesel ordinance also required STR owners to Continued on page 19 4. It has a certain ring to it? 23. "You ___?" 5. Poise 24. Hawk's opposite 6. V-8, e.g. 25. Eng. Course 7. "I'd take ___ or a train" 26. "Bus Stop" playwright 8. ___ o' shanter 27. Automaton of Jewish legend 9. Embarrassment 30. "Gotcha, man" 10. In the buff 31. Baseball's Tony or Alejandro 11. Rusts or grays 32. Change for a five 14. Havarti alternative 34. Backsplash installers, often 35. Resident of 21-Across 36. The Crimson Tide, familiarly 37. College in Portland, Ore. 41. Newborn horses 42. Not at school, e.g. 43. Town north of Fullerton 44. Oozed out 45. "The play got ___ review!" 46. Bogged down 48. Pacifico, for one 49. Diva's delivery 50. Alan of "M*A*S*H" 51. Not shallow 52. Grimm figure 54. Club alternative 55. Televise Page 8 FULLERTON OBSERVER EDUCATION MID-MAY 2021

SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTES by Jan Youngman

Fullerton School District Board meets at 6pm on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month at district headquarters, 1401 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton. For agenda go to: www.fsd.k12.ca.us or call 714-447-7400

May 11 FSD Board Meeting

The meeting started with students vide extra services for English Learners, from Raymond School's Dual Foster Youth, and Low-income students. Immersion program leading the Pledge It focuses on parent engagement, stu- of Allegiance in English and Spanish via dent engagement, and school climate. Zoom. Next was the recognition of stu- Results are reported through the Youth dents who won this year's "Wonder of Truth Family Survey. The District pro- Water" competition sponsored by the vides academic services such as summer Kids Fish On non-profit group (actually programs at Richman School and access consisting of Dr. Pletka and friends). to hotspots in various areas of the Each winning picture was digitalized, District. A stakeholder's advisory group enlarged, and copied onto a hard board meets three times a year and has 40 for the winners to keep. Winners were members. A community stakeholder sur- Celine Park, Sunset Lane, 6th Grade, vey is conducted to list priorities. and Andrew Kim, Sunset Lane, 5th Current priorities are learning recovery Grade; Mandy Greco,1st Place, Ladera and enrichment, inclusion of students in Vista Jr. High, 7th Grade; Christine programs, technology-equity in learn- Kim, 1st Place, Laguna Road, 2nd ing, and social-emotional assistance. Grade; Violet Chin,1st Place, Ladera Progress: The District reports that the Vista Jr. High, 8th grade; Jackson students are showing great progress. Martinez, Nicolas Jr. High, 8th grade; The District announced that it is current- Maya Serrano, Woodcrest, 5th grade; ly looking at hiring a school Social and Parker Yee, Fisler, 7th Grade. Each Worker and Social Service Assistants to of their artwork was outstanding. work in the schools. They would be part Teacher of the Year Recognition: of a Behavior Crisis Team for the Rebecca Robledo, a teacher at Ladera District. There also are plans to have a Vista Jr. High School of the Arts was mental health therapist for every school named Junior High School Teacher of site. the Year, and Pamela Zummel, a teacher The District has received an Dream Catchers is a Fullerton School District initiative to highlight students who at Hermosa Drive School was named "Expanded Learning Opportunity are taking their learning beyond the classroom to make an impact in their commu- Elementary teacher of the year. Grant" from the State. Some of the fund- nity. The 2020-21 DreamCatchers, as shown above, are Aubrey, Charlize, Emily, LCAP (Local Control Supplemental ing will go to providing Social- Ethan, Jackson, Josiah, Nathalie, Samsarahi, Sarafina, and Shriya. To learn more Funding): The focus of this program is Emotional assistance to students, fami- about these inspiring students, visit www.fullertonsd.org. to provide supplemental funding to pro- lies, and staff.

Administration is offering the same the existing curriculum were adopted at HIGH SCHOOL BOARD HIGHLIGHTS choices to students as before the pan- this time. demic. Students must choose all-dis- & Commentary by Vivien Moreno tance or in-person education environ- Return to In-person Learning The Fullerton Joint Union High School District Board ments. To participate in the iSierra dis- Environment

tance learning program, students must information available by calling 714-870-2800 The Trustees voted 5-0 approval of all transfer to La Sierra High School to join or visiting www.fjuhsd.net students to return to five days a week, the program with no mention of in-person instruction for the 2021/22 extracurricular options of sports or arts school year beginning in August. Dr. participation at home schools. The Kaufman warned that returning to in- Trustees made no comments nor asked person learning is guided by still-chang- any questions concerning extracurricu- May 11 FJUHSD Board Meeting ing Orange County Department of lar options for iSierra students during Health updates currently requiring the public meeting. mask-wearing and some social distanc-

Teacher and Classified High School State Recognitions ing while indoors. Excluding a few spe- SBE Ethnic Studies Employee of the Year cial circumstances, students unable to Principal Dr. Will Mynster announced Curriculum Update The Board celebrated graduating that Troy High School was designated as follow the health guidelines may trans- Student Board Member Jenna Beining, a California Distinguished School, an Board President Marilyn Buchi fer to La Sierra High School and partic- who plans to continue her education at honor for schools that have the highest requested District information concern- ipate in the iSierra online academic pro- UCI. They honored Rob Shetland from scholastic programs and practices in the ing the recently adopted State Board of gram. Buena Park High School and Sovey State. Principal Laura Rubio revealed Education’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. The SBE model curriculum Disbanding District Booster Clubs Long-Latteri from La Sierra High that Fullerton Union High School is an optional educational resource for School as the District Teachers of the became one of 33 California schools The Trustees voted 4-1 to approve the individual school districts to create use- Year and Rey Hernandez from Sonora designated as a California Exemplary consent calendar that included deautho- ful educational programs that include a High School as the Classified Employee Arts School that provides high caliber rizing nine athletic booster clubs mainly balance of African American, of the Year. This year all school sites art education across disciplines while from Fullerton Union High School. Joan Latino/a/x, Asian, and Indigenous made engaging, quick videos celebrat- improving State standards in academics Velasco, Assistant Superintendent of Peoples’ perspectives and may be modi- ing each school site teacher and classi- or school climate during this unusual Business Services, indicated that this fied to suit their individual needs. The fied employees of the year at educational year. was a yearlong issue, and reauthoriza- final draft includes many additional eth- www.fjuhsd.org/Page/3734. tion takes two years. The disbanded nic cultures to incorporate in a social FSTO Update booster funds will go into separate ASB sciences program. Districts may imple- New Student Board Members accounts to support the various sports Fullerton Secondary Teachers’ ment these resources as they deem teams. Dr. Vicki Calhoun cast the dis- After thanking the Trustees and Organization (FSTO) President Angie appropriate. Dr. Kaufman explained senting vote saying that after all these Administrators for their support, Jenna Cencak acknowledged the District’s FJUHSD’s process of incorporating a years, it seemed strange to audit parent Beining introduced next year’s Student support for teachers through this diffi- new curriculum districtwide, which fundraising groups during the pandemic Board Member, incoming Buena Park cult school year and urged the includes extensive teacher collaboration year when paperwork is slower to file senior Grace Lee, and Vice Chair Administration to offer an expanded and student feedback. After most of the and be accepted. Ms. Velasco indicated Atticus Kim, who is an incoming senior online option for students who may still Trustees restated the FJUHSD tradition that almost all other booster clubs at at Troy High School. Both eloquent stu- be experiencing trauma or anxiety when of taking plenty of time to incorporate other school sites managed to file appro- dents uphold the FJUHSD tradition of they return to school in August. Dr. new changes, they indicated their sup- priate paperwork. being academically high-achieving and Silvia Kaufman, Assistant port for District exploration of the The next regularly scheduled dedicated to serving the community. Superintendent of Education, squashed expansion of ethnic studies in the FJUHSD meeting is June 8 at 6pm. those hopes by being clear that the District curriculum, but no changes to MID-MAY 2021 YOUNG OBSERVERS FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 9

WHAT’S TRENDING? TEEN OBSERVER by Francine, 9th grade by Irene, 9th grade

Fullerton’s 12- to 15-Year-Olds ‘Happier Than Ever’ Eager To Get COVID-19 Vaccine After recently announcing the coming of her new album “Happier Than Ever,” 19-year-old singer Billie Eilish took the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s Pre-Add Chart. The Album is expected to release on July 30, and fans are anticipating the As soon as I learned the news last experienced by adults. For example, my collection in which the singer takes an entirely new aesthetic away from her iconic week on the imminent approval of mom got the Pfizer vaccine and had a neon green style. She offers a sneak-peak with the single “Your Power” released on Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine sore arm for one day, which is a com- April 29. The latest song communicates a profound message and impresses interna- for youths 12 to 15 years old, I conduct- mon side effect. Personally, I would like tional listeners as it appears on the U.K.’s Top 10 charts. As she teases her fans with ed a survey among a handful of preteens to wait for a month or two to see how the short snippets of her song and Vogue magazine covers, the public anticipates what and teens in our City on whether they vaccine goes with other kids so that I more the young artist has to show. plan to get the vaccine. They quickly am prepared when it is my turn. I am responded and I got these results: aware that there are many posts online • Yes, I will get the vaccine - 30 of 40 spreading false information on side respondents (75%) effects, so I need to make sure that I use • No, I will not get the vaccine - 10 reliable sources. By having the right KEEPING FIT by Abigail, 5th grade of 40 respondents (25%) information and by clarifying misunder- I am among the 75% (3 in 4 respon- standings and fears, we can educate our dents) who plan to get the vaccine and peers to help in this battle against the GET SOME FRESH AIR I hope that our eagerness would encour- pandemic. So far, over 100 million adult age our parents to get us vaccinated. Americans have been fully vaccinated. Most polls conducted including those But with the recent emergency approval Since the quarantine, I think we can all agree we slipped into a lot of bad habits— reported a week ago by The New York for the vaccine to be given to 12- to 15- eating more food, staying on the couch all-day, and binge-watching Netflix. But of Times, US News, and Medicine.Net year-olds, middle and high schoolers course, one day, all of that needs to change. Exercising is so important in our daily indicate that only 29% of parents in the like us will help boost the quest for herd lives because it affects our health. Of course, we can’t do all these body workouts US are willing to get their children vac- immunity. on YouTube, but even just a simple walk in the park is nice. Getting fresh air helps cinated. The enthusiasm among the sur- A common reason for getting the vac- us become less stressed, and it is a great way to bond with family members. Biking vey respondents shows that these mem- cine among the respondents is the free- around the neighborhood is another option. Just recently, I’ve been going on walks bers of Generation Z are not affected by dom to finally meet up with their friends with my mom, and it helps me loosen up tight muscles and nerves. Sometimes, if I the mindsets of their parents. While this group and feel less worried about getting have a very important test and cannot go for walks, I do my studying outside and enthusiasm is encouraging, it is also infected. No one wants to remain isolat- enjoy the breeze. Make sure to at least get outside and breathe in some actual fresh important for preteens and teens to ed for a long time and the vaccine offers air. understand how this vaccine will affect a solution that could help us return to them. So far, the data show that the our normal lives. Just hearing about this Pfizer vaccine for our age group has vaccine makes me excited for the sum- BOOK REVIEW by Katie, 5th grade 100% efficacy and the possible side mer and the next school year. effects are similar to those commonly The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He Sci-Fi/Fantasy, 384 pages Published May 4, 2021 4.5/5 stars KIDS RULE! Tegan, 3rd grade

Joan He has done it again. After read- Kasey is witty and smart but wants to Fullerton School District ing the masterpiece that was Descendant forget her lost sister, Celia. They were of the Crane, I jumped at the chance to once whole together then roughly torn Speech and Debate Team Heads to read her next book, and I’m so excited to apart by waves of salt and differences in Nationals Next Month say that The Ones We're Meant to Find belief. did not disappoint in the slightest. With Joan He’s writing is absolutely noth- her sophomore novel, Joan has cement- ing like I’ve seen before. She writes “Speech is a sport. It takes time, I am most familiar with storytelling ed herself as one of my favorite authors. vivid language rendered in gorgeous effort, and perseverance to keep practic- because my brother practices it. To per- Her sense of character is brilliant, her prose, and the messages of this book are ing the same speech over and over form a speech, one is expected to recite writing exquisite, and her work genius. delivered without holding back. They again,” says Angela Larsh, one of lines perfectly, stay focused, use ges- She manages to pull an entirely messy left a huge imprint crashing down upon Fullerton School District’s (FSD) tures, and change one’s voice with each response from the reader—a mix of me, a never-ending deluge of words and speech advisers. But for students and character’s part. Students practice their emotions that simply cannot begin to be emotions. But above all, this book is coaches in FSD, it is worth all the hard own specific speeches and add their own described. about what it means to be human, how work as the District advances to the “flavor,” such as details and descrip- Cee and Kasey are sisters, one longing we're never alone no matter how lonely nationals in this year’s Speech and tions. In the meantime, eight lucky stu- for another and one longing to forget. we feel. And finally, it is about the ones Debate competition set for June 13. dents from each FSD school will know Cee is lonely, stranded on an island, left we're meant to care for, desire, and love; Laguna Road won the large school cate- this week if they are among the 3rd to with nothing but memories of her sister. the ones we're meant to find. gory for having the most winners at the 7th graders who will join the free speech California Michael Leigh State and debate camp from June 28 through Championship held last month. July 8. For those interested in joining the Beechwood, Richman, Rolling Hills, Speech and Debate Club of FSD next Hermosa, Fisler, and Sunset Lane also school year, please talk to your teacher, won in various categories that include check out the FSD website, www.fuller- storytelling, declamation, poetry, prose, tonsd.org. informative, and original oratory.

australianswimschool.com Page 10 FULLERTON OBSERVER FEATURE MID-MAY 2021

The Limits of Desegregation: A Story of Maple School (Part 1)

by Jesse La Tour Thus it was often the case that, in order to comply with desegregation In 1896, Homer Plessy, who was 1/8th orders, districts would adopt one-way black, entered a whites-only railroad car busing, in which they would bus black and was arrested. The Supreme Court and Latino kids to majority white ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson that the doc- schools, but not bus white kids to major- trine of “Separate but equal” was consti- ity black and Latino schools. tutional; as long as equal facilities are A fairer, but often dismissed, proposal provided for different races, it was was two-way busing, in which the bus- “fair.” Justice John Marshall Harlan was ing would be reciprocal—with some the one dissenting vote and wrote, “The white kids going to majority black and Constitution is colorblind.” Latino Schools, and some black and This “separate but equal” doctrine Latino kids going to majority white stood for 50 years until in the case of schools. Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, In his 2016 book Why Busing Failed: the Supreme Court overturned the Race, Media, and the National Plessy decision say- Resistance to School ing, “Separate is Desegregation, historian inherently unequal.” Matthew F. Delmont In the majority opin- chronicles this oft-for- ion, they quoted While many in gotten aspect of the Justice Harlan. the north were American Civil Rights In the late 1960s ideologically opposed story—when millions of and early 1970s, a Americans decided the significant chapter of to segregated schools, limits of desegregation. many white parents Fullerton’s civil rights A few examples: Maple School was built in 1924. story centered around were also opposed • New York: In March how to desegregate to having their kids 1964, over 10,000 white Maple Elementary parents walked from the While Brown v. Board of Education ence in the quality of the books and School, which was bused from their Board of Education may have established the legal mandate facilities between Maple and Acacia. 98% Latino and Black neighborhood schools building in Brooklyn to that “separate but equal” schools are Fullerton resident Mary Perkins, who at the time. to schools in black city hall in Manhattan to unconstitutional, actual implementation is African American, said that her son Officially, segrega- and Latino protest against integra- of integrating schools took much longer and daughter were also among the first tion of African tion of New York City and in some places never really hap- students to be bused from Maple for American students in neighborhoods. schools. They hoped to pened. integration. They too were bused to California was out- persuade the school Two important court cases in Acacia. lawed by the State board to abandon a California in 1963, Crawford v. Los “When my son was at Acacia, he was Supreme Court in school pairing plan that Angeles School Board and Jackson v. the only black student in the whole stu- 1890, and the segre- called for students to be Pasadena City School District prompted dent body,” Mary said. “My daughter gation of Mexican- transferred between pre- the State Board of Education to adopt an [one grade behind her brother] did have American students succumbed to a legal dominantly black and Puerto Rican advisory policy “declaring that any one other girl there [who was] African challenge by a group of parents in schools and white schools. school whose enrollment of minority American. They were not kind to them, Orange County in the case Mendez v. • Chicago: In 1967, superintendent students differed by more than 15% you know. They told them, ‘My mother Westminster in 1946. And in 1954, the Redmond proposed a plan to bus 5,000 from the percentage of students in the says I have to be nice to you because Brown decision case declared that the black and white students between the district as a whole would be considered you’re poor.’ That kind of stuff.” “separate but equal” doctrine was South Shore and Austin areas. After racially imbalanced and would require Mary and her husband Gil moved to unconstitutional. white protests, this two-way plan was the school district to take corrective Fullerton in 1960 with their two chil- However, while de jure (legal) segre- discarded in favor of a one-way plan. action.” dren. gation was made illegal, de facto (in • Boston: In 1966, Boston implement- As a result of these cases and State “We were looking for a place for the practice) segregation remained. ed a one-way busing program called orders, Fullerton began the process of kids to go to school where they could get Neighborhoods were still separated by METCO. Suburban communities wel- desegregating Maple School. all their education in one place, so we socio-economic factors so schools comed a small number of black students Fullerton resident Roberto “Bobby” decided on Fullerton,” Mary said. remained segregated. from Boston city schools through the Melendez was among the first students While Fullerton “the Education City” The integration plan many districts METCO program, but opposed two-way to be bused from Maple to one of eight offered many educational opportunities, came up with was to bus students to “busing” (that is, sending suburban kids other schools to begin the desegregation housing options were limited for African schools outside their (de facto segregat- to Boston city schools and vice versa). process during the 1966-67 school year Americans at that time. ed) neighborhoods. In March 1972, President Richard when 5th and 6th graders were bused. “We looked for a house in a lot of While many in the north were ideo- Nixon delivered a nationally-televised Bobby was going into sixth grade. He, places, but they [realtors] would only logically opposed to segregated schools, speech in which he called on Congress along with a number of friends from show us two tracts when we were look- many white parents were also opposed to enact a moratorium on orders mandat- Maple, was bused to Acacia school. ing for a house. One was here [on to having their kids bused from their ing that school districts use busing of “I think we were more of a curiosity to Truslow] and one was in Placentia,” neighborhood schools to schools in students to achieve school desegrega- the kids that were there because they Mary said. black and Latino neighborhoods. tion. were like social distancing from us,” Gil Perkins involved himself in fair Melendez remembers. “They were kind housing and often spoke at City Council of looking at us with some surprise.” meetings on behalf of his neighborhood. Fortunately, he knew some boys from As 1970 rolled around, all 12 Orange Acacia from playing East Fullerton County school districts were ordered by Little League, like his friend Kevin the State to rectify their racially imbal- Barlow. anced enrollments. Although the “So we went up to Kevin and his Fullerton School District had begun bus- friends during recess and said, ‘Lets ing 5th and 6th graders out of the Maple play some football.’ So we all played neighborhood for the past few years, the that day…It was the browns against the State ordered that Maple could not have whites,” Melendez said. more than a 30% minority enrollment. When the bell rang, Kevin walked up Maple at the time had a 98% Latino to Bobby and said, “Tomorrow I’ll be on and black enrollment your team.” The LA Times wrote, “Although Thus began the integration of Acacia Maple School is the only one in school—not with federal troops, but Fullerton identified as imbalanced, it has with a game of schoolyard football. perhaps the most seriously lopsided “I think that set the stage,” Melendez classrooms in all of Orange County." said. “We became very good friends. I A Human Relations Advisory got to stay over at some of the houses of Committee was formed in 1971 to some of my new friends that I met.” develop integration plans for Maple. Bobby was fortunate in having a They all involved voluntary two-way group that bonded over sports. While at busing. Acacia, he remembers noticing a differ- Judith Kaluzny was part of this com- MID-MAY 2021 FEATURE FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 11

Bobby Melendez at Acacia School in 1967. mittee, which developed three integra- quality of education at Maple, and the tion plans, all of which called for volun- simple fact that they just didn’t want tary two-way busing of students their kids to mix with the brown kids,” between Maple and other schools, and Ramirez said. keeping Maple open. Unfortunately, At a crowded school board meeting in according to Kaluzny, the administra- January 1972, Ramirez and the Maple tion was determined to close Maple community presented their plan for school. desegregation, which involved keeping “Our plans were summarily dis- Maple open and implementing two-way missed,” Kaluzny remembers. “We were busing between north and south supposed to have eliminated segregation Fullerton. in our elementary Among the numerous schools by eliminating speakers at that meeting the segregated school.” was Florine Yoder who After basically dis- said she represented the carding the plans creat- “The burden of residents of north ed by the Human busing was put Fullerton. According to Relations Committee, the Fullerton News the FSD administration on just one Tribune, which chroni- then created its own segment of cled many of these meet- desegregation plans, the community— ings for posterity, “Yoder cation at our school.” “The inequity of placing the main bur- which involved closing those that had told the board that if The News-Tribune reported, “Any dis- den of desegregation on the minority down Maple entirely. minorities wanted to cussion of the specifics of the seven community was a common theme dur- All involved one-way the least attend a desegregated collective voice.” plans was lost in the attacks on busing ing the hour and 20 minute discussion busing of kids out of school, they must accept and the laws that require desegregation.” period preceding the vote,” according to the Maple neighbor- the responsibilities of In February 1972, over 500 people the News-Tribune. hood. —Dr. Richard Ramirez desegregation, including packed into Wilshire Auditorium to “Why are we putting on the backs of Dr. Richard busing and attending a voice their opinions on the question of the minority the responsibility of inte- Ramirez, who grew up school out of their neigh- Maple School. At the meeting, police in grating the schools?” asked Bruce in the Maple neighbor- borhood.” riot gear were on hand to ensure an Johnson. He called for a “new advisory hood, was a sociology Evidently, the responsi- orderly proceeding. committee that will not be disbanded professor at Fullerton bility of desegregation After lively public debate, the School until an equitable and just solution is College in 1972. He got involved with did not extend to those predominantly Board voted 3-2 to adopt a desegrega- found.” the Maple Community group because he white families in north Fullerton. tion plan that closed Maple School and Upon completion of the vote, Barney felt that the families in the neighborhood “We do not want our children bused called for the busing of all children from Schur, consultant in intergroup relations were not being treated fairly by the and we want to retain schools in our the Maple neighborhood to eight other for the California Department of school administration and the communi- own neighborhoods,” Yoder told the schools. Education said, “You are going to have a ty at large. board. Board members Alvin M. Berlowe, problem with it [one-way busing]. It is “The burden of busing was put on just Reflecting on those meetings, Nancy Fix, and Steward L. Johnson viewed as unconstitutional by the one segment of the community—those Ramirez said, “It was really a question voted in favor. Board president Robert F. courts.” that had the least collective voice,” of fairness. If indeed we have to follow Rube and Lloyd G. Carnahan voted According to the News-Tribune, Ramirez said. “The Board did not reflect this federal law, then every family, every against. “Upon hearing the vote, several repre- that segment of the community.” child should be able to give the same As was documented in the Fullerton sentatives of the largely Chicano Maple Ramirez was instrumental in helping level of responsibility.” News-Tribune, Board President Rube community threatened lawsuits on the formulate the Maple Community’s own The following week, 200 Fullerton said, “You can’t tell me it’s right to close basis of discrimination.” desegregation plan, which called for residents showed up at another school Maple and not close other schools.” To be continued… two-way busing and other measures to board meeting to discuss the seven dif- achieve equity. ferent desegregation plans—three from Part of his role was to meet with par- the Human Relations Committee, three ents in north Fullerton to better under- from the administration, and one from stand their concerns. the Maple Community. “I’d say we had 10 to 15 different “We want meaningful education, not small family group meetings with useless transportation,” said Layton R. them,” Ramirez said. “The common Buckner, spokesman for the Concerned theme that came out of our discussions Parents and Citizens of Sunset Lane with them was they were fearful for School [in north Fullerton]. “We feel it their kids because they would be going is wiser to spend money on teachers, into the ‘barrio,’ the ‘ghetto.’” books, and special programs than on The other main concern of the largely buses and bus drivers.” white parents of north Fullerton was the Some Latinos, like Larry Labrado, quality of education at Maple. were also against busing. “Those were the two consistent “Chicanos don’t want to go to your themes—fear and anxiety as far as the schools,” he said. “We want better edu- Page 12 FULLERTON OBSERVER LA VOZ LATINA MID-MAY 2021

Mr. Miguel and Mrs. Eva at their wedding anniversary. They still live in the same home that Paola refers to in the writing. El Sr. Miguel y la Sra. Eva en su aniver- sario de bodas. Los señores Ledezma siguen viviendo en la misma casa a la que Paola hace referencia en su escrito. Under the Jacaranda Trees

by Paula Ledezma-Suchland was perfect for my family. My father, The family picture includes three generations: Mr. Miguel and Mrs. Eva Lesezma, who also worked at the Fullerton Home (Paola’s parents), Jorge and Lucy (Paola’s siblings) with their husbands and wife, My family and I came to the city of Depot, did not have to drive more than and Paola’s and Lucy’s children. En la foto familiar encontramos tres genera- Fullerton 29 years ago. Previously, we 10 minutes to work and my mother, who ciones: El Sr. Miguel y la Sra. Eva Ledezma (padres de Paola), Lucy y Jorge, lived in the city of Placentia in a small did not drive, could easily do her shop- (hermanos de Paola) con sus esposos y esposa, y los hijos de Paola y Lucy. garage arranged as a small apartment. ping in the different local supermarkets The garage had two rooms, a kitchen, a such as "La Gonzalez" or "La Numero bathroom, and even a small living room Uno. " Bajo los árboles de jacarandas where we had a brown sofa bed where Today, after 29 years, our house in my parents slept. Although small, the Fullerton is no longer the same house. garage was perfect for my parents Eva During these 29 years our house has por Paula Ledezma-Suchland más de 10 minutos a su trabajo y mi and Miguel, and my siblings Lucy and been remodeled, painted in another madre que no manejaba, fácilmente Jorge. We lived there until the day my color and my siblings Lucy and Miguel Mi familia y yo llegamos a la ciudad podía hacer sus compras en los difer- father announced that we would move and I have moved from there to neigh- de Fullerton hace 29 años. entes supermercados locales como “La into what would finally be our first boring cities, near Fullerton. Anteriormente, vivíamos en la ciudad de González” o “La Número Uno.” home. However, the city of Fullerton and our Placentia dentro de una pequeña cochera Hoy después de 29 años nuestra casa Leaving the city of Placentia was at home have witnessed memories and (garaje) arreglado como un pequeño en Fullerton ya no es la misma casa. first difficult for everyone. My siblings special moments that we will forever departamento. El garaje tenía dos cuar- Durante estos 29 años nuestra casa ha had friends at school and we were part hold in our hearts. My younger brother tos, un baño, una cocina y hasta una sido remodelada, pintada de otro color y of the choir and grupo folklorico at Saint Isaias was born in Saint Jude hospital, pequeña salita. Allí teníamos un sofá mi hermanos Lucy y Miguel y yo nos Joseph’s Catholic Church. Besides, bringing joy to our home for the arrival cama café donde mis padres dormían. hemos mudado de allí a ciudades cerca Placencia was the first city we got to of a new baby. At our house in Fullerton, Aunque pequeño, el garaje era perfecto de Fullerton. know when we arrived in California we have also celebrated birthdays, cele- para mis padres, Eva y Miguel y mis Sin embargo, la ciudad de Fullerton y from Guadalajara Jalisco without mate- brations such as my parents' 40th hermanos Lucy y Jorge. Vivimos ahí nuestra casa han sido testigo de memo- rial things, but full of dreams and hopes anniversary, my brother Jorge's proposal hasta el día que mi padre nos anunció rias y momentos especiales que por for a better future. to his wife Wendy, and baptisms of the que nos mudaríamos a lo que por fin siempre guardaremos en nuestro Thanks to the help of an uncle and the grandchildren (my sister's children and sería nuestra primera casa. corazón. En el hospital San Judas nació hard work of my parents, we bought our mine). Dejar la ciudad de Placentia fue al mi hermano menor Isaías, trayendo a first home in Fullerton between Gilbert At the same time, the Fullerton com- principio difícil para todos. Yo y mis nuestro hogar alegría y emoción por la and Carol Dr. Fullerton was an unfamil- munity has embraced us by making us hermanos teníamos amigos en la escuela llegada de un nuevo bebé. En nuestra iar city to our family. All we knew about feel part of their schools, from elemen- y formábamos parte del coro y grupo casa de Fullerton también hemos cele- Fullerton was that it had a train station tary to Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton folklórico de la iglesia de San José. brado cumpleaños, celebraciones como and that St. Philip's Church was no more College from which my siblings and I Placencia fue la primera ciudad que el aniversario de 40 años de mis padres, than a 10-minute walk from the house. graduated. conocimos cuando llegamos a la pedida de mano de mi hermano Jorge Also, we knew that Fullerton had very Today our Fullerton home is no longer California de Guadalajara Jalisco, sin a su esposa Wendy, bautizos de los good schools close to home. For that just the home of the Ledezma family. cosas materiales, pero llenos de sueños nietos (hijos de mi hermana y míos). reason, my parents enrolled my sister After 29 years, it is the house of Papa y esperanza por un futuro mejor. A la misma vez, la comunidad de Lucy and Jorge at Valencia Park and me Miguel and Mama Eva, as their five— Gracias a la ayuda de un tío y al Fullerton nos ha bienvenido hacién- at Russell Parks Junior High. soon to be six—grandchildren call them. esfuerzo y trabajo de mis padres, com- donos sentir parte de sus escuelas, desde Our new pink Fullerton home with As a family we are grateful to the city of pramos nuestra primera casa en la primaria hasta la Universidad Cal brown finishes, with a huge patio and a Fullerton and to St. Philip 's Church. As Fullerton entre las calles Gilbert y Carol State Fullerton y Fullerton College de beautiful jacaranda tree out front, a family, it is our wish that the large Drive. Para nuestra familia, Fullerton donde se graduaron mis hermanos y yo. became our home. The streets of our Jacaranda trees in our front yard contin- era una ciudad desconocida. Lo único Hoy en día nuestra casa de Fullerton neighborhood on Carol Drive were ue to flourish and listen to the laughter que sabíamos de Fullerton era que tenía ya no solamente es la casa de la familia always lined with trees that each fall and music that comes from today and una estación de tren y que la iglesia de Ledezma. Después de 29 años, es la casa changed their leaves’ color according to always from“Papá Miguel’s and Mama San Felipe quedaba a no más de 10 min- de papá Miguel y mamá Eva, como les the season. The location of the house Eva’s” house. utos caminando de la casa. También, llaman sus nietos, cinco nietos y uno en sabíamos que Fullerton contaba con mi camino. Como familia nos sentimos muy buenas escuelas cerca de la casa. agradecidos con la ciudad y nuestra Por esa razón, mis padres matricularon a comunidad de la iglesia San Felipe. Lucy y Jorge en Valencia Park y a mí en Como familia es nuestro deseo que ese Russell Parks Junior High. gran árbol de Jacarandas en frente, en el Nuestra nueva casa en Fullerton, color jardín de la casa, siga floreciendo y rosa, con acabados cafés, con un patio escuchando las risas y música que sale enorme y un hermoso árbol de jacaran- desde hoy y siempre de la casa de “Papá das al frente, se convirtió en nuestro Miguel y Mama Eva.” hogar. Las calles de nuestro vecindario estaban siempre llenas de árboles que La Voz Latina is a Spanish/English cada otoño cambiaban sus hojas de color language column written by local volun- de acuerdo a la temporada. La ubicación teers that is meant to give voice to de la casa era perfecta para mi familia. Fullerton’s Spanish-speaking communi- Mi padre que trabajaba en el Home ty. Depot de Fullerton no tenía que manejar MID-MAY 2021 FEATURE FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 13

Historic stained glass window.

which continued throughout his long career but became more elaborate and ornate in style in the 1920s and 1930s. Walker later joined forces with Percy A. Eisen to establish the prolific and influ- ential architectural firm of Walker and Eisen (1919-1941). In 1987, the Whittier Narrows earth- quake and the aftershocks that followed caused extensive damage to the church. According to an article titled, “City Church is Vacated after Earthquake Damage Found,” by Jackie Brown for the Fullerton Star-Progress, the church’s upstairs balcony separated from the wall, wooden trusses in the ceiling came apart, cracks from the interior walls went through to the bricks outside, the chimney crumbled, and the west stained glass window suffered minor damage when the window frame bowed. The church on the corner of Pomona and E. Amerige is 112 years old. Fullerton city officials and structural engineers at the time studied the build- ing and originally estimated the cost to “American glass,” opalescent glass was repair the church and to bring it up to VIDEO OBSERVER produced and used in America in both code would be approximately $500,000, by Emerson Little © 2020 secular and ecclesiastical buildings. and ordered the building to be vacated. This church is the only building in The congregation was allowed to hold Fullerton that features opalescent glass. one final service on October 18, 1987 Oldest Remaining Church in The building’s exterior remains and was asked to decide whether it remarkably unchanged. The tower was wanted the building demolished or Fullerton Has Historic Past originally intended to house the bell restored. According to a March 29,1988 from the Methodist’s original 1893 article in the Los Angeles Times by Kirk Rapidly constructed in seven months Gothic Revival design characteristics church, which had grown too small for Jackson, titled “They’re Halfway Home: in 1909, the building on the corner of include a pitched gable roof, obtuse its membership and was razed. Concert’s Proceeds Go Toward Pomona and East Amerige has served angle arched windows and doorways, However, it was thought that the ringing Repairing Church Damaged by Oct. 1 the needs of three different religious hood molding, a battlement tower, of the bell would disturb patients at the Earthquake,” members of the congrega- congregations over the years. When the crenellation, stained glass, tracery, and nearby Fullerton General Hospital, so tion, unwilling to give up the historic building was dedicated on November engaged buttresses. The building also the bell was donated to the Wintersburg structure, raised $350,000 to restore and 21, 1909, it was considered to be “the contains minor, Church, according to an retrofit the building. The California finest most modern edifice in the unusual touches of the unpublished paper by F.R. State Office of Emergency Services pro- Holcomb and Mrs. William County,” featuring electric lights, a Craftsman style, pres- vided two grants ($98,000 and $11,500), back-up generator (an “independent gas ent in its square Starbuck, titled, “A History the Fullerton Redevelopment Agency plant”), telephone connections, and a wooden windows, When the building of the Methodist Episcopal supplied an interest-free $75,000 reha- 12- by 15-foot furnace room in the base- wood trim, board and was dedicated on Church of Fullerton, bilitation loan, and fund-raising activi- ment designed to heat the entire build- batten interior, and November 21, California from 1888- ties netted an additional $70,000. 1937,” available through ing, according to local newspapers at the original furnishings.” 1909, it was To preserve the historic look of the time. Ventilation and cooling were pro- These touches add an the Fullerton Public building, the congregation hired Melvyn vided by transoms, fans, and in the case element of charm and considered to be Library’s Local History Green of Manhattan Beach, a seismo- of the auditorium, two windows within freshness to the tradi- “the finest most Room. graphic expert, as structural engineer the larger west stained glass window. tional style of the modern edifice The reddish-brown bricks and architect on the project. James seen on the outside of the According to the city of Fullerton’s church. in the County.” McDowell and Company, a contracting website, “The Methodists erected the Inside the church, church were hand-crafted firm based in Arcadia, completed the church in 1909 at a cost of approximate- there are two stained by the Simons Brick major structural work. Church member ly $20,000. When the Methodists built glass windows, one Company in Los Angeles. Carroll Avery served as contractor for their present church across the street in on the west side and It was often featured on the interior and other cosmetic recon- the late 1920s, they sold the property to another at the north old postcards and promo- struction. Because the church is a Local the Seventh Day Adventist Church, end in the balcony. Of opalescent glass, tional literature mailed to the east coast. Historic Landmark, The Secretary of which occupied the building until 1964. the windows are noted for their deep, The building’s standing in Fullerton and Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation The Methodist Church took ownership a rich coloring. According to the National the north Orange County community were followed during the restoration and second time with the intention of demol- Register of Historic Places Registration was enhanced by the fact that every- retrofit, which preserved the property’s ishing the building to use the property as form, “Archival church documents indi- thing associated with the church, from historic integrity. The church was a parking lot. That endeavor proved too cate that artist Joseph McKay of Los the architect to the builder to the mason- reopened in June 1989, and aside from expensive, so the property was again Angeles designed the stained glass win- ry came from the more cosmopolitan the loss of the brick chimney in the 1993 sold, this time to the First Church of dows, but there are no records of the art Los Angeles. Early Fullerton buildings Northridge earthquake, has suffered no Religious Science.” glass firm responsible for their produc- were usually designed by local builders damage from later earthquakes. This historic local landmark exhibits tion and installation.” or architects, such as Frank Benchley, The historic 112-year-old church on many features reflecting the New In 1909, Los Angeles had only two and the use of a Los Angeles architect the corner of Pomona and East Amerige England roots and the British heritage of stained glass firms – W. H. Judson Art was unusual for the period. is now a space occupied by the Holy the Methodist minister who commis- Glass Company (later the Judson The church was designed by famed City Bethesda Full Gospel Church. To sioned construction of the building. It is Studios) and L.A. Art Glass – and crafts- L.A. architect Albert R. Walker who see a video of the local landmark, please one of two structures in the City men from Judson Studios, who currently also designed hundreds of buildings that visit www.fullertonobserver.com and designed in the Gothic Revival style. maintain the windows in the church, changed the Los Angeles skyline, and is click on the tab labeled “Local.” According to the building’s National have identified the building’s decorative credited with starting the City’s west- Underneath that tab, click on “Emerson Register of Historic Places Registration art glass windows as probably being ward development along Wilshire Little YouTube Channel,” which will form, courtesy of the Fullerton Public crafted by L.A. Art Glass. Boulevard. take you directly to my page. Library’s Local History Room, “The Also referred to as “art glass” and The church is reflective of Walker’s early fondness for Gothic architecture, Page 14 FULLERTON OBSERVER ARTS MID-MAY 2021

“Shades of Us” “Made in California” @ MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER @ BREA ART GALLERY 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton www.themuck.org (714)738-6595 1 Civic Center Cir, Brea (714) 990-7730 www.breaartgallery.com

Artist Eloy Torrez Every year, this juried exhibit show- will be required of all staff and visitors. explores the ideas of cases artwork from all over the state of Through June 18. Visitors can learn “us” and “we” through California and highlights artists in all about future exhibitions and workshops his subjects. In this stages of their careers and offers them a at breaartgallery.com or by following exploration Torrez chance to compete for a number of the gallery on Facebook, Instagram, and delves into the person- awards, including the coveted solo show Twitter @breagallery. alities and diverse opportunity. “Made in California” is Open hours are Wednesday through make up of his painted open to the public. There was no open- Sunday, 12pm – 5pm. For more infor- guests. Guest curated ing reception this year. Masks, social mation, call (714) 990-7731 or visit by Jimmy Centeno. distancing, and other safety measures www.breaartgallery.com. Through July 1. Gallery is open Monday–Thursday, 12- 4pm. $5/group. Reservations required. “Comic Reading” Available only for pri- @ MAVERICK THEATER vate viewing. AltaMed employees 110 E Walnut Ave, Fullerton and their parties may (714) 526-7070 have their admission www.mavericktheater.com charge waived by showing their employ- “Comic Reading” is a radio-style ee badge. show with six actors reading live from three issues of The Amazing Spider-Man written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Portrait by artist Eloy Torrez. John Romita, Jr. Read by Maverick actors with project- “JUST FOOD” ed comic art, 60s theme music, and live foley sound effects. Open to all ages. @ FULLERTON COLLEGE ART GALLERY $10 admission. $8 Students with ID 321 E. Chapman Ave (1000 Bldg) and kids 13 and younger. Show opened April 30 and runs for 4 weeks, on Fri. The artists in this virtual exhibition address these issues: creating a just food sys- Sat. and Sun. tem, honoring the Earth, valuing the work of those producing our food, respecting food sovereignty, and ensuring that everyone has enough. Featuring work by: Jackie Amézquita, Sula Bermúdez-Silverman, Narsiso Martinez, Nikki McClure, Sara Rosenblatt, Chip Thomas. Through May 21. The Gallery is currently closed, how- Jazz Festival ever you may access the show virtually at fcjustfood.myportfolio.com. @ MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton www.themuck.org (714)738-6595

Yorba Linda Celebrates the Arts with Festival Eclectic, cutting-edge, and contem- tickets for this event, you are agree- porary, The Muck’s Jazz Festival ing to The Muck’s health and safety returns in Spring of 2021. Ticket guidelines. No tickets will be sold at Celebration of the Arts and Music throughout the park. This family-friend- Information: $150/Jazz season pass; the door. Tickets from the Spring Festival in Yorba Linda is a fine arts, ly event is free to the public and parking $35/performance. Season Pass 2020 Jazz Festival will automatically crafts, and music festival suitable for all is also free. includes six live Jazz concerts (No be rolled over to the Spring 2021 Jazz ages. This year it will take place Sun, This event will follow current member discounts available). All Festival. If you have any questions, Jun 6, starting at 11am at Hurless Barton COVID-19 protocols, including wearing events will be held in The Muck’s email [email protected]. Below is a Park (4601 Casa Loma Ave, Yorba masks and social distancing, per current outdoor amphitheater. By purchasing lineup of performances: Linda). It is co-sponsored by the Yorba Department of Health guidelines for out- Linda Arts Alliance Foundation, and the door events. City of Yorba Linda Parks & Recreation This is a FREE event in a large area, LA Jazz Quartet, feat Barbara Morrison Group Department. but it is highly recommended that atten- Larry Koonse May 27 @ 7:30PM

Dozens of artists will exhibit and sell dees pre-register in order to avoid over- May 20 @ 7:30PM The Muck's favorite legendary their paintings, sculptures, ceramics, crowding situations. voice, Barbara Morrison, brings her jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, It is suggested that you state the time A staple of LA jazz, this Quartet rich unique, soulful, three and a half mixed-media, and photography. There is you plan to attend, which will enable us made up of some of LA's finest, is octave range back to the stage. also live entertainment in the park to practice social distancing throughout joined by acclaimed jazz guitarist amphitheater. the event. For more information call Larry Koonse. Food is available for purchase and (714) 996-1960 or visit www.artsyl.org. Josh Johnson and there is picnic-style seating available Bill Cunliffe and Group, Holophonor Jun 3 @ 7:30PM Jun 10 @ 7:30PM

Grammy-winning Jazz pianist Bill The members of Holophonor met Cunliffe reimagines Oliver Nelson’s in 2012 after being selected to attend beloved, classic album with “Blues the prestigious Thelonious Monk and the Abstract Truth, Take 2.” Institute of Jazz at UCLA. ID AY M -M 2021 ARTS FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 15

HITS & MISSES by Joyce Mason © 2021

The Father: Two Hits

A student showcases his knowledge at last year’s FSD Fest. FSD FEST Showcases Student Projects

The public is invited to join a week- • Innovation Experience celebrates long virtual showcase of Fullerton innovative activities in schools across School District student projects. Now in the District. The videos showcase inno- its third year, FSD FEST is an annual vation and resilience in teachers, stu- student conference celebrating many of dents, and staff members. the learning experiences that are ongo- • League of Literacy is a reading ing in the District. competition for 3rd and 4th grade stu- FSD FEST includes multiple compo- dents that will feature individual and nents, each highlighting different areas team experiences. Students are encour- of student passions: aged to participate in the league that • The Passion Agents Conference enhances creativity and teamwork, features 5th and 6th grade students who while juggling books. deliver conference-style and poster ses- • Civic Endeavors is an opportunity sion presentations on the topics they for 6th through 8th grade students to Anthony Hopkins stars in “The Father.” have been researching. “pitch” their best ideas and business • Spotlight Speakers features 6th plans for projects that make positive grade students taking the stage to inspire changes in their communities. The April Academy Awards ceremony will be moving to Paris and can no others to explore and share their pas- FSD FEST begins with a daily kickoff was somewhat upended by the Oscar for longer see him daily, he chides her, sions. at 9am beginning on Monday, May 17 Best Actor not going to the expected “You’re abandoning me; what will • The FSD Film Festival includes and culminates on Friday, May 21 at winner Chadwick Boseman (although become of me?” Also, in one of the categories of Public Service 8:30pm with the FSD FEST Central he was honored with a posthumous trib- film’s lighter moments, he tells Anne, Announcement/Documentaries, Show. Be sure to tune in and share in the ute to his acting career). Instead, the “You don’t want to move to Paris. They Biography, Stop Motion/Animation, FSD student showcases and experiences treasured statuette went to Anthony don’t speak English in Paris.” Live Action Comedy or Drama, and this year. The FSD FEST schedule, Hopkins, whose role as the father in the Later, Paul (Mark Gatiss) enters the Instructional Film, and showcases the along with additional program informa- film of that name was so convincing and flat, and when Anthony rails with vigor work of students in Pre-school through tion is available at https://bit.ly/fsdfest- so indelible that the movie would not and hostility about never leaving his 8th Grade. website and the livestreamed event can have worked without his commanding flat, Paul calmly responds that Anthony • The eSports competition, for stu- be accessed at https://bit.ly/fsdfest2021. presence. has already left his own flat and is now dents in 4th through 8th grades, features For more information, contact Wes “The Father” is based on a play by living in his and Anne’s apartment. We Fruit Ninja League, Fingers of Fury, and Kriesel, Director—Innovation and French writer Florian Zeller, who also begin to notice slight differences in the Multiplication and Division Masters Instructional Support—at (714) 447- wrote the screenplay with the aid of color of the tile in the two kitchens, pic- competitions. 7555. British playwright Christopher tures hanging on walls, and furniture Hampton. In the French play, the father placement. Writer Zeller approximates is named Andre, but in the translated the confusion in his protagonist’s mind film version, he bears the name of the by playing with the audience’s percep- actor who plays him, Anthony (pro- tions as well. nounced with a hard t). Most of the As Zeller moves back and forth in movie takes place in a London flat time, confusing the audience with char- where Anthony resides and where a late acters and events from the past and pres- afternoon glow provides much of the ent, he is approximating for us the con- lighting. Anthony, imperious in fusion that Anthony experiences as he demeanor, has just fired the last of sev- lives in the past as much as he lives in eral caregivers. the present. There are scenes where a In his mid-eighties, Anthony displays younger Anne is played by a youthful signs of a gradual descent into dementia Olivia Williams, and scenes where Paul manifested by memory loss as well as is played by Rufus Sewell. Characters spouts of distrust and hostility. He has are scrambled in time and space and just accused Laura (Imogen Peets), his association. Laura reminds Anthony of last caregiver, of stealing his watch, a his younger daughter who was an artist scenario that has occurred in the past but but has died many years earlier in an has never been the fault of the caregiver, accident. We are never certain what only the result of Anthony’s increasing happened to her but Anthony’s confused forgetfulness. Entering his apartment at mind is having trouble recalling events, this point is his patient and loving especially traumatic and sad occur- daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman). rences. Anne gently reminds her father that What does Hopkins bring to the role Assisteens Erin Yi, Halie Sung, Emily Burger, Leoni Nguyen, Rebecca Taylor, he must be kinder and more patient to of a rambling old man dealing with a Malia Preciado, Megan Quinn, and Zoey Afram were recognized his caregivers, otherwise, she will have world and a reality that are increasingly for their community service. to find another solution for his care. The beyond his grasp? This distinguished alternative of placing Anthony in an actor has portrayed on stage and on tel- Assisteens Recognized for institutional residence is never spoken evision a classic King Lear, who, like aloud but he rails against it saying that Anthony, is railing against a world no Community Service he will never leave his flat and he longer within his power to comprehend doesn’t need anyone to look after him. or control. But when Anne tells her father that she The Fullerton Assistance league held demic, giving back to several organiza- senior presents/medallion dinner for tions in need. To learn more about the their graduation senior class of 2021. Assistance League and the Assisteens TWO HITS: Don’t Miss it! The Assisteens did 1,300 hours of com- program call (714) 525-1041 or visit A HIT & A MISS: You Might Like it. munity service during the global pan- www.assistanceleague.org/fullerton. TWO MISSES: Don’t Bother. Page 16 FULLERTON OBSERVER COMMUNITY VOICES MID-MAY 2021

Fullerton Green, then moves to Light Blue. Out of My Mind Seemingly the high degree of color bserver specificity (“light”) makes up for the O by Jon Dobrer © 2021 vagueness as to what it means and how we should respond. However, it’s nice to The Fullerton Observer Community Newspaper, founded by Ralph and have a Light Blue on our spectrum. Natalie Kennedy, Roy and Irene Then, in a manner far too predictable Kobayashi, and other friends in 1978, is and cliched, Texas just goes to the old staffed mainly by local volunteers who Clear Confusion on Color Codes stand-bys: Yellow, Orange, and Red. create, publish, and distribute the paper If people are confused by this moving throughout our community. The color coding for our various dan- palettes of panic! mosaic, and they are, it’s little wonder. This venture is a not-for-profit one- With multiple standards, our states can’t revenues are plowed back into maintain- gers is making me turn Purple with frus- The CDC is neither the first nor the ing and improving our independent, non- tration, and I’m definitely seeing Red. last word in color coding. They offer really communicate with each other or partisan, non-sectarian community news- I’ve been wanting to write about the Dark Green as the lowest level with the the Federal Government. The CDC gave paper. Our purpose is to inform Fullerton kaleidoscopic confusion our various least risk, meaning “So just get on with out a set of behaviors and then its head residents about the institutions and other governmental agencies are creating, but your life.” Then the fear factor darkens made different recommendations. This societal forces which most impact their was explained by saying that the head lives, so that they may be empowered to I’ve been Yellow. However, having to, well, Dark Green. This suggests a shared my befuddlement with trusted response of mild anxiety. Yellow was speaking personally and not offi- participate in constructive ways to keep cially. Not helpful! and make these private and public entities editors, I’ve been given the Green light informs us that there’s virus in the air serve all residents in lawful, open, just, to go ahead. Understanding our various but we can limit self-medicating with In the beginning of the COVID catas- and socially-responsible ways. Through and varying color codes is as easy as it is alcohol and drugs. Orange is a higher trophe having different standards might our extensive coverage, we seek to pro- to find a rhyme for Orange. threat, so be sure to mask, stay outdoors have made some sense. The virus was mote a sense of community and an appre- This visual cacopho- and marinate yourself very concentrated in a few specific ciation for the values of diversity with urban regions. It hadn’t yet migrated which our country is so uniquely blessed. ny started post 9/11 in high alcohol disin- with colorful threat fectants. Red is at the like snowbirds to Florida and was absent ______from Buzzard’s Breath, Arkansas and levels that no one top of the peril scale. 10,000 issues of the Fullerton Observer understood. We had Our individual You should stay home. Turkey Crotch, Idaho. Now it’s truly a are distributed throughout Fullerton no idea of how afraid states have separate Don’t hug the kids or pandemic, which means it’s everywhere and sent through the mail to subscribers we should be or what grandkids and please and any place now that’s relatively safe every two weeks except only once to do with our fear. color codes. recite state-mandated could become Red or Purple tomorrow. in January, July & August. Some have only Yes, we need color codes because “See something, say prayers. something,” seemed three colors Okay. That seems nothing is simply black and white, but HOW TO SUBSCRIBE can we all agree on one standard, with Subscriptions are $35 per year. unconstitutionally (perhaps to save on almost coherent, but Sign up and pay with Credit Card at vague. See what? Say consistency being the one set of metrics, with concomitant www.fullertonobserver.com what and to whom? color printing). hobgoblin of small recommended responses? Don’t hold or by check with name & address to: What were the metrics Others have from minds, many states, your breath till you turn Red or possibly Fullerton Observer, PO Box 7051, of threat? The including California, Purple. Fullerton CA 92834-7051 four to six colors Department of on their palettes just need things to be ______Homeland Security of panic! more complicated and wasn’t saying. confusing. We have HOW TO ADVERTISE The colored warn- Yellow, which is mini- Call 714-525-6402, or email ings were based on mal danger, and you HOW TO VOICE [email protected] “chatter,” whatever can go out in small YOUR OPINION or visit us online at that meant. Colors groups and go inside in www.fullertonobserver.com ______were changed by smaller groups and, if The Community Opinion anonymous people in alphabet soup vaccinated, almost live with the normal pages provide a free forum for SUBMISSIONS: agencies according to unknowable crite- fears of our crazy State. You know… the community. The Observer ria. Red meant Time to Panic! Orange fire, flood, plague, earthquake, and our Submissions on any topic of interest welcomes letters on any subject are accepted from Fullerton residents. called out Be Afraid! Yellow seemed to heavily-armed fellow Californians. Red of interest. Opinions are those We strive to get something about mean Who Knows? And we never saw means Red Alert! It’s bad. There are of the writer. We must verify everything in but shorter pieces do have Green. viruses everywhere, a “shelter-in-place” your identity, but we allow ini- a better chance of getting in. Without metrics or useful responses, order could come at any time so, panic Email: [email protected] many of us translated Yellow as suggest- shop, hoard toilet paper, canned goods, tials only and town to be printed ______ing a glass of wine. Orange called for and food stuffs that are less perishable if desired, or anonymous in Bourbon with a beer chaser, and Red than we are. But know this—things can print if a reasonable case can be • STAFF• made as to why that is neces- • EDITOR: Jesse La Tour was beer, wine, and bourbon, along with still get worse. The highest level of •CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER: Mehul Desai a couple of Xanax. If we couldn’t under- State-promulgated fear is Purple. Why sary. Opinions sent to us with- •ADVERTISING: Saskia Kennedy stand or handle the levels of peril, per- purple? Who knows? This sorry state of out name, address and phone •REPORTERS: Matthew Leslie, haps we could numb ourselves and miss affairs makes self-evident just why we number will not be printed. Due Jane Reifer, Judith Kaluzny, Armageddon. hoarded all that toilet paper. to space issues shorter letters Lance Langdon, Grace Widyatmadja Now we have color-coded COVID New York only has three colors. have a better chance of getting • COPY EDITOR: Terry Hendricks warnings. Have we learned anything Minnesota also has three colors, but two • SPANISH COPY EDITORS: Guillermo in. Please add your contact and Melissa Trabado about communications or clarity? No. of them are different from New York’s. information so we can verify. • PROOF READER: Christine Romer Our individual states have separate color Green is good. Yellow is moderate, and Thanks! codes. Some have only three colors (per- Red naturally translates to “Bless your • DATABASE MANAGER: Mehul Desai • DISTRIBUTION: Irene Kobayashi, haps to save on color printing). Others heart, and prepare to meet your maker.” Marjorie Kerr, Leslie Allen have from four to six colors on their Texas, being Texas, starts with Light [email protected] •ROVING REPORTER: Jere Greene or mail to: • COUNCIL REPORT: Jesse La Tour Fullerton Observer, • DOWNTOWN REPORT: Mike Ritto PO Box 7051, • SCHOOL BOARD REPORTS: Jan Youngman & Vivien Moreno Fullerton CA 92834 •YOUTH EDITOR: Francine Vudoti •POLITICAL COMMENTARY: Jonathan Dobrer, Vince Buck •CROSSWORD: Valerie Brickey •PHOTOGRAPHERS: Emerson Little, Mike Ritto, Grace Widyatmadja, Jere Greene, and Gaston Castellanos •SCIENCE: Sarah Mosko •GARDENING: Penny Hlavac • MOVIE REVIEW: Joyce Mason Would you like to carry • THEATRE REVIEWS: Angela Hatcher the Fullerton Observer •VIDEO OBSERVER: Emerson Little Newspaper in your place Created & Published in Fullerton of business? by locals since 1978 Published by Fullerton Observer LLC Let us know by e-mailing [email protected] The early June 2021 issue will or calling 714-525-6402. hit the stands on May 31. SUBMISSION & AD DEADLINE: May 24. MID-MAY 2021 COMMUNITY VOICES FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 17

Editor’s Note: We received the fol- lowing submission from reader Leland Smith in response to the comic at right created by Erin, which appeared on the Young Observes page in our Mid-April issue. FENDER: Fullerton's Working Class Hero (Part 1)

Dear Erin,

I had been reminiscing about Mr. Fender when I saw your Fender: Fullerton’s Pride, graphic art [in the Mid-April Young Observers page]. Great job Erin! I enjoyed your fresh artistic flair and your gracious senti- ment. You are gifted beyond your years to have chosen Mr. Fender as your sub- ject. He certainly is the pride of Fullerton and should be remembered as such. Inspired by your work, I decided to write and tell you about Leo Fender, the human being that I knew. As a teen, I worked at Fullerton Music, the first store to sell a Fender guitar. It was there that I learned that Leo and I were both Leo Fender comic by Young Observer Erin. Fullertonites and I hoped that we would meet someday. That day arrived while I was teaching I altered a G&L guitar I owned and guitar at a store called “This Is Music.” installed G&L ‘Z’ coil pickups to Leo Fender and Dale Hyatt, Fender’s change the sound. Intrigued, Leo placed first salesman, were friends of Vern it on his workbench and struck across Esslinger, the store’s the strings in a Whap! owner. Vern introduced motion. The volume them to me as his friends made me leap up out of from G&L Guitars my seat! He said, let’s [Launched by Leo Leo’s greatest gift build you a guitar. I Fender in 1980]. The two was his ability to described my dream asked me to draw a gui- guitar to him and it tar headstock. After listen intently to turned out precisely as I drawing it, they asked others. Rarely had described it with the me to work at G&L and I taking part in headstock I had drawn. started the next day. discussions, he I realized then that Leo held short meet- Leo’s greatest gift was ings and, like peek-a- would sit quietly his ability to listen boo, he would silently in a corner and intently to others. raise his closed fists up listen artfully to Rarely taking part in to his nose and open his what was discussions, he would sit fingers to signal that the quietly in a corner and meeting was over. I being said. listen artfully to what loved it. was being said. This For a time, I was superpower, along with blessed to find myself at his trailblazing work lunch with Leo, Dale, and George ethic, propelled him through the Fullerton. Dale told thrilling stories of decades. I wonder Erin, what the world his time as a B-17 tail gunner in WWII. would be like if we all listened to each Every day, Leo would order pie and other. walk out the door. Dale would smile To be continued... saying lunch is over and on Fridays, Leo Leland Smith would return the stack of plates and Fullerton Leland Smith and Leo Fender circa 1991. PHOTO BY STEVEN BRADDOCK forks he had borrowed. Adorable.

OC Human Relations 30th Anniversary Virtual Celebration May 21 , 12-1pm

To register for this free event visit www.ochumanrelations.org/30th.

Take a look back at the accomplishments of OC Human Relations and learn about the vision for fostering open dialogue, acceptance and love in our community, now and always. Featuring keynote speaker John A. Powell, Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies, University of California at Berkeley. Listen to Professor Powell’s work on building an inclusive community and learn about the framework of belonging, based on the belief that there is no “other” and there is no “them.” Also featuring guest artist Amanda Lee Harris-Gibbs, capturing the spirit of “now and always.” And featuring guest artist Arielle Estoria. The acclaimed spoken word artist, speaker and author will perform an original piece expressing OC Human Relations’ 30-year impact. Page 18 FULLERTON OBSERVER TRIBUTES & NEWS MID-MAY 2021

Volunteers for Kids’ Sake, PTA, PTSA, much to the community as Alma did. Alma Louise Smith-Hall-Bean Make a Wish, Fullerton Federation of Nobody was like Alma and there will Republican Women, Legal Aid, never be another person like her. She Fullerton Methodist Church, Cub devoted her entire life to her family and On Tuesday May 4, 2021, Alma total to nine children. Family was the Scouts, and Girl Scouts. her community. The things she accom- Louise Smith-Hall-Bean, a long-term most important thing to Alma and it In 1985 the Fullerton Chamber of plished made such a difference in so resident of Fullerton, passed away at the always came first. She was a devoted Commerce named her “Fullerton many peoples’ lives. She brought out the age of 96. Alma first came to Fullerton mother with an extremely large family Woman of the Year,” paying tribute to best in people and made people try just a in 1935 when she was just 10 years old. and over time it just got bigger and big- and recognizing her for years of volun- little bit harder. Her compassion, accept- She was a strong, caring, and independ- ger. teer work in the community. Alma ance, and caring were unconditional. ent woman, always out-spoken and way As of October 2020, Alma had nine wasn’t just an active member in these She is proof that one individual can truly ahead of her time. She graduated from children, 23 grandchildren, and 30 great organizations, she served the on the make a difference and the world was a Fullerton High School, attended grandchildren. Besides raising a large Board of Directors as President, better place because she was here. She is Fullerton College, and graduated from family, Alma always worked full-time. Treasurer, Secretary, and any Executive so loved and will be truly missed. I am Whittier College. She was a schoolteacher, a legal secre- position she was asked to fill. She held so proud and honored that Alma Smith- After graduating from college Alma tary, and owner of several different busi- multiple positions in multiple organiza- Hall-Bean was my mother, and I will met, fell in love with, and married nesses over the years. She worked hard- tions at the same time. When she won always hold her close and dear in my Howard C. Hall, a journalism professor er than any person I have ever known. In the title of “Fullerton Woman of the heart. Alma is survived by her very large at Fullerton College. Together they built addition to raising her large family and Year” most of our family was shocked at family and Robert L. Bean, her husband their dream home on the hills right constantly working, Alma was an active how much volunteer work she did. She of 59 years. We love you, Mom. It’s time above the College. They had 5 children member and volunteer in Fullerton. She made it look easy and never complained. to relax and take a rest. You’ve earned it. and life was perfect. Then tragedy struck belonged to and volunteered for almost Nobody worked as hard and gave so unexpectedly in January 1961 when her every social organization and service husband Howard suffered a massive club in Fullerton. Her volunteer work heart attack and died at home. and dedication were constant and In 1962, mutual friends introduced incredible. She was extremely proud of Obituaries of up to 185 words and one photo are free to Alma to Robert L. Bean. He was a the work she did. She served in organi- divorcee with three children. They fell zations such as YWCA, Ebell, Rotary Fullerton residents. For more information call (714) 525-6402 in love and were married in 1962. They Club, Elks, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, or email [email protected]. had eight children in their combined Sonata Chapter of Orange County, family then had one more bringing the Women’s Transitional Living Center,

Grand Jury Continued from page 5 A list of the report’s principal findings included the failure of the County’s pan- demic plan to “adequately address” guidelines provided on state, national, and international levels. The County’s Emergency Operations Plan classified a pandemic as “unlikely,” leading to the HCA being underprepared, the report concluded. HCA did not manage to maintain a sufficient supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), usually defined as medical grade disposable face masks/respirators, goggles, gloves, and other attire worn by doctors and nurses to avoid exposure to pathogens. HCA reportedly caused PPE “to be held past the manufacturer’s recommended prod- uct life.” Though not cited in the report, before the pandemic was declared, HCA staff auctioned off expired face masks because their fasteners could potentially break. In the early days of the pandemic hospitals experienced critical shortages of masks for medical professionals, leading some to have to fashion makeshift substitutes or re-use the same pieces. The report faulted HCA directly for A chart illustrating that the OC Healthcare Agency's budget increased as it failed to adequately prepare for the COVID-19 failing to effectively use its resources to pandemic, as found in a report on the topic issued by the OC Grand Jury. close existing gaps in specific plans addressing public health emergency and hospital preparedness, and for not allo- led to high infection rates and deaths in cating its budget “relative to the likeli- many central OC ZIP codes. Reaching hood of pandemic planning and prepara- these disproportionately affected areas For the latest COVID-19 information, visit tion.” with tests, and later, vaccinations, According to the report, “The Grand became a high priority for the agency as www.ochealthinfo.com or call (714) 834-2000 Jury also observed that the agency did the virus spread rapidly through these not establish comprehensive communi- communities. HCA eventually contract- ty-based task forces that included offi- ed with non-profits who were better able cial threshold language communities in to contact these populations, but the Orange County. In addition, the County report faults the agency even so, for not did not have enough resources (facili- adopting recommendations by groups COVID-19 Deaths as of May 15 ties, materials, and personnel) to enact like Latino Health Access and other con- key parts of the emergency plan such as tracted organizations. handling urgent communications.” Not until September of last year did Global: 3,383,231 HCA was found to have inadequate HCA have a “well-structured and coor- United States: 599,863 facilities in place for effective commu- dinated mass vaccination plan” or a task nication during the pandemic and no force for the purpose, according to the California: 62,659 centrally-located media room. More report. By March 2021, residents with Orange County: 5,030 crucially, the report found that the limited English language proficiency agency was unable to reach all residents had received “only 18% of available Fullerton: 302 with limited English language capabili- vaccines,” resulting in a serious shortfall ties, a group said to comprise as much as in their percent of the overall population 45% of the County’s population, which vaccinated. TRIBUTE & NEWS MID-MAY 2021 FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 19 Short Term Rentals OUR TOWN CROSSWORD © 2020 Continued from page 7 ANSWER pressure was brought to bear on Council agement to excessive sound levels KEY members to reconsider the whole-house inside the home. More than one STR TO PUZZLE ban. owner spoke of having cameras “GOOD LUCK!” During the public hearing on May 4, a installed on site so they could check on on page 7: caller identifying himself as Fred activity remotely. Gaines of the Gaines & Stacey law firm One speaker was a housekeeper who claimed that the Council’s adoption of cleaned STRs and didn’t want to lose the whole-house ban amendment was work if the whole-house ban took effect, not legal and violated his clients’ mirroring a concern expressed by Constitutional rights of Equal UNITE HERE members who supported Protection under the law because they the ban so they would not lose work could not apply for an STR permit while cleaning hotels and motels. those who intend to rent under the Once thrown back open, the question home-sharing model could do so. This of whether or not to adopt the amend- PUZZLE MASTER claim was disputed both by another ment banning whole-house short-term Valerie Brickey caller representing UNITE HERE and rentals saw Council members divided was born in Councilmember Jung, who said use of across familiar lines, with Mayor Fullerton and such hyperbole could cause the public to Whitaker and Pro Tem Dunlap voting to returned to raise overreact. reject the amendment and throw out the her family here. Gaines, who said he represented 40 whole-house ban. Only Whitaker and She has been STR owners in Fullerton, also pointed Dunlap voted in the affirmative. Dunlap contributing out that union members called the whole- puzzles since 2014. and their lawyers who house STR rental ban urged the Council to “government over- adopt the whole-house reach and a total Union Pacific Trail ban during the meeting Council is expected infringement of prop- were citing their con- erty rights from the Continued from page 5 cerns about competitors to consider a new get-go,” and praised Tony is also the major funder of a with Whitaker. from STRs impacting amendment that property owners for political action committee (PAC) called “It’s like trying to put together a puz- their jobs in the hotel showing up to defend would limit Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform that in zle without having all the pieces,” industry, and not their rights. whole-house the last election cycle spent thousands of Dunlap said. “I’m willing to support this addressing the CEQA After that motion dollars for mailers, yard signs, and to receive the grants, but ahead of any issue, even though it was short-term rentals failed, 3rd District Facebook ads supporting the campaigns action we take we need to look at this in the basis of their threat- to 100 at the next Councilmember Jesus of Jung and Whitaker, and attacking conjunction with a bigger plan for that ened legal action. Silva moved to adopt meeting on May 18. their opponents. particular location.” Several UNITE HERE the amendment again. Councilmember Jesus Silva expressed Councilmember Fred Jung asked members spoke during He was supported by support for the Union Pacific Trail con- Parks and Recreation Manager Alice the meeting including the 5th District’s cept. “I think it’s going Loya if there is time one “lead organizer” who Ahmad Zahra, who to liven up that area between receiving the thanked the Council for noted in the April and maybe take it from grant money and the whole-house ban amendment on meeting that many STRs are concentrat- a hodgepodge of noth- deciding what to do behalf of “hundreds” of the union’s ed in his district. Fred Jung voted ing to something,” Parks and Rec with it. members who reside in Fullerton. She against both motions, although he had Silva said. Loya said yes, how- said that she herself had trouble finding supported the whole-house ban during Manager Alice Loya Jane Reifer said she ever, “if we change a home in the City, tying the scarcity of the first vote in April. This time Jung, said the City has wanted to know how what we do with the housing to the legality of STRs, which after noting that stakeholders all seemed this project fit into the plans to eventually grant money substan- take permanent housing stock out of the to “share in a lack of outreach from City City’s larger plan for continue the trail tially, we may have to market. “It does affect my workers,” staff,” advocated for a compromise that this area. “I have return the grant funds who can’t find places to live, she said. would limit whole-house rentals to no along the Union become very confused because it was award- “We are destroying the fabric of our more than 100 of the total 325 STRs Pacific right-of-way about projects in this ed based on the appli- neighborhoods.” Schools were also allowed. area. I hear there’s a all the way to cation that we submit- impacted by the lack of children living Zahra noted that a compromise had Rail District project, Imperial Hwy. ted with that concept in homes, she contended. already been struck, recalling that 800 then I hear there’s a plan.” Danielle Wilson thought it was “out- total STRs had previously been pro- second Rail District Prior to approval of rageous” of attorney Gaines to criticize posed. He said that the Council’s first project. I would like to the grant money, UNITE HERE for citing CEQA in their instinct should be to protect the City’s start understanding Whitaker asked Loya threatened legal action. The whole- housing stock. Mayor Whitaker object- how the pieces all fit how much the City house ban amendment, she said, would ed to individuals other than the property together,” she said. would have to spend on maintenance of protect 325 houses from becoming de owners themselves making decisions At a March 15 meeting, Fullerton’s the trail. She did not have an exact fig- facto hotels, a number representing over about their “housing stock,” and observ- Community and Economic Director ure but said it would be “a minimal half of the 600 affordable housing units ing that a “Solomon-like” decision Matt Foulkes presented information amount compared to how much we the City was attempting to build. would need to be made that would “rile about a Rail District “Specific Plan.” spend to maintain our parks.” Several STR homeowners present at both sides.” Council member Jung ulti- Bushala had previously proposed his Loya said the City has plans to even- the meeting, including Jimmy Hong, mately prevailed, with the Council own “Fullerton Rail District” plan. tually continue the trail along the Union complained that the City had not con- expected to consider a new amendment Fullerton Mayor Bruce Whitaker, who Pacific right-of-way that goes along the tacted them about the whole-house that would limit whole-house short-term “reluctantly” voted to receive the trail Bastanchury greenbelt all the way to rental amendment. He called those rentals to 100 at the next meeting on grant said, “What we’re looking at here Imperial. opposed to whole-house rentals a “vocal May 18. is something that needs to be part of a Whitaker gave direction for staff to minority.” Another also reported being Contacted by The Observer days after larger picture, in my mind.” bring back broader plans for that area at surprised by the ban, saying that over 5 the Council’s May 4 decision, Austin Mayor Pro Tem Nick Dunlap agreed a future meeting. years he had rented his home to over 30 Lynch, Organizing Director for UNITE different carefully-vetted families, and HERE Local 11, sent the following had never heard a complaint from statement: "We will continue to fight to neighbors. He suggested considering a protect long-term housing from conver- possible limit to the total number of sion into short-term tourist rentals. days a property could be rented to avoid While we regret that Councilmember corporations buying houses to rent out Jung reconsidered his initial support for as STRs, a practice he did not support. a ban on whole-home rentals, we are Ken Weeks, who owns an STR, went confident that we can work together to so far as to say that his rental home was find a solution that ensures that we can actually more neighborhood-friendly ultimately restore all the whole-home being rented out as a short-term rental rentals to use for long-term renters and than it would be if it were rented to owners, consistent with the law. Our long-term tenants. He said that his STR members are grateful to is operated by a professional retail com- Councilmembers Zahra and Silva for pany that arranges corporate rentals, and their tireless advocacy on behalf of even furnished the home. The company Fullerton residents.” Lynch also wrote installed sensors that would alert man- that legal action was still an option. Page 20 FULLERTON OBSERVER TRANSPORTATION MID-MAY 2021

Fullerton, Rail Town: Amtrak, the Postwar Decline of U.S. Railroads, and Federal Government to the Rescue

by Brian Yanity public subsidy. A particularly hard blow to the railroads was the loss of express On May Day 2021, Amtrak celebrated freight (parcel) and U.S. Postal Service its 50th anniversary as the national pas- shipments in 1967 when these shifted to senger railroad of the United States. trucks and airplanes. This article is part of an ongoing series By the end of the 1960s, U.S. railroads on the past, present, and future of rail- had been pushed into a severe financial roads in Fullerton and Orange County. crisis. The Penn Central was formed by The previous two articles in this series the merger of three major northeastern (in the Early September and Mid- railroads (the Pennsylvania, New York Santa Fe ‘streamliner’ train at Fullerton depot in 1955. September 2019 issues of The Fullerton Central, and New Haven) between 1968 Photo courtesy of Orange County Archives. Observer), introduced Amtrak as the and 1969 in an attempt to survive. allowing passenger trains to run on time In the end, Nixon decided that a federally-owned national passenger rail- However, the combined company soon or accommodating more of them. national passenger rail system needed to road that serves Fullerton, as well as the went bankrupt. At the time, this was the Federal law requires that the freight rail- be saved even if he himself (along with historic relationship between the U.S. largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. his- roads share their tracks with Amtrak and many others) had doubts that Amtrak government and the railroads up until tory. The collapse of the Penn Central provide dispatching preference to pas- would survive as a government-owned the mid-20th century. This article will led Congress to take action to restructure senger trains. In practice however, con- corporation for more than a few years. continue the history of railroads in the the railroad industry and save it from gestion of shared tracks has often led to Public opinion still favored keeping the U.S., and how Amtrak was created a financial ruin. In October 1970, delays and interruptions to Amtrak nation’s intercity trains, despite the fact half-century ago. President Richard Nixon signed into law trains, earning them a reputation for that the majority of the public was no In the years after World War II, rail- the Rail Passenger Service Act. This leg- chronic lateness. Amtrak is often longer riding them. Nixon did not want roads in America tried to compete with islation enabled railroads that operated blamed for its own unreliability despite to be remembered as the president who cars and airplanes by introducing faster (mostly unprofitably) intercity passen- much of it being the fault of the freight killed off the nation’s long-distance diesel “streamliner” locomotives and ger rail lines to turn the service over to railroads and their constrained infra- trains. He, in fact, had a lifelong love of trainsets like the one shown in the above the new National Railroad Passenger structure. On-time performance of trains that began while growing up in photo at the Fullerton depot in 1955. Corporation, allowing them to focus on Amtrak has improved somewhat over northern Orange County. His father However, they had little government freight business. The new federal pas- the past decade due to strengthening of Francis Nixon once worked as a motor- support to fund upgrades and mandated senger railroad, under the brand name the federal laws after a 2008 man on the Pacific Electric Railway’s safety systems. Railroads reduced Amtrak, launched service on May 1, Department of Transportation investiga- Whittier/La Habra/Yorba Linda line. speeds on most routes to a maximum of 1971. The first Amtrak train to arrive in tion of railroad dispatching practices. The young Richard occasionally would 79 mph due to requirements for auto- Fullerton that May Day morning was a At the end of 2020, the Federal Railroad ride the Pacific Electric Red Car matic train control for passenger trains San Diegan handed over from the Santa Administration issued a new rule estab- between his parents’ home in Whittier operated at 80 mph or higher following Fe Railway. lishing a minimum standard to measure and his aunt’s home in Fullerton, where a major 1946 accident in Illinois. At the beginning of the 1970s, the on-time performance by host railroads, he stayed while attending Fullerton Automatic train control is a safety tech- nation’s long-distance passenger trains which was unsuccessfully fought in the Union High School during his sopho- nology that has existed since the 1920s were saved but were still hindered by courts by freight railroads. But Amtrak more year. His early boyhood home in and was the predecessor to today’s many challenges. Of the 366 intercity continues to have difficulty sharing Yorba Linda was near a Santa Fe branch Positive Train Control being implement- passenger train routes that were previ- freight railroad lines to the detriment of track to the Olinda oil fields. As Nixon ed across the U.S. rail network. ously operated by U.S. railroads, passenger service. described in a speech to an audience of However, during the late 1940s and Amtrak continued only 184 routes and railroad men in Centralia, Illinois in after, private railroad companies did not those it consolidated and cut to a much 1960: want to spend the money for automatic smaller number. Frequency of train serv- The North Orange County “Right alongside our house ran a rail- train control for which the government ice on many lines was also reduced. boy who loved trains road track, and I used to hear the whis- provided no money. As a result, many Amtrak inherited problems such as President Nixon’s Transportation tles at night, and I used to think of all the U.S. rail passenger services were faster worn-out locomotives and passenger Secretary John Volpe and several key places those trains were going. And I in the 1940s than they are today. By con- cars, as well as run-down train stations U.S. senators (notably Vance Hartke of wanted to be a railroad engineer so that trast, aviation safety received extensive and yards suffering from poor mainte- Iowa) were strong advocates for main- I could travel through America and federal government support and fund- nance. Amtrak also initially received no taining a national passenger rail network through the world. I didn’t make that, of ing, especially after a major 1956 mid- railroad tracks or rights-of-way of its with federal support. Through most of course, but got to travel anyway. But air collision over the Grand Canyon. own and had to pay to run all of its pas- 1970, they urged Nixon to support the may I say to those who run the nation’s The lower speeds hurt the ability of pas- senger trains over tracks owned by Rail Passenger Service Act. However, railroads, ‘Remember, it’s a wonderful senger trains to compete with airplanes freight railroads. In the beginning, Nixon’s powerful domestic affairs advi- service you’re rendering.’” (“Richard and cars. Amtrak operated trains using the rolling sor John Ehrlichman and other White Nixon: Rail Romantic” Trains Also, during the postwar period the stock and other equipment it had inherit- House aides were adamantly opposed to Magazine, November 1971) Interstate Commerce Commission con- ed from the various railroads' passenger federal support of passenger rail as well tinued to require railroads to provide operations. Before its red, white, and as public subsidy to railroads in general. Special thanks to Thomas White of passenger service and regulate their blue livery became widespread in the They almost succeeded in having Nixon VTD Rail Consulting for providing his- rates on routes deemed essential, but the mid-1970s, the variety of colors of loco- veto the Amtrak bill. Ehrlichman (who torical information and reviewing this federal government did little or nothing motives and cars used during its first would later go to prison for Watergate article. Upcoming articles in this series to financially assist rail service or infra- few years became referred to as the crimes) had effectively blocked any rail- in The Fullerton Observer will explore structure. The burgeoning automobile, “Rainbow Period” of Amtrak. road proposal from White House con- the past and present of the two Amtrak bus, aviation, and trucking industries did Despite being relieved of the financial sideration until the Penn Central bank- lines that serve Fullerton—the Pacific not have to operate under nearly as burden of providing passenger service, ruptcy forced some kind of action. Even Surfliner and the Southwest Chief— many regulatory constraints on their major U.S. freight railroads continued to after Nixon signed the legislation, the along with more recent history and cur- revenues. At the same time, these com- go bankrupt through the decade of the White House’s Office of Management rent challenges of Amtrak, in particular peting modes of transportation were 1970s. Federal railroad bailouts from and Budget nearly succeeded in elimi- the drastic drop in ridership and rev- having their extensive infrastructure acts of Congress in 1973 and 1976 led to nating all intercity passenger trains out- enues over the past year due to the pan- constructed by the government, and the the more comprehensive Staggers Rail side of the northeastern U.S. demic. use of this infrastructure was heavily Act of 1980. This legislation largely subsidized (especially so for trucking). established the business model of the Federal, state and local government U.S. rail industry as we know it today. It spending on highways, roads, and air- removed from the railroads most regula- ports exploded after World War II, and tion of shipping rates and operations. the Interstate Highway System began This deregulation encouraged mergers crisscrossing the nation. and consolidation of the freight railroads and freed them to focus on the most The 1960s U.S. railroad crisis profitable lines of business—long haul leads to federal action and bulk shipments. The Staggers Rail Act is widely credited with restoring Competition from cars, trucks, and profitability to the freight railroads and airplanes led to severe declines in rail reversing their historic loss of market passengers and freight shipments. These share to trucking. However, the rail- competing modes of transportation were roads’ pursuit of maximum profit in also receiving vastly greater amounts of freight hauling has often conflicted with