1993, 01-15[Icon]

Property of Fullerton Public Library, Local History Room Community and Fine Arts Calendars p. 7-10 JAN 13 1993 PLEASE RETURN TO MAIN DESK FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ^FULLER I Oim i-U£) y g 353 W. COMMONWEALTH AVE. k 1 ■u e - FULLERTON, CA 92632 Fullei l u l l Observer Spooked Council Council Member Members Questions Cave to City Sale of Warnings of Confiscated City Guns Liability By Jack Harloe Only Councilmember Recent revelations by the Los Angeles Times concerning differing gun disposal Nor by Votes to Save policies and practices among Orange County cities’ police departments prompted the Gilman Park Slide, as Fullerton Observer to inquire into Fullerton’s current procedures. it Goes Down 4-1, According to the Times, “police de Former Fullerton resident, Roxanne Kennedy Bowdoin of Honey Dew, Cali partments in Anaheim, Buena Park, West Demolition to Start fornia is helping her niece, 2nd-graderat Rolling Hills Elementary School, minster, Tustin, San Clemente, Brea and Ariana Varela Kennedy, leave her mark at the middle of Harbor Blvd. m Irvine are among those that destroy most Immediately downtown Fullerton, during recent First Nite Fullerton celebration. confiscated weapons. Departments in Fullerton, La Habra, La _________By Jack Harloe_________ to be obtained —possibly from newcomer with a twenty minute address on the perils of Palma. Placentia, Santa Ana andCostaMesa v from geC-’-jg out of b~d in J.v LiKe a ship wallowing rudderless in heavy Councilmember Julie'Sa, who alas could are among those where officials sell at least morning to sliding down the Gilman Pipe. seas, the City Council on December 15 only say, “It hurts to let something go after some of their confiscated weapopns to gun grappled with the issue of Fullerton’s Gil 14 years”. dealers.” man Park. Finally, to continue our metaphor, But Mayor McClanahan, not noted for “We have to be cognizant of “In some cities, most confiscated guns are it ran itself aground on the Park’s infamous past tenacity in consensus formation, de liability, but we can’t let it be a destined to be melted or pummeled into slide, rather than jury rigging a rudder and clined to lead on the issue, and instead joined policy determinant.” unrecognizable heaps of steel by law en sailing for the safe harbor of the award the “good ole boys,” Councilmembers Catlin Councilmember Chris Norby forcement officials who believe that all guns winning park. and Bankhead, and the reluctant Council- involved in crimes should be destroyed,” the What started out as simply park neighbors’ member Sa, in opposition to the slide’s con In general, Tanguay explained, complain Times noted. “But other police departments concerns over loud, nocturnal parties by tinued existence. ants assert lack of supervision by the city [of opt to resell or trade confiscated weapons in “young adults,” a policing issue, has been City officials were unsure how to accom park slide activities] but the city, in turn, may exhange for money, new police firearms or guided adroitly by city staff into a largely plish the slide removal, but were told to work cross complain of lack of parents’ supervi spare parts.” fictitious, mega-million dollar liability con with park neighbors on adding new play sion of their minor children. cern over potential injuries to users of the ground amenities to the park. Tanguay noted that the design of the slide Gilman Park slide. Park neighbors, who had been interested itself is not a danger unless it is improperly “We’ve got to drawing the line The slide’s liability, which served as a from the beginning in gaining a clarification used. And the city could always use the somewhere, and it might as well from the city as to its policies with respect to “assumption of risk” doctrine, which asserts lightning rod for city action, has never been be right here in our own city. the primary concern of most park neighbors, overall park maintenance, failed to receive that users of playground facilities do so with except for minor questions of maintenance such guidance and left the council session full knowledge that there is risk. The city is Every gun destroyed is a gun of the structure, and tidying up the cardboard with the question of future maintenance of self-insured, however, for the first$2 million that will never be used again.” Gilman Park unresolved. of any claim, Tanguay warned. left by users. Primary neighbor concerns -- Councilmember Buck Catlin were overall City neglect of park mainte Contacted later by the Observer, city City attorney Kerry Fox pointed out that nance, and late-night, unruly conduct of maintenance director Bob Savage indicated “assumption of risk” doctrine would still that he would welcome working with a require the city to undergo the expense of Fullerton’s 10 year old policy simply young people who like to congregate there stated is: It sells all guns it acquires which on warm summer nights. neighborhood group to plan and coordinate defending itself in court. meet legal requirements, and arranges for the It was clear that a middle ground still re maintenance actions in Gilman Park. Tanguay told the council that the city’s destruction of those which do not. mained in the form of a six month hold Savage told the Observer that the city had liability has increased because of public tes spent $55,000 on Gilman Park landscape and timony about the slide’s dangers. Among 4 of the 5 city councilmembers placed on slide use while the city considered there appears to be little difference of opin its alternatives. “I was interested in some equipment maintenance in 1991-92. “Far In 14 years of of the slide’s existence, more than any other park,” Savage noted. however, only .4 cases involving injuries ion over the wisdom of the existing policy. kind of middle approach,” Mayor McCla- Councilmember Buck Catlin’s views, nahan told the audience. Councilmember Paula Tanguay, the city’s risk manage have been reported. These resulted in only ment officer, perhaps unwittingly, perhaps one claim being filed against the city —on however, portray the depth of feeling lying Norby, who had already expressed opposi behind this issue. When contacted by the Ob- tion to slide removal, also indicated interest not, put the coup de grace to the Gilman Park November 10, for $4,168 for a boy whose in this approach. Only a third vote remained slide as she responded to Council questions Continued on p. 4 Continued on p. 11 MORE INSIDE Spotlight on Parents Unwittingly Attack Cure of Their Problem Page 3 Laguna Road GAIN Program Helps Students Gain Employment Page 12 School Lemon Park Clothing Giveaway in Jeopardy Page 14 Page 5 Decision on Closing of High School Campuses Page 16 Bulk Rate Commentary Page 3 About Fullerton Page 6 FULLERTON OBSERVER CAR-RT Sort U.S. Postage PAID Calendars Page 7-10 POST OFFICE BOX 7051 Permit No. 1577 Classifieds Page 15 FULLERTON, CA. 92634 Fullerton, Ca. Obituaries Page 16 Property of Fullerton Public Library, Local History Room Page 2 FULLERTON OBSERVER NEWS January 15, 1993 i----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 |— i----------------------------------------------------------------- - ..... Council Doings... The City Council met in a regular af of how the plan would be administered. ternoon and evening session on Tues day, December 15th. Assessment District Formed for Pro posed UNOCAL 474 Single-family Norby Opposes Affordable Housing Units North of Rolling Hills Drive. Implementation and Funding Plan. Amid concerns expressed by some coun- Councilmember Chris Norby was the cilmembers that they were committing only councilmember to vote against future, as yet unnamed and unknown adoption by Fullerton of its housing plan home buyers to assessment fees they for low-income persons and families, might not appreciate, the city council (because he opposed the way the Project okayed formation of a “financing dis Area 4 lawsuit was settled). trict” in east Fullerton. The district will Recently the city lost a lawsuit, encompass 474 homes on 164 acres. It brought by Fullerton residents, compel will pay for the grading and construction ling it to spend Redevelopment Agency of Placentia Avenue, widening of Roll funds from Area 4 for the funding and ing Hills Drive, 2000 feet of storm drain expenditure of a 20% tax increment set- facilities and relocation of a major trunk aside housing fund, as required by state sewer line, and/or maintenance and redevelopment law. operation of public infrastructure facili Historic bicycle restoration buff, Rob Kuenne, eschews traditional home The plan contains housing affordabil ties required as part of the approved ity requirements, objectives, and im Unocal development plan. A prelimi decorations of the season in favor of unique bicycle display at his North plementation programs. The plan also nary estimate of the cost of improve Fullerton home. identifies additional staffing positions ments is $3.8 million. necessary to implement the plan. The Future home buyers will have the op major implementation activities de tion of paying the assessment fee at the scribed in the attached plan are a Devel time the unit is purchased or in install oper Assistance Program for 400 rental ments over a period of years. By our units and First-Time Home Buytr arithmetic the fee will amount to Down Payment Assistance Program for $8,016.87 per home. The Council will 100 units; both over the next 6 years.. set dates for public hearings on the mat Joan Cohen, president of the League of ter. Women Voters of North Orange County, read a statement supporting the Without Fanfare or Discussion, City proposed city action in whichshe noted: Redevelopment Agency Files its 1991- “In evaluating any proposed plan of 92 Annual Report with the State.

Load more