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Foothills Sentry


Tuesday, September 9, 2014 Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Parks District


Greg Bates In four years we have turned the


district around from suing others to working with them. This has helped us acquire over 650 acres of open space for which we are in final negotiations. We are invited to talk with nearby agencies to give input on what will help our community. By spending carefully we have


built our reserves and revital- ized our Silverado Children’s Center, making it the pre-K and after school program you’d want your kids and grandkids to attend. We are partnering with a home schooling group that is helping defray our costs and utilize our extra space. I am working to ex- pand our after school program to include tutoring, exercise and snacks for kids up to high school to help them with college and vo- cational plans and protect them from the “witching hour.” We have put on a holiday party


for the community at no cost to the district, and used our umbrella to provide a place for nonprofit groups to meet and have events that benefit the neighborhood. We need you to volunteer, we’ll


make even better programs and classes and the Silverado Chil- dren’s Center will bloom. Please vote Greg Bates.


Kevin Topp Kevin Topp grew up in Tustin,


and has been enjoying the Can- yons since he was five years old. A product developer, graphic designer and inventor, Topp has lived in Silverado since 1997. During that time he has listened and learned how to protect, pre- serve and enrich the Canyons’ unique way of life (and the defi- nition thereof). Now head of his own advertising agency, Topp has helped SMRPD with recre- ation brochures, advertising for the Children’s Center and partici- pated on its policy committee. He also took the lead on the commit- tee choosing a design for the new SMRPD logo. Topp is best known as the co-founder and assistant manager of the Silverado summer concerts. Now in its eighth year, the concerts’ price of admission is a can of food that is donated to a food bank to feed hungry families in the Canyons. Topp has been involved in a number of start-up companies, including one that developed the CD Stomper CD/ DVD labeling system. Topp also helped pioneer the new market of speakers for custom designed “Architectural Audio.” The Dog On Leash, DiscSaver and Clutter- Buster are also on his list of prod- ucts developed for retail.


will continue to: work coopera- tively with all stakeholders to im- prove our community; enhance programs for children and adults; improve the Modjeska Communi- ty Center, Silverado Community Center and Silverado Children’s Center; fight to protect our trails and open space; put our residents first in all decisions; ensure com- plete accountability with your taxpayer dollars. Please join my supporters in voting for Linda Kearns.


Linda Kearns I’m honored to serve as your Di-


rector for the Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District. I’m a businesswoman and registered nurse dedicated to serving our community. I serve on the board of direc-


tors of Laura’s House, a charity that supports and shelters women and children who are victims of domestic violence. I also volun- teer with the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Roost- ers Foundation, a charity that raises money for disadvantaged children. My commitment to serving others led to my work in nursing and my efforts as a vol- unteer helping domestic violence victims, hospitalized children, and disadvantaged youth. As a businesswoman, I know what it’s like to make a payroll and battle government red tape. If you return me as your direc-


tor for the Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District, I


Ron Shepston


I am honored to be your Sil- verado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District Director. I served our country in the United States Air Force, and worked my way through college while supporting a family of five. I’m a small businessman, father


of three, and Papa Ron to eight grandchildren. My wife and I are proud to call Silverado Canyon “home.” I understand our unique Canyon way of life, and I am dedicated to preserving our rural community. I’m proud of my record serving


on the SMRPD board: instrumen- tal in increasing district cash on hand from less than $45k to over $300k; initiated and managed the acquisition of 700 acres of open space and over $110k; restored a working relationship and the re- spect of the district with county organizations; restored a working relationship and the respect of the district with major environmental agencies. If re-elected to the Silverado- Modjeska Recreation and Park District, I’ll continue to: promote local control of local resources; work with all of our residents to promote unity in our commu- nity; continue to acquire open space and funding. This election is about all of us working to- gether in an atmosphere of trust and common purpose to make the canyons better.


grants, the recreation program was started and the Children’s Center received national recogni- tion. Johnson wrote SMRPD bud- gets, job descriptions and policies, and oversaw management of both community centers. At the same time, Johnson was president of the Inter-Canyon League, where her major accomplishment was managing the million-dollar re- lief effort after the Santiago Fire. Currently Johnson consults with Los Angeles schools on social service and education programs. She also is the unpaid CEO of Give A Child Life, a nonprofit helping save the lives of young children in Kenya and El Salva- dor. Johnson has a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Her SMRPD goal is for fair, friendly and re- spectful representation focused on the parks, community centers, open space and recreation.


Deborah Johnson Deborah Johnson, Ph.D., has


lived in the Canyon for more than 25 years. A nonprofit consultant, she has worked with local and international organizations and raised over $100 million to help people in need. From 2002 to 2008, Johnson served as vice pres- ident of the Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Parks District. While she was on the board, both community centers were re- modeled with sizable government


John Olson John Olson has been an Orange


County attorney for over 30 years. He holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV preeminent rating, signifying recognition by his peers for the highest level of professional ex- cellence and integrity. A former partner in two major law firms, he has handled complex business litigation involving class actions, corporate management, owner- ship disputes, real estate transac- tions, and contracts. He has also handled nearly 100 commercial and criminal appeals and been a volunteer fee arbiter for the Or- ange County Bar Association. Olson has extensive training and experience in dispute mediation. An avid hiker and gardener, Ol- son is a long-time supporter of environmental organizations. The father of three grown children, he has coached soccer and basket- ball, and frequently been a guest chef at the Laguna Beach Friend- ship Shelter. A Canyon resident over the past two years, Olson participated in canyon and flood clean-ups. Now special projects director for the nonprofit Give A Child Life, Olson has developed bag gardens to provide fresh veg- etables to low-income children and initiated a solar project us- ing recycled soda bottles to light homes in slums in Africa. He has also taught bag garden workshops to low-income children in south- ern California.


Lisa Collins I was honored to be elected as


your director for the Silverado- Modjeska Recreation and Park District in 2012. I love helping our community through recreation, communica- tion and community service. I co-produce Modjeska Nights and the Modjeska Ranch Rescue an- nual fundraiser. I developed and implemented the recreation pro- grams and quarterly newsletter for the district, putting over 30 new classes and activities in place for our community. I facilitated the mountain lion


lecture and hosted rattlesnake safety classes for over 70 dogs. I work with the Fire Safe Council, and have been closely involved in the evaluation and re- vitalization of the Silverado Chil- dren’s Center. If you return me to the Silverado-Modjeska Rec- reation and Park District Board, I will: develop more quality rec- reational activities benefiting our community; bring the Children’s Center to a financial status with- out use of taxpayer dollars; im- prove the safety of our play areas; update our community centers and parks; work as a team mem- ber to provide transparency and open, honest communication to bring our Canyons back together. I love this community and am committed to serving the Recre- ation and Parks District. Join my supporters; vote for Lisa Collins.


ing the state-funded renovation of the Silverado Community Center, the solar panel project, and the park’s recycled materials grant.


I


am familiar with bidding proce- dures and legal requirements for public projects. I have proven management skills to get things done, both administratively and “on the ground.” In addition to working for the SMRPD, I was past coordinator for our local Fire Safe Council and served as president of the Inter-Canyon League. My running mates and I want


Phil McWilliams


I’m Phil McWilliams and I’m running for the SMRPD. My wife and I are long time Canyon residents. I was grant manager for the SMRPD for many years, oversee-


There are three long-term seats and one short-term seat open on the SMRPD Board. Candidates for long-term positions are Greg Bates, Deborah Johnson, Linda Kearns, Phil McWilliams, Ron Shepston and Kevin Topp. Lisa Collins and John Olson are vying for the single short-term seat.


tion disappeared from elementa- ry schools several years ago, but the good news is that, come the second semester of the current school year, a music curriculum will return for the enjoyment of fifth and sixth grade students


in all elementary schools in the Orange Unified School District. To this end, and to assist those


who may find the purchase of an instrument does not fit the fam- ily budget, an instrument col- lection program is planned for Saturday, Oct. 11 at the four dis-


to get the SMRPD back to doing SMRPD business. We want to improve the facilities and land- scaping, and expand recreational activities. We want to end the internal strife on the SMRPD Board, heal community divisions and move forward. Parks and Recreation should be about kids, dogs and fun, not controversy, anger and personal agendas. The team of Topp, Olson, Johnson, and McWilliams will listen to the community and set things right. We appreciate your vote!


Instrumental music to return to schools Instrumental music instruc-


trict high schools (Orange, Villa Park, El Modena and Canyon) from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring unused musical instru-


ments to these collection points and know that a new student will benefit from your dona- tion.


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