Tuesday, April 7, 2015
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Red zone ruckus Dear Editor:
The public outcry about stu- dents, Little
Leaguers, soccer
players, and the resultant traf- fic they cause, saddens me. Villa Park is a young city, merely 52 years old, not a Leisure World for retirees. Yes, we want our se- nior residents to be safe and feel comfortable. They raised their families here, contributed to the city picnic, formed the Women’s League, took their children
Why not embrace the new families? Ask their names, tell them about the flowers in your front yard so that they have a respect for you and your home. Engage them in conversation about school or the game they are about to play. Positive influence is addicting and rewarding. These students just might grow up and want to come back and live in this warm and friendly community. That is what my family did.
to
Little League and waited for San- ta with them. They made Villa Park the community it is today - a community wherein their chil- dren have grown and returned to purchase their own homes. Some things have not changed.
Parents still want to volunteer at their children’s schools and watch them play baseball. Some things have changed. The school popula- tion is greater and more diverse than 52 years ago. Activities, trends, community events are always evolving in and around our city.
Diana Fascenelli Mayor, Villa Park
Dear Editor: As a parent of students attend-
ing Villa Park schools for the past 10 years, and with 10 more years ahead of me, as well as having grown up in Villa Park and at- tended these schools myself, I know well that traffic is not a new topic of concern. My thoughts are informed by many years of expe- rience on the Serrano PFO board, where we have had countless con- versations addressing concerns
Foothills Sentry
from the community, parents and staff regarding parking and traf- fic. I wish to express my concerns regarding the increase in parking restrictions, including completely taking away our option to park on Featherhill and Dodson Way. I am hearing now of an effort to further restrict our parking op- tions. I can’t imagine the city or the school board taking seriously the complaints of a handful of residents when there are so much greater concerns already on the dockets of both boards. The schools were built for about half the population that each serves today. More students walked or rode bikes to and from school when these campuses were built. More OUSD schools were open in those days as well, and traffic was dispersed to Ka- tella Elementary, Peralta Middle School and other since-closed locations. We all have to deal with the changes the years have brought. What in the world is going on
that demands for further parking restrictions are even being enter- tained by the city or by the school board? Since when is school ac- tivity looked upon so negatively? Foot traffic, in my mind, should be a welcome sight, as should parents convening outside of the schools. During my children’s elementary years, I feel that it is my time to make a presence at their school, to be known by their teachers, friends and other par- ents. I see the notion of all of us staying in our cars, running our engines and isolating ourselves in a pick-up line to be a detriment to our community. And how is restricting park-
The Orange Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Trustees recently made a right decision in opposing the Old Town Preservation Association (OTPA) regarding the Killefer school site. According to the news media, the (OTPA) seeks the Kille- fer school site as historic building and it can not be demolished. The site has 1.7 acres in the City Orange which was declared as surplus school site in 2008.
1. 2. 3.
The building in question (541 N. Lemon St) is one story 74-year old which has been vacated over 10 years and without EIR, it may require extensive repairs to meet the city/state building codes. Since the school bond K failed to pass on the last November election, the OUSD needs the money. The teacher’s salary has not been raised for over 4 years and it is more important for school student’s education than the OTPA intention. As the community, let’s support the OUSD’s effort to oppose the OTPA.
should apply for the old building demolition permit without delay from the Building and Safety Dept., City of Orange. ( Hopeful the newly elected City Council Kim Nichols the former OUSD Board President will support the controversy issue).So that the site will be cleared before the closing escrow and let the OUSD have the $5.1 million income from one of the real estate devel- oper high bidders.
P.S. It is disappointed that after more than one year peace and quiet regarding the Peralta school site, the OUSD Board majority under the leaderships John Ortega and Tim Surridge once again place the 19.6 acres for sale. The controversy over the zone change from school to residential
zone will be brought up by the
concerning neighbors due to heavy traffic along Meats and Tustin Avenue and other issues. (Advertisement)
ing helping the complaint of too much traffic on Serrano Avenue? By taking away our parking op- tions, you are creating more cars on the street blocking the flow of traffic in and out of the neigh- borhood. There are simply not enough spaces in our school lot – therefore, we need a place to park in the surrounding neighborhood. These rumored plans are so
very not in keeping with the spirit of our city. Villa Park is meant to be about community and being active and being courteous to one another. The actions of a few resi- dents who wish to make changes that serve only the few of them is outrageous.
Stacey Kirschner Meis Villa Park
Jack & Jill Guild to
It is suggested the OUSD
host Havana Nights
The Jack and Jill Guild of
CHOC Children’s will host its annual spring fundraiser, themed Havana Nights on Saturday, May 16 from 6 – 10 p.m. at the Astor Classics Events Center, 1563 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim. In keeping with the theme, the event
features
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Carrie (Starner) Hummel was honored as the California State As- sembly’s prestigious “Woman of the Year” for the 68th State Assembly District, representing central Orange County. Hummel is a former Orange Citizen of the Year, and was nominated by Assemblyman Don- ald P. Wagner. Hummel has been an engaged and active resident in the Orange and Villa Park communities for nearly 30 years, serving as a volunteer for numerous organizations, including Cambridge Elementary School, Cerro Villa Middle School, Villa Park High School, Orange Chamber of Commerce, Senior Center Meals on Wheels, Orange Masters Chorale, Community Foundation of Orange, American Cancer Society, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Soroptimist of Orange, YWCA of Orange and Olive Crest. She lives in Villa Park with Phil, her husband of 32 years, where they raised three sons, Josh, Nick and Logan.
Spitzer names nine to OPA advisory committee
New and returning members
of the Orange Park Acres advi- sory committee were approved by the OC Board of Supervisors, March 10. Third District Supervisor
Todd Spitzer named Bill Klovs- tad, Kimiya Leuteritz and Lance Mora to terms ending Jan. 30, 2016. Returning member Laura
Thomas is joined by Jim Cath- cart and John Cox to terms end- ing Jan. 28, 2017. Don Bradley was reappointed to a term end- ing Jan. 27, 2018, along with Eichard Eldridge and Leroy Pendray. The advisory committee works
with Spitzer on county issues of concern to OPA residents.
JOHNSON MOTORCARS 24 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of
Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson
714-997-2567
982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867
gary@johnsonmotorcars.com
dinner, dancing
and favorite casino games. The Astor Center is a private museum showcasing classic automobiles and antique communications and broadcasting equipment. Tickets are $100 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available. All proceeds are designated to support CHOC’s Radiology Department and to es- tablish a radiology endowment to be held in perpetuity. Throughout the years, the Jack and Jill Guild has raised more than $5 million to support CHOC.
Dear Editor
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