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Foothills Sentry


By Andie King In opening remarks at the Vil-


VP City Council meeting plagued with divisive discourse


holidays. That resolution did not satisfy


la Park City Council meeting, July 28, Mayor Diana Fascenelli spoke of her visit to hear the Da- lai Lama, and hinted at future city activities in keeping with his mis- sion of spreading “kindness.” Kindness,


however, was


drowned out by veiled insults, sniping and derogatory comments circulated around the dais when two hot-button topics came up for council discussion. The Villa Park Community Ser-


vices Foundation (VPCSF), an adjunct of the city council since its inception in 2002, requested a legal separation from that entity, primarily to avoid the burden of working under the Brown Act, re- quired of California government entities. The 12-member volun- teer board found it difficult to work on city-wide events without communicating with other board members outside of the monthly meetings (a Brown Act violation). Councilman Bill Nelson, who


had previously served on the foundation for over four years alongside VPCSF Chair Doug Bender, repeatedly grilled Bender on each of the justifications put forth by the foundation to sever its connection with the council. The four items: administrative burden of the Brown Act; that the original intent had been to launch a separate foundation; the bylaws linking the city and foundation cause confusion; a separation would limit the city’s legal risks.


Firm foundation Rich Freschi, a VPCSF found-


er, refuted the idea that the coun- cil’s intent had been to have a separate entity. The original in- tent, he said, was to have it be a “parks and rec” arm for the city. Rich Ulmer, a former mayor and a current foundation board mem- ber, believed the split would en- hance its flexibility and ability to provide more benefit to the city. Councilman Greg Mills recused


himself because his wife is on the foundation board and, although legally entitled to vote, wanted to avoid any perception of impropri- ety. That action left the council to a stalemate 2-2 vote (Fascenelli and Rick Barnett, “yes;” Nelson and Bob Collacott, “no”), and so no action was taken. The founda- tion’s relationship with the city council will remain status quo.


Park at your own risk The issue of permit parking on


Featherhill and Dodson appeared on the council agenda for the fourth time in 14 months. Home- owners near Cerro Villa and Ser- rano schools want permanent per- mit parking on their streets, citing unsafe vehicle traffic, parents parking in front of their homes, reckless driving, even students taking avocados from their trees. With the start of the school


year imminent, tensions were high. Orange Unified board mem- ber and Villa Park resident Kathy Moffat reported that Serrano Av- enue had been restriped, and 38 parking spaces opened up behind Serrano Elementary for parents to park and walk their children into school. The council was tasked to vote


on a resolution restricting parking on Featherhill Drive and Dodson Way from 7-9 a.m. and 1:30- 3:30 p.m. in front of the first five homes on school days, and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and


several residents, who implored the council to “take care of Villa Park” and reinstate permit park- ing only on Featherhill and Dod- son. They were also outraged that they, or their guests, would not be allowed to park in front of their own homes per the resolution. Councilman Barnett had made the proposal, he said, based on his understanding that residents opposed open street parking be- cause of safety issues. “It’s not safe if someone else parks in front of your house,” he asked, “but it is safe if your own car is there?” Nelson made a motion that per-


mit parking from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., every day be returned to Dodson Way and Featherhill. Council- man Collacott seconded the mo- tion, and read a lengthy prepared speech reiterating the comments of the public speakers. He empha- sized that Featherhill residents had studied the issues, and two- thirds had signed a petition. He explained at length how “smart” those residents were and that one, “a nuclear scientist,” was prob-


ably smarter than anyone else. His colleagues on the dais ap-


peared insulted. Barnett retorted that “all residents are equal, whether they are nuclear scien- tists or janitors.” Mary Beth Felcyn, a Feath-


erhill resident, presented a slide showing other Villa Park streets with permit parking, and alluded to “permit parking only” on a street near Mayor Fascenelli’s home. The mayor noted that Fel- son and Collacott were observed in front of her home, measuring the distance to the signage. The mayor decried all of the negativ- ity, written and spoken, about the issue, including the suggestion that she recuse herself because her kids attended the schools, and especially, residents’ comments suggesting that “out of towners” are not welcome in the city. The “ugliness is out of control,” she said. Ultimately, the council amend-


ed the resolution to allow permit parking 7 a.m.-7 p.m. every day. The vote was 4-1, with Fascenelli opposed and Barnett voting “yes” because, he said, “there is no one here speaking against it.”


Former Villa Park City Coun-


cilwoman Deborah Pauly has announced her candidacy for the District 68 seat in the California Assembly next June. The 68th District includes Or-


ange, Villa Park, Tustin, North Tustin, Anaheim Hills, Irvine and Lake Forest. The seat is currently held by Don Wagner, who will be termed out in 2016. Pauly served on the Villa Park


City Council from 2006 – 14, and has been an elected member of the Central Committee of the Re- publican Party of Orange County for nearly a decade. The June primary will be held


Deborah Pauly


on the 7th. If Pauly prevails in that election, she will advance to the general election in November.


Orange teen earns state title Lorenzo Rangel-Santos, 17,


from Orange won top honors as “2015 California State Ambassa- dor” from Youth Focus, Inc. He won scholarships for $3,000 and $250. Lorenzo clinched the title with


a stage arts presentation. A senior at the Orange County School of Arts, he will now serve as youth ambassador for the State Fair and California Fair Industry


Tuesday, August 4, 2015


Pauly announces for state assembly seat


Lorenzo Rangel-Santos


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