Soup with the Supe Draws Locals

Over 30 local residents joined me at Polly’s Pies on May 2, for the first weekly “Soup With the Supe” gathering, including Eddie Sheldrake, founder and owner of Polly’s. The meetings will continue every Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the popular 136 N. Raymond restaurant.

Locals included a mix of long-time Fullerton activists and those with specific concerns. Subjects discussed included pensions, transit, trade policy, veterans programs and education. A number of residents had specific requests for action and information from the County.

Flag-Draped Fullerton Billboard Sends Message

A new billboard campaign for Spanish-language KRCA-TV Channel 62 has created controversy that tweaked many North OC residents’ interest. The sign shows two broadcasters super-imposed over the L.A. skyline, reading: “Los Angeles, CA” with the “CA” crossed out and replaced by “Mexico.”

One of the billboards along State College Blvd. in Fullerton was soon draped by an American flag by a local unidentified resident, who scaled the 50-foot sign to make a point.

Whatever witty point the ad campaign was supposed to make was lost by those concerned about sovereignty and control of the borders. Los Angeles has not been part of Mexico since the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. Implying that immigrants come here to recreate Mexico is an insult to millions of Hispanic Californians who came here for a better life—not to recreate what they had in their home country.

Sovereignty concerns are not unique to this country. We can imagine the outrage in Mexico if a similar billboard read “Mexico City, USA.” US troops occupied that city in the 1840’s (the “Halls of Montezuma” of the Marine hymn) and memories are long on both sides of the border.

Park Projects Seek Scarce Funds

In 2002, the Fourth District received $2.8 million in state park bonds. That was the last year all such funds were divided evenly among the five supervisorial districts, guaranteeing a fair share for all O.C. residents. $1 million has been allocated for the new Tiger Woods Learning Center at the “Dad” Miller Golf Course in West Anaheim. Another $90,000 went for new playground equipment and a picnic area at the Colonia Independencia Community Center in a still-unincorporated area near Katella & Gilbert.

At a recent meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to allocate $450,000 for repairs to the 100-year old George Key Ranch house in Placentia, located on a 2-acre County-owned park. This park is about all that remains of the vast orange groves that once gave this county its name. It hosts over 6,000 school kids yearly, who learn about O.C.’s agricultural past. Placentia Council members Connie Underhill and Russ Rice testified in favor of the project.

There remains $1.25 million in the fund, and I’m working with local political and youth leaders to determine areas of greatest need and County responsibility. The funds must be committed to actual projects by the end of 2006, or the money reverts to the State of California.

SD Fiscal Crisis Over Ticking Pensions

Long priding itself as “America’s Finest City,” San Diego faces political and fiscal meltdown over its under-funded city employee pension fund. Mayor Murphy has resigned under a cloud of acrimony. His immediate successor is under indictment. City Attorney Michael Aguirre and the council majority are at political war.

The city faces a $1.4 pension deficit, as its ability to pay was predicated on over-optimistic performance of its investments. The lesson for Orange County is clear. We must face our pension obligations without illusions that an over-performing stock market will cover its future costs. Ultimately, the taxpayers are responsible. We must put more away now. I did not support the 2.7% at 55 pension boost approved last year by the Board. But it is now a vested obligation, and we must start planning on how we will pay for it.

New Life for Fullerton’s First Shopping Center

The Orangefair Shopping center was built on an old citrus grove that gave the center its name back in the 1950’s. It was Fullerton’s first shopping center, and hosted everything from major department stores to health spas to night clubs.

By the 1970’s the center was losing out to newer fancier malls. For the past three decades various plans were afoot to “revitalize” Orangefair, with an untold public price tag of redevelopment funds. Then, suddenly, a new developer had purchased and remodeled the mall—all with his own money. Not a penny of public subsidy has gone into the total rehab of Fullerton’s oldest shopping center.

Columbus Pacific Partners bought Orangefair two years ago for $32 million, then put $8 million of their own for a remodel. The 400,000 square feet facility is now 98% leased, with new tenants like Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Cold Stone Ice Cream. The Burlington Coat Factory store reports an 80% jump in sales since a new central pedestrian walkway was put through.

I cheer for the Orangefair because it shows that the free market works. Old retail centers need not have public hand-outs to be revitalized. Take a look at the New Orangefair (south side of Orangethorpe between Harbor & Lemon). The shopping center of my childhood is better than ever.