I was pleasantly surprised....

Gary, Katrina and Allan R. did a great job last week when they went to Sacramento to present the
Governor's aides with the City's proposal to purchase the Fairgrounds.  Actually, I was prepared for the worst since rumors circulated last week that other interests were competing with us.  But our team brought back good news that we have thirty days to finish the entire plan. 

The City will not take on ANY debt. Meetings with interested parties who will commit to generate the revenue to purchase the Fair, are expected to take place this week. 

I am not dismayed by Councilman Bever's decision to not go forward. That is his choice.   If it looks like it won't be in the City's best interest to structure a deal, then I believe the Council will have the good sense to not move forward.  The door is still open and we will go through it.  If the door closes--the Governor's people may not like the City's proposal---- we know we have done our very best to try to preserve our beloved OC Fairgrounds and we can go on with our lives knowing we tried.

What can I say about the Fair?

Not much. For those who have never been elected to public office, it is difficult to understand that the BROWN ACT is written on my forehead with invisible ink.  When I was on the school board, I was careful not to break it and now, more than ever, on the City Council, I am conscious of every word I speak about the City's work to purchase the Fairgrounds.

I am forced to speak in generalities and hesitate to say anything lest I be in violation of the sacred Ralph M Brown Act--the holy writ of public officials who must keep confidential all things done in closed session and not talk to more than one other council person about an upcoming vote.

 Thus, at this point, I can only say that our city manager Allan Roeder, Becky Bailey-Findley, a top numbers cruncher from Los Angeles, our city attorney and Gary and Katrina continue to work overtime to meet the April 21 deadline imposed on us by the Governor on which we have to present a substantial agreement.  I can't talk about the agreement of course, or what is in it, or anything else.

I can only say we continue to move forward, and for those who have labored with us for months, I hope this is encouraging news. The county supervisors,  and my dear friend Supervisor John M. W. Moorlach,  have opted for a different approach because they don't want to pay the Governor the $96,000,000 he wants to be paid. Stay tuned. At least I said something, but I admit, it isn't much.  You can thank Ralph Brown. Keep praying.

The Empty Tomb. He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!

Not Fair!

It doesn't seem fair that after all the work we went through to persuade the Governor to stop the sale of the OC Fair that now we have to engage in negotiations with the State. But, as I have said to my kids hundreds of times--"Life's not fair".  Now comes the really hard part:  putting a deal together.

We have the best negotiating team of Allan Roeder and Becky Bailey-Findley to deal with DGS and other state officials.  We will persevere, be patient and prudent, and pray (if you are so inclined).  We accept Supervisor John Moorlach's wise words of caution as well.  The end result--the deal--has to be a win win for now and the future. The price has to be right. Yes, we are emotionally involved, but we can't let our emotions rule.

Canyon Park Flowers in Bloom

Canyon Park is one our best kept secrets. Dogs and dog walkers love it!

K-9 Clean-up Program is underway. Mike and Judi Berry are sponsoring this Bag Dispenser at the entrance to Canyon Park. Judi made the suggestion to the City Council last year. We still need many more sponsors. Call 714-754-5327 for more information on sponsoring a dispenser.