Fullerton Recall Collects 52,254 Signatures!

Moments ago the Fullerton Recall team turned in well over 50,000 signatures from Fullerton voters to initiate a recall election of councilmembers Don Bankhead, Dick Jones and Pat McKinley. The reason? Their simple failure to provide competent leadership for our city.
The individual totals are:

• Don Bankhead: 17,064 signatures
• F. Richard “Dick” Jones: 17,587 signatures
• Patrick McKinley: 17,603 signatures

Next, the city clerk will...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Contrasts in Architecture Are Rare in Fullerton

I'm not an architect nor do I pretend to be.  At best, I notice some architecture while clearly ignoring other types.  I'm a land surveyor, not a building surveyor.  So when I see structures, I look to quantify them, not qualify them.

At least that was my modus operandi until May 11, 2011. 

On that day I was walking Independence Mall in Philadelphia and admiring the history and reflecting on what it would have been like in 1776.  As I crossed Market Street to go look at the Liberty Bell I looked left and right scanning the streets.  Then something caught my eye.  The antique cityscape had something shiny and new nestled in between two pieces of historic-looking buildings.

Those who have visited Independence Mall will agree that they are awed by Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Christ Church Burial Ground, and other important pieces of American history.  It is breathtaking for those with that certain affinity for history.

And in the midst of this structural history I find my eyes gazing on a structure unlike anything else on the Mall.  For that matter, I don't recall ever seeing anything like this structure with my own eyes. 

The structure has jutting polished metal forming right angles and contrasts sharply against the backdrop of American history.  The building's unusual placement on the Mall speaks volumes of its purpose, though no billboards announce what that may be. 

As I circle the Mall admiring the formation of our Country, my mind and camera wander back to the building, now more striking than when I saw it just moments ago. 

Nearing the building, I look for signs as to what the building is and what it represents.  Seeing none and realizing I'm now short on time, I turn away to make my next appointment.

Troubled by the mystery, I turn to the internet to find my answer. 

I find Google Earth to be a great tool for understanding our world.  Once again, the tool came through with an answer which was supported by additional sources.

The National Museum of American Jewish History stands as a monument to, as the name implies, American Jews.  Its purpose is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.  The architect, James Polshek, has created a striking symbol of American Jews and their story through the placement and use of materials, textures, shapes, and colors.  You can see more of James Polshek's work at http://ennead.com/#/projects/nmajh.

This experience, seeing the building on the Mall and recognizing the unusual beauty of its presence in that location has caused me to question the direction the City of Fullerton has traveled for decades. 

A recent Friends for Fullerton's Future blog post brought to light the Redevelopment Design Review Committee's selections of less than inspiring architecture. 

I used to have the strong opinion that modern designs just would not work in our downtown.  After long debates and discussions with friends and my visit to Philadelphia I am confident that it can work well. 

Entrepreneurs looking to raise the bar and make their place in Fullerton should look to innovative designs which will stand in contrast to our old and confused architecture.  More importantly, when every other building is a bar or tattoo parlor, business owners need to look at ways of setting their establishment apart from the rest of the herd. 

There is a great transcript of a debate on this architectural issue that took place at Harvard in 1982.  Click HERE and read the arguments that shape our structural world. 

Cal State Fullerton Reporter Slammed for Speaking Truth



CSUF Daily Titan scared by the truth

 Fullerton - A California State University of Fullerton student reporter has come under attack for quoting me in the Daily Titan. 

Ally Bordas wrote a brief article for the Daily Titan on the financial mess at CSUF and pointed out the irresponsibility, waste, and hypocrisy within the universities management.  In her article, she quotes my blog post Cal State Fullerton President - Lifestyles of Our Rich Public Employees at the El Dorado Ranch, which was cross-posted on the Friends for Fullerton's Future blog. 

The CSU media specialist didn't like the fact that Ms. Bordas used my post and even less that it was pulled from the 4F blog.  Unfortunately, the story was pulled from the Daily Titan and Ms. Bordas has had to endure a lot of questions on her fact checking. 

The fact remains that the words she quoted from me are based on the official legal agreement between the State of California and the Chapman family who donated the El Dorado Ranch.  You can find the document at the Orange County Recorder's Office by asking for Instrument No. 1989-334761 of Official Records.  You can also email me at GregSebourn@yahoo.com and I will email the 28-page PDF to you. 

Here are a few facts to consider that the agreement spells out:

1. Donated in 1989 by the Chapman Family.
2. CSU Fullerton President Milton Gordon takes office in August 1990, almost exactly 1 year after the donation.
3. No property taxes are paid on the compound because it is owned by the State of California.  However, the Orange County Assessor still keeps track of how much the 4 acre property would be taxed if anyone else owned it.  That figure puts it at $3,351,724 in 2009! 
4. The property was donated and all parties agreed that the mansion would be the "official residence" of the president.  This is mentioned multiple times throughout the agreement.
5. The agreement stipulates that the property shall not be converted into student housing.  However, there is one MAJOR and MASSIVE exception.  The "apartment adjacent to the house [which] may be used for support staff for the President of the University and/or El Dorado Ranch.  In my initial post I said his assistant had a home on the sprawling estate but I was wrong.  He could actually have as many assistants (a.k.a. "support staff") as he feels he needs to have on hand and all of them are welcome to live at the El Dorado Ranch.
6. At the time of the initial donation, there were numerous antiques on loan to the State that remained in the home.  Some items dating from the early 19th century.
7. The Chapman family still retains mineral rights to the El Dorado Ranch.  That means they have a right to pump oil from underneath the State's property. 
8. Item 11 of Exhibit "B" of the agreement requires that any garden developed on the property shall be named the "Alice Wilber Chapman Garden".  Alice Chapman was the mother of the donors. 
9. The property is owned by the taxpayers of the State of California yet the sign at the entrance reads "PRIVATE PROPERTY".  Surely it was an error on the part of some underpaid state employee who didn't know that public property can't also be private property.
10. Not in the agreement but worth noting is that we all need to do our part to conserve energy because energy conservation is clearly not high on the President's list of priorities.  Of course when someone else is paying the bill, who cares...  Thanks for leaving the light on!

At the end of the day, Ms. Ally Bordas was correct to point up the chain of command within the CSU system and call out the hypocrisy that exists.  The leadership insists on burdening the students with higher tuition and "fees" but they are not willing to look within their own ranks.  The CSU system has many great minds but where they are being used remains a mystery.  In my opinion, the media specialist should do a little fact checking of their own.

For Milton Gordon, its still good to be king!



Why the look of surprise?



Jack Dean on the Growing Wave of Public Pension Debt (from Friends For Fullerton's Future)

OC Register's Jennifer Muir Calls It Quits To Work for Public Employee Union

The "Voice of OC", which is really the voice of Orange County's public employee union OCEA, says Muir now works for the union PR machine.  Friends For Fullerton's Future first reported the OCEA job announcement HERE.  FFFF's "Mr. Peabody" poked fun at the lengthy announcement which typifies public employment and suggested that Red County blogger Mathew Cunningham apply.

With Muir gone from the OC Register, will anyone take notice?  She seemed to be largely absent during the carpetbagging and perjury plagued June Primary.  Perhaps she will find her voice at the Voice come November as a bona fide public employee union shill for Harry Sidhu, who came in 2nd for the 4th District Supervisor's seat.  Going against the public employee unions, the OC Register's editorial staff ultimately chose Shawn Nelson as their pick for OC Supervisor because of his strong stance on public employee pension reform.  Give it up to the Voice of OC, if you cant beat 'em, buy 'em...even if it is one reporter at a time.

(Thanks to Allen Wilson for the link)

CHP Threaten to Arrest Hunt Supporters

During a Bill Hunt for Sheriff rally known as Operation Overpass III, an officer from the California Highway Patrol threatened to arrest hunt supporters who were holding signs and banners on the sidewalk of the Yorba Linda Blvd./57 freeway overpass. Later, a Fullerton Police officer intervened and helped diffuse the situation. When a CHP sergeant arrived, things heated up. It would appear that holding signs on the sidewalk of a public right-of-way is somehow a violation of law. The right of the People to peaceably meet and speak freely has been trumped by the thin blue line of the CHP.

I don't know all of the details, but stay tuned for more from the Friends For Fullerton’s Future blog.

Waste And Deception. So What’s New? They’re Unions. (from FFFF)

So far the Orange County public employee unions have spend over a million dollars in this year’s 4th District Supervisor’s election.

Doing what? Calling Shawn Nelson a pedophile supporter; claiming what a virtuous and honorable man Harry Sidhu is. A million bucks.

Lest anybody thinks these goons are going to give up their death grip on the taxpayers without a struggle had better think again. A million times.

Forget issues. They only care about their own selfish interests and Heaven forfend anybody suggests that a County paper shuffler shouldn’t be able to retire at 55 and enjoy most of his pay for rest of his life. Naturally these people are going to do everything they can to distract attention from the main issue of this campaign: unfunded liabilities on the taxpayers caused by public employee union greed and spineless politicians.

And so Hide and Seek Sidhu, carpetbagger and perjurer, the man who doesn’t even know what a defined benefit is suddenly a paragon of virtue; Nelson is an unspeakable monster.



There you have it. Fear and Loathing, and enough to go around.

Harish "Harry" Sidhu's Clueless Response on Pension Benefits

Thanks to Friends For Fullerton's Future for this video which lifts the veil on Sidhu's ignorance when it comes to public employee benefits, a subject which many voters consider to be the single biggest issue facing OC tax payers as the County attempts to avoid a second bankruptcy.  It is amazing that this man was ever voted to serve on the Anaheim City Council.  I hear he is a nice guy, but is nice enough??  How about some clue, a pinhole of light, a glimmer of hope as to what happens at the county-level of government and the challenges the OC Board of Supervisors are currently facing!

Cameron Jackson - The Best Kept Secret In OC

Click here and check out what I'm talking about.  If there is one thing you do today, CLICK HERE and listen to Cameron Jackson. 

PTA Wants to Raise Your Taxes

Story by Chris Thompson at FriendsForFullertonsFuture.org

Parents, the PTA that you all belong to is behind trying to raise your property taxes by reducing the threshold for passage of parcel taxes.


The California State PTA has endorsed the “Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act” which reduces the voter approval requirement to raise taxes from 2/3rds down to 55%. This will make it much easier for local school districts to place new property taxes on local homeowners to benefit the teachers’ unions.

Your local PTA: Always thinking of the children

QUIT THE PTA. It is a bad lobbying organization disguised as an innocent thrower of classroom ice cream parties. It hurts children, families, the state and the country.

Moms and dads can help in the classroom, support schools and be great parents without supporting this organization which is stabbing you in the back as a pawn of teachers unions.

***********

On a personal note, my wife and I took our son out of the local pubic school system because of what we saw as a broken system that served as a babysitting organization rather than an institution of primary education.  In my opinion, the local PTA caused more harm than good.   

Bill Hunt Vindicated by Attorney General Report

Without a doubt, Jaramillo and Carona threw Hunt under the bus...or at least tried.

 

After 5 long years and leaks of what appeared to be damning allocations against Bill Hunt, the Attorney General's report has been released (or at least leaked in its entirety). Unfortunately, the OCSD under Hutchens nor the AG 's office would do it. It took the courage of Friends For Fullerton's Future, Travis Kiger, to have the guts to share this with the voters and tax payers of Orange County.  R. Scott Moxley at OC Weekly re-reports on it and tells us a little more about his own investigative work.
First let's note the purpose of the report: to conduct an inquiry and evaluation of the investigation; identify areas for policy development that could lessen the possibility of a reoccurrence. 

Bill Hunt On Marijuana and States' Rights

March 1, Friends For Fullerton's Future's Travis Kiger, Fullerton businessman Larry Lazar and myself sat down with Bill Hunt, 2010 candidate for Orange County Sheriff. The roundtable discussion was an opportunity to ask some important questions that we think are on the minds of voters. No topic was off-limits.


We will share with you what Hunt had to say about Marijuana, concealed weapon permits (CCW), citizen oversight, DUI checkpoints, illegal immigration, Sandra Hutchens, Craig Hunter, emerging technology, OC political insiders, controversial endorsement by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, OC jail reform, and dealing with federal agencies.

The lengthy discussion yielded too much information for us to share with you all at once, so we will be breaking it down into topics of interest. For that matter, we will not be spelling out every single word said only because this series of posts would soon turn into a full-length novel.

First Impressions
To my surprise, Bill Hunt arrived by himself with no handlers or henchmen. As our discussion progressed, it was clear why he came alone. Bill Hunt told us that he does not need anyone reminding him of where he stands on any issue. In fact, he didn’t lay out his talking points or any of the shenanigans that you might expect a typical politician to do. Hunt is an energetic man who has spent a tremendous amount of time and thought on the development of his platform and studying what lays ahead for his political race and the Sheriff’s Department. He is well-read and seems to possess new perspectives and insight on old problems. Bill Hunt clearly has an in depth knowledge of the crisis that faces the Sheriff’s Department and jail system. He presented some out-of-the-box innovations, leaving us with the hope that he would serve the People well.

Bill Hunt on Marijuana
No, the South County candidate for sheriff isn’t ON marijuana but we did ask him about the subject. Bill made it clear that he isn’t in favor of legalizing pot but that he respects the will of the people.

GS: “If you are elected sheriff and the DEA came into OC and asked OCSD to help shut down medical marijuana dispensaries, would you oblige them with support?”

BH: “No. I would prevent them, it’s unconstitutional! I’m not an advocate for legalizing marijuana but on the other hand the sheriff is elected to enforce state laws. So, if I’m elected sheriff to this county enforcing state law and I’m using federal law to circumvent state law, then I’m not really being true to my office and my oath of office. The sheriff can prevent the feds from coming in and doing that.”

Hunt goes on to say, “Medical marijuana is legal within certain parameters, just like alcohol is. If a kid is drinking alcohol or if you’re drunk driving, it’s a violation of law and we’ll enforce it. The same thing with people who extend beyond the legal limits of medical marijuana, we’ll enforce that. But we [law enforcement] can’t be taking a vendetta just because the general consensus in law enforcement is they [law enforcement officers] don’t like it. The public has already ruled. Now, I think it’s a zoning problem, a business problem, not a law enforcement problem. The cities need to get together and regulate it just like they tattoo shops and bars just like their CUP’s [conditional use permits] provide. It’s a regulatory issue, I think, right now more than law enforcement.”

(This story has also been released here by FFFF. Special thanks to Travis Kiger, Tony Bushala, and Bill Hunt for arranging the meeting.)