The class of 2013 of the Yorba Linda chapter of National Charity League is hosting the 17th annual Fashion Show, Luncheon, and Auction: “California Girls…Dreamin’ of a Cure” for the benefit of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  The Fashion Show will take place on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Disneyland Hotel and will include a silent auction, opportunity drawings, surprise packages and a grand-prize drawing.  The public is welcome and is encouraged to attend. Tickets are $75 which includes parking, and must be purchased prior to the event.

National Charity League, Inc (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters dedicated to serving their communities and fostering the mother-daughter relationship.  The mothers and daughters participate in a six-year program (grades seven through twelve), working together as they assist various local philanthropies, participate in educational and leadership activities, and attend a variety of cultural events.  The Yorba Linda chapter (the Chapter) was founded in 1990 and consists of Yorba Linda residents and students attending schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District.

Each year, the mothers and daughters from the Chapter’s junior class host a fashion show and fundraiser to benefit one of the many philanthropies with which the Chapter works.  This year, the class has chosen the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) as the beneficiary in hopes of making a difference in the lives of those afflicted by this life-threatening disease.  CFF is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis.  A nonprofit, donor-supported organization, CFF does not receive any federal funding for its work.  The Foundation’s focus is to support the development of new drugs, improve the quality of life for those with CF, and ultimately to find a cure.

NCL’s fashion show will be produced by James Campbell Productions, a top-tier, Los Angeles-based fashion show production company.  The models will be the 23 girls of the NCL Class of 2013, all juniors at local high schools including Yorba Linda High School, El Dorado High School, Esperanza High School, Lutheran High School of Orange County, Rosary High School, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, and Whittier Christian High School.

NCL has sponsorship opportunities for businesses and individuals interested in supporting this event.  For information about event tickets, sponsorships, or to donate items for the silent auction and opportunity drawings, please contact Cherry Kiely at caligirls2013forcff@yahoo.com.   Anyone wishing to find out more about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation should visit the CFF website at www.cff.org.

Media Contact:   Susan Barrett 714-777-3148 barrettfam5@att.net

Approximately 10 days ago, the City of Brea posted a response to the recent actions the Yorba Linda City Council regarding the Police Contract. This was  subsequently removed by the City of Brea after apparent complaints from  the City Council majority members. I personally feel the residents need to hear the information from all sources in a transparent and open forum.

The following had been posted on the City of Brea’s  web site:

Q. How did the Brea Police Department’s relationship with Yorba Linda begin?

A. The City of Yorba Linda, which incorporated in 1967, was initially receiving police services from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. After about three years, city officials became interested in a more local approach and looked to Brea, its neighboring city. On October 1, 1970 the Brea Police Department began patrolling the City of Yorba Linda and have been doing so ever since.

Members of the Brea Police Department are part of every facet of community life—both professionally and personally. In fact, 21% of police department employees live in Yorba Linda. A generation of police families has grown up in Yorba Linda during the past 41-years of the Agreement. Consequently, Brea Police have a vested interest in the community and are grateful for the support they receive from the Yorba Linda community.

Q. In simple terms, how does the contract work?

A. Both cities have long recognized the mutual benefits created when critical services are shared between cities. The Law Enforcement Services Agreement, cost-sharing formula and contract timeline are developed jointly by Brea and Yorba Linda. Using the expertise of the Brea Police Department, and its 41-years of experience patrolling the community, Yorba Linda officials decide on the service levels for their community.

Q. How are the costs calculated?

Direct costs: Yorba Linda pays 100% of the direct costs for personnel assigned to the City of Yorba Linda. (Detectives, Patrol/Traffic Officers, School Resource Officers and Police Services Officers are assigned to Yorba Linda.)

Indirect costs: Yorba Linda pays a mutually agreed upon percentage, as contained in the Agreement, of the costs for services required to support field personnel, such as Police Records, Dispatch, CSI and Police supervision. The formula is based on the direct field support needs for Yorba Linda officers.

Q. Every contract must be monitored. What “checks and balances” are in place?

A. Part of fulfilling the police services contract is to be good managers and stewards of the agreement. The contract is managed by the Yorba Linda Police Services Commander and is one of his top priorities in that assignment.

Contract negotiations between Brea and Yorba Linda result in a complete review of service levels and cost-sharing formulas. Over the years, the agreement has been modified to adapt to the changing needs of the Yorba Linda community and the priorities of the City Council.

Yorba Linda service hours are tracked daily and compiled at least monthly. A full report is submitted annually to the Yorba Linda City Manager, and data can be retrieved at any time upon request.

Q. How do City officials ensure one City isn’t subsidizing the other?

A. Neither city is subsidizing the other. We have a serious obligation to the residents of Brea to make sure that their tax dollars are not being used to subsidize police services in Yorba Linda. And we have the same obligation to the citizens of Yorba Linda. As previously, mentioned, there are many checks and balances in place and the contract is closely monitored. The law enforcement agreement only makes sense if it is of mutual benefit to both cities, so consequently ensuring that it is fairly implemented is a top priority.

Yorba Linda pays for, and is directly assigned its own detectives, patrol/traffic officers, SRO and PSO personnel as determined through open discussions between Yorba Linda and Brea (direct costs).

Yorba Linda also pays their share of indirect services based upon the mutually agreed-upon formula contained in the Law Enforcement Agreement. Indirect services include administrative supervision, police records, dispatch, CSI, and other technical support.

Patrol officers, detectives and other police services employees assigned directly to Yorba Linda are not “reassigned, or diverted” to Brea because of any potential extra daily Brea activity. A major incident in either city, such as a large brush fire, or multiple homicides, could result in redeployment for that specific incident. But, those occurrences are fortunately very rare in both cities and units would be called in to backfill any extended vacancies.

In addition, should any question arise, many lines of communication are always open between Brea PD and Yorba Linda City officials and their constituents. At least one member of the Police Command staff attends every Yorba Linda City Council meeting. Council Members and City staff communicate regularly with Brea Police to address issues or concerns.

Q. How does Brea respond to any such issues raised?

A. Brea City officials and Brea Police play close attention to the cares and concerns of the Yorba Linda City Council regarding the Police Services Contract.

For example: Controlling costs of providing quality public services is a mutual concern of both Yorba Linda and Brea (as it is with all public agencies), while also continuing to provide quality, responsive public safety services.

To that end, on July 1, 2011 Brea implemented a significant change to the retirement formula for public safety employees. This demonstrates responsiveness, sound fiscal management and commitment on the part of Brea City Management and the Brea Police Services employees. The City of Brea is one of the first agencies in Orange County to take such action.

New Hires after September 16, 2011 New sworn personnel now pay the full portion of their employee contribution to retirement costs (9%, formerly 0% contribution).

In addition, the formula is now 2% at 50 years of age (formerly 3% at 50 years), with no provision of the “Single Highest Year” retirement formula.

New civilian police employees now pay the full portion of their employee contribution to retirement costs (7%, formerly 0% contribution).

Existing Employees (those hired prior to September 16, 2011) Existing sworn police employees now pay 2.25% (formerly 0% contribution) of the employee contribution to retirement costs in the first year of a two-year contract. This contribution will increase another 2.25% on July 1, 2012.

In addition, sworn personnel (employed as of the 7-1-11) are now paying 1.62% the cost of “Single-Highest Year” retirement formula.

Existing civilian employees now pay 1.125% of the employee contribution to retirement costs in the first year of a two-year contract. The contribution will increase another 1.125% on July 1, 2012.

Another example: At the August 16, 2011 Yorba Linda City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to open discussions with Brea City Management and the Brea Police Department on various issues. (Potential formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA); contract costs; deployment: use of asset seizure funds; vacancies; Yorba Linda representation during collective bargaining negotiations.) Brea City Management and Brea Police agreed to consider every point of direction, and had three productive meetings to that end prior to Yorba Linda’s decision to request proposals from other agencies.

Q. Has the City of Brea ever provided a police services proposal to the City of Yorba Linda?

A. Until Yorba Linda City Council meeting on November 1, the Brea Police Department has never been asked to participate in a formal competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) effort. However, years of negotiating and reexamining the police services contract, has provided opportunities for extensive review of costs, service levels and quality controls.

In addition, while no formal bid process has occurred (or been requested), there have been several (at least three) formal comprehensive efforts over the years by Yorba Linda to review the cost of Brea Police Department services and evaluate the quality of services.

In the most recent effort, in spring, 2008 the Yorba Linda City Council hired a third-party professional consultant to evaluate Brea’s Police Services (quality and cost effectiveness) and develop a comparison with other service provider options (including the Orange County Sherriff Department, City of Placentia, and City of Anaheim) and were also asked to evaluate the feasibility of a Joint Powers Agreement for police services as well as a Yorba Linda Police Department.

The report, prepared by the consultant and delivered to the Yorba Linda City Council in December, 2009, concluded that Yorba Linda continues to be best served by the Brea Police Department vs. other viable options.

The report yielded a number of recommendations designed to further improve police services to Yorba Linda. Brea Police Services responded to those rec-ommendations in writing in May 2010. The Police Department was already performing some of the recommended actions, and has since implemented, or has begun implementation of other recommendations.

Q. What is the issue regarding Asset Seizure Funds mentioned?

A. The Brea Police Department participates in a program called PACNET (Public and Commercial Narcotic Enforcement Team) managed by the Department of Justice. Brea currently assigns and pays 100% of the funding for a K-9 Police Detective to be part of the task force. This is a regionalized task force directed at narcotic enforcement through parcel interdiction.

PACNET members aggressively target and monitor large U.S. postal distribution centers and airports as these parcel systems are extremely popular method of transporting narcotics by drug trafficking organizations. Through the PACNET agreement, a portion of the assets seized is distributed to participating law enforcement agencies. These Asset Seizure Funds are restricted by law to be used only to support law enforcement services in the City.

Currently, Yorba Linda does not fund any portion of the participation in PACNET, nor does PACNET operate in Yorba Linda. Consequently, the City does not receive any of the Asset Seizure Funds earned by the Brea funded PACNET unit.

However, per the Brea Yorba Linda Police Services Agreement, when/if Brea PD seizes assets in Yorba Linda, during the normal course of serving the City, all of the seized and forfeited assets are returned to Yorba Linda. (Subject, of course, to any conditions of the federal/state government.)

In response to Yorba Linda’s interest in PACNET, Brea and Yorba Linda officials have been in discussions to determine if it is feasible for Yorba Linda to share in part of the funding for the PACNET officer and as a result, share in the Asset Seizure Funds.

Q. What about revenue from Commercial Traffic Enforcement fines; does Yorba Linda share in that?

A. Yorba Linda receives 100% of the city revenue from all traffic fines issued in their city limits by police officers, including any fines incurred for truck/commercial traffic violations. Unlike Brea, Yorba Linda has chosen not to contract and pay for a designated Commercial Traffic Enforcement program.

Brea maintains a designated Commercial Traffic Enforcement program for two main reasons: 1.) the volume of truck traffic travelling to the Orange County Landfill through Brea city limits, and 2.) the traffic associated with Brea’s large business sector. Currently, the Brea Police department assigns two, full-time officers solely to Commercial Traffic Enforcement within the City of Brea. Since the enforcement is in Brea, it is 100% funded by the Brea. Therefore, any city revenue from fines is returned to the City of Brea.

Several years ago, Yorba Linda and the City of Brea tried sharing the cost (and revenue) of one full-time Commercial Enforcement officer in order to add the patrol to the City of Yorba Linda. However, the low volume of truck traffic in Yorba Linda did not warrant the dedicated enforcement, and a decision was made jointly to remove the position (and the cost) from the City of Yorba Linda.

Q. Both Brea and Yorba Linda are viewed as safe cities. What are do the crime statistics mean?

A. Being a victim of a violent crime in either Brea or Yorba Linda is rare occurrence. When crime statistics are reported in the media, it leads to a flurry of questions because of its complexity. Analyzing and applying crime statistics in a meaningful manner is complex and difficult. Often the reporting and conclusions drawn are erroneous and misleading.

The most often reported (and consequently misused) crime statistics report is the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) annual report. It is so commonly misused and misunderstood that the FBI itself includes a disclaimer when issuing the report. It cautions readers of the UCR report against using the statistics as the sole measure, or even the leading measure of safety within a community and to avoid ranking cities based on the UCR.

Specifically: Since crime is a sociological phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, the FBI discourages ranking the agencies and using the data as a measurement of law enforcement effectiveness. The FBI does not provide a ranking of agencies, but merely alphabetical tabulations of states, metropolitan statistical areas, cities, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, and colleges and universities. [Source: FBI website].

In Perspective

To put the most recent FBI statistics in perspective, the report, among other things, shows that in 2010 the City of Brea experienced 39.9 “Part 1 Crimes” per 1,000 residents.

Seven crimes make up Part 1 Crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft (including shoplifting), and stolen vehicles). These can be divided into two additional categories, violent crime (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) and property crime (burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson). It is very important to avoid characterizing all Part 1 Crimes as violent crimes, as is sometimes erroneously portrayed in the media and personal blogs.

Brea continues to be a very safe city in regard to the frequency of violent crime. In 2010, Brea experienced only 71 violent crimes. Aggravated assault accounted for the vast majority of these crimes (39) and consisted primarily of incidents of domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse where the victim knew the perpetrator. The remaining crime categories and total number of crimes per category are as follows: murder (1), rape (3) and robbery (28).

As you can see from the statistics, the likelihood of being a victim of a violent crime committed by a stranger in the City of Brea is very low.

Conversely, like in other cities, property crime occurs more frequently. In 2010, the City of Brea experienced 1,471 property crimes of which the vast majority was burglaries (197) and other thefts (1200). Of these 1,471 crimes, 525 or 34% occurred at our regional Mall. In addition, of the 525 property crimes which occurred at the mall, 478 of those crimes occurred inside the mall, which are typically handled by their loss prevention personnel and require little police follow-up.

Consequently, these crimes would not overly tax assigned Brea officers and would not require officers and detectives assigned to Yorba Linda to report to the City of Brea, nor would police command staff supervision efforts be disproportionately directed to Brea due to such activities.

The services provided by the Brea Police Department in Yorba Linda are considered excellent by both the community and current and former City Councils. Numerous public verbal and written comments to that effect are on record.

December, 2011

Excerpt from Supervisor Bill Campbells newsletter regarding upcoming board action.

Supervisorial Redistricting Map- After hearing 26 members of the public speak about various map alternatives, the Board approved a supervisorial map as part of its 2011 redistricting process. The Board approved Proposal 21C, which I submitted for consideration. Proposal 21C includes the same revisions as the top rated Redistricting Committee plan (Proposal 21) and incorporates aspects of the second ranked Committee plan (Proposal 20B) submitted by Supervisor Pat Bates, and Proposal 21-1 submitted by Supervisor Nguyen. The approved map includes four split cities and a population percentage deviation between the most and least populated districts at 4.12%. The current percentage deviation based on the 2001 districts is 10.66%. Proposal 21C makes the following changes:

The city of Brea is moved into the Fourth District
The city of Buena Park is split at Western and Knot Avenue between the Second and Fourth Districts
The city of Irvine is split at the I-405 and Jeffrey to Bonita Canyon between the Third and Fifth Districts
The city of Garden Grove is entirely within the First District
The area of Newport Coast is moved into the Second District to make the city of Newport Beach whole in the Second District
The city of Fountain Valley is split at Warner Avenue between the Second and First Districts.

The Board will hold its second public hearing on Tuesday, September 6th to consider adoption of the final Redistricting Ordinance. For demographic information on Proposal 21C and to view the map, please click: http://bos.ocgov.com/legacy3/newsletters/pdf/Proposal_21C_20110822.pdf

CHOC-LITTLEST ANGEL GUILD’S 34^TH ANNUAL HOME TOUR AND GIFT FAIRE

The Littlest Angel Guild of CHOC invites you to its 34^th Home Tour and Gift Faire:  Gift Faire Pre-view Event – 10/20 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Gift Faire – 10/21 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Home Tour – 10/21 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Proceeds to benefit CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Since 1965, the Littlest Angel Guild, a multi-generational group of volunteers, has raised awareness and monetary support for programs and services at CHOC Children’s, CHOC at Mission and the CHOC Clinics throughout Orange County.

Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $45 the day of the event.  Free Admission to Gift Faire. Tickets are available after September 1:  in Anaheim Hills – Zae’s Women’s Boutique;  in Brea – Mandel Jewelers; in Fullerton – Mums the Word…a Florist;  in Placentia –  and in Yorba Linda – Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce, Gifts from the Heart and David Hayman Jewellers.

Three unique and beautiful homes in Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills and Placentia are showcased this year.  Each home reflects a different Orange County lifestyle.  One of the homes has been the center of a rumor for many years.  This ultra-modern 19,500 square foot home built at the highest point in Yorba Linda was believed to have been built for Arnold Schwarzenegger.  That rumor is false, but the view from this stunning home is spectacular.

Exquisite  floral arrangements designed by Mums the Word… A Florist, The Garden Gate and Sherry’s Party Affair will be featured.  Designer table settings by Villeroy and Boch and Crate and Barrel will also be a highlight.

This year’s Gift Faire at the Yorba Linda Community Center (4501 Casa Loma, Yorba Linda, CA) promises to entice our guests with unique and creative gift items.  A special Pre-view event is planned for 10/20 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Our guests will also enjoy a light refreshment from popular North Orange County Caterer – Sally Ann’s Catering  (served from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 10/21 only – included in ticket price).

For additional information, call (714) 970-2003 or www.littlestangelguild.org.  Tickets available at CHOC.org and the above mentioned locations.

The Littlest Angel Guild/CHOC  have joined forces with community partner, Java Joe’s, and the comedy group – The Funniest Housewives of Orange County for its Second Annual Comedy Night to raise awareness and monetary support for CHOC Children’s.

By participating in this event, you are supporting a special place for children in Orange County to receive medical care regardless of their family’s ability to pay.  CHOC Children’s Hospital is one of only 44 free-standing children’s hospitals in the United States.  It may be one of the youngest free-standing children’s hospitals in the nation, but CHOC performs on par with children’s hospitals that have been around for a century, and in the last decade, has become the fastest growing children’s hospitals in California.  U.S. News recently ranked CHOC Children’s as No. 28 in Pediatric Cancer Care.

The community is invited to join Guild members and friends for a night that promises to be both full of laughter, camaraderie and support for CHOC.  Featured at this year’s event will be Cindy Burns – Anti-aging Housewife, Karen Rontowski – Hippie Housewife and Stephanie Blum – Lazy Housewife.  Host:  Scott Stewart from “What’s Up Orange County”.

Join us at Java Joe’s (4975 Yorba Ranch Road, Yorba Linda, CA) on Thursday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.  For reservations, contact:  Karen Allen at (949) 981-0743 or contactus@littlestangelguild.org.  Tickets are $50/person (includes one drink and light refreshment).  Seating is limited.

All high school age faith groups are invited to come and join with 80 to 100 other high school students from various faith traditions to participate in the Interfaith Council of Central Orange County‘s Annual Interfaith Youth Forum.

The purpose of this Interfaith Youth Forum is to bring together young people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, and to engage them in dialogue.  True dialogue is a conversation on a common subject between two or more persons of differing points of view and/or backgrounds.  This dialogue’s purpose is two-fold:  first, for each participant to learn from the other so that he or she can understand and grow; second, for each participating adult to learn from the young what they think, what their concerns are, and how they deal with differing points of view.  We feel that this commitment to dialogue will affect relationships in a constructive way in our places of worship and in our community.

The forum itself involves having eight high school-age kids and one adult youth leader around each table to discuss a common question.  Our intent is to make each discussion group as religiously diverse as possible.  Our youth leaders act as facilitators, but it is stressed that it is the students we want to hear from.  The facilitator is there only to encourage the dialogue.

The event is planned to last all afternoon with breaks and a snack period as a part of the agenda.  After a 20 to 25 minute discussion there will be an opportunity for each student to fill out a Student Synthesis form summarizing their reaction to the dialogue.    In the Student’s packet there is also an evaluation form so that the students can give us feedback on the event and what, if any, suggestions they may have.

If you have any questions and or would like more information about the “Youth Forum” please contact me at:

Mike Penn

714/838-3979

pennltd@cox.net

November 29, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE #293

SUBJECT: Police Captain John “Jack” M. Conklin Appointed Next Brea Chief of Police

BREA, Calif.—Brea City Manager Tim O’Donnell announced today that Captain John “Jack” Conklin, a 21-year veteran of the Brea Police Department, will succeed Bill Hutchinson as Chief of Police immediately upon his retirement December 9, 2010. “Jack Conklin’s more than 21 years of experience in law enforcement combined with his many educational and professional achievements make him exceptionally qualified for his new assignment,” said City Manager Tim O’Donnell. “His appointment provides a seamless transi-tion in the leadership of the Police Department and in its service to the Brea and Yorba Linda communities,” concluded O’Donnell. Captain Conklin is currently assigned as the Uniform Services Commander, following a two year assignment as the Chief of Police Services for the City of Yorba Linda. (Under a con-tractual agreement, the Brea Police Department has provided police services to the City of Yorba Linda for more than 40 years.) Conklin began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1986. In 1989 he joined the Brea Police Department as a patrol officer. In 1991, he was assigned as school resource officer serving five Yorba Linda elementary schools returning in 1995 to patrol as a corporal where he served as a field training officer. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2000 and after spending two years in patrol as a field supervisor was assigned as the department’s first ever Professional Standards Sergeant where he served for three years as the department’s press information officer, primary internal affairs investigator and supervisor of the school resource officer program. In 2005, Conklin was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and was assigned as a patrol watch commander. As a lieutenant, he also served as a Yorba Linda Area Commander and di-rected the recruiting effort for the entire department. In September of 2007, Jack returned to the Professional Standards Unit, this time as the unit’s manager. He served in this capacity until his promotion to Captain in May of 2008. “I am honored to be selected Brea’s next Chief of Police, and proud to be part of such of such an outstanding organization” said Jack Conklin. “I am committed to working alongside the men and women of the Brea Police Department to continue to deliver exceptional public safety services to the communities of Brea and Yorba Linda.” Captain Conklin was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Huntington Beach. He is a graduate of Mater Dei High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies and a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute. Chief Bill Hutchinson has served the communities of Brea and Yorba Linda since 1981 rising through the ranks of the Brea Police Department. Hutchinson was appointed Brea Police Chief June, 2008. [ ###

At the November 11, 2010 Council meeting, I proposed the following amendment to the policy guiding the use of the Yorba Linda Community Center lawn area. This was in response to a problem I became aware of after the last North Orange County Conservative Coalition event held there in support of Council candidates John Anderson and Tom Lindsey.

The issues:

• Only a noise permit was required to hold this large-scale event on the Community Center lawn. This event was advertised for weeks prior to the gathering and does not meet the test of spontaneous political gatherings protected by freedom of speech.
• Instructors cancelled classes community members paid to attend because of anticipated parking problems posed by two previous gatherings.
• No insurance was required to indemnify the City. All other groups using the community center or parks have to show proof of insurance.
• No “hold harmless” agreement was signed.
• During the event, two uniformed Police officers, assigned to Yorba Linda,  were in attendance instead of patrolling our community. This was at the City of Yorba Linda’s expense.
• At this time, anyone can use the lawn for small or large group events by obtaining only a noise permit if you plan on having amplified music or speeches. There is no other requirement to have parties, weddings, etc…

My suggestions:

• All large groups intending to use the Yorba Linda Community Center lawn, or any park area, need to apply for a use permit.
• Scheduling of these areas should be coordinated with existing classes and/or events to avoid residents missing classes/ or normally scheduled events.
• Private groups are to supply proof of insurance.
• Private groups are to sign a hold harmless agreement to indemnify the City.
• Security should be paid for by the group hosting the event.
• There should be a charge for use of the Community Center lawn, commensurate with charges used for the rental of rooms, to cover the increase foot traffic load on the lawn, building amenities, and staff.

My intention is not to limit freedom of speech, but to make sure the City is protected from lawsuits due to possible injury and the cost of the event lies with the hosting group.

City of Yorba Linda

PO Box 87014, Yorba Linda CA  92885

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2010

CONTACT:            Lauren Cochran, Management Assistant

(714) 961-7128

Jan Duwe selected as Yorba Linda’s 2010 Citizen of the Year

This City-sponsored award is designed to recognize Yorba Linda residents whose local volunteer work has had a significant and recognizable impact on the quality of life in Yorba Linda.

Jan Duwe, also known as “the lemon bar lady”, is a woman with a true servant’s heart. Describing herself as a worker but never as a boss or chief, she is quick to say that there are so many others who are more deserving of recognition than herself. Yet, those around her see her decades of service to her community as making her worthy of respect and admiration.

Jan, her husband Dick, and their two daughters moved to Yorba Linda from Wisconsin in 1971. She began her acts of service to the community almost immediately, becoming a volunteer for the Welcome Wagon.  Jan then became part of the Ways and Means group of the Welcome Wagon. She fondly remembers visiting local nursing homes to play bingo with the residents and spend time talking with people who enjoyed her attention. This was the group, she says, that taught her the most about Yorba Linda’s history and culture.

Out of this initial service, came the invitation to join The Littlest Angel Guild of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). This is the charity that has become the focus of Jan’s volunteer work. Over the years, she has participated in most facets of this organization, including packaging holiday cards and working for the success of boutiques and home tours. While Jan appreciates working with the ladies who have been with this organization for many years, she is always happy to welcome a new member, a younger woman who is ready to give her time and energy to this cause. She is an amazing mentor and motivator.

The Registrar of Voters has also benefitted from Jan’s desire to be of service. For many years, her garage served as a polling place. Now she volunteers at the polls for nearly every election, going wherever she is sent and serving with a smile on her face.

Perhaps one of the most fulfilling of Jan’s services is to her church, Grace Lutheran. The church began meeting in the Duwe’s living room in 1975 and now is at its permanent location on Fairmont Boulevard. Jan’s talented hands have created numerous banners that adorn the sanctuary, and those same hands still write letters of welcome to Sunday morning guests. Jan is a craftswoman who makes ceramic figures and jewelry, presenting them to friends and family. Every child in the church receives a Christmas ornament and an Easter knick-knack made by their beloved Mrs. Duwe. Young families in the congregation regularly benefit from Jan’s incredible recipes, but her lemon bars are always the star of the show.

Those lemon bars, along with various wonderful cookie recipes, tend to show up wherever Jan is. Any physician who has treated Jan, any gardener or handyman who has done work for her, any ailing friend or acquaintance can expect a gift of her bars, cookies, or homemade chicken soup. While Jan has certainly put in her time as a volunteer in community and charity work it is perhaps, her attention to individuals that makes her such an awe-inspiring person and asset to our community. Notes of encouragement, phone calls of comfort, and visits of care fill Jan’s daily calendar.  At the age of 85, she still drives the freeways, still attends adult school classes, and still makes service to her community a part of her daily life.

The citizen of the year was selected by a Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee based on nominations submitted by the public.  Several nominees were considered this year. Review criteria included the selflessness of the work, the variety of community work performed, the length of time the nominee has been involved in community service, and the nominee’s current volunteer efforts.

Mrs. Duwe will receive the 2010 Citizen of the Year Award at the Yorba Linda City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 6:30pm.  Mrs. Duwe was recognized for her efforts in the community and beyond as well as the other nominees.

A community meeting was held January 27, 2010 to present the Equestrian Feasibility study commissioned by the majority council.Approximately 75-10 people were in attendance. The study was narrow in focus, studying only one site within Yorba Linda, located on County property above the dam along side the lakebed. The results of the study are summarized as follows:

There are three available parcels in the lakebed dam area for potential development:
1. Along Lakeview: 3.3 acres
• There are three active oil wells on that pad that requires a service area left available for use
• Would potentially require widening of the pad adding to the cost
• Would potentially require a signal at Lakeview for safe ingress/ egress
• A member of the community asked how this area would be affected by the grade separation project planned for that area.

2. South of the dam: 4.4 acres
• There are two active oil wells near by
• The site is close to a school and residential property
• The area is in a valley that has limited air circulation and is not esthetically pleasing
• The site will require significant grading and slope easements

3. East of the dam off Ridge Way: 7.0 acres
• Near residential area with local street access
• Easiest to develop, less protected habitat concerns
• access issues: possible emergency exit or site for smaller stable/ arena usage

Some Key points made by the consultants and the community members who spoke:
1. This site overall is very challenging.
2. Two options were identified. Option one included a covered arena, stalls and various other amenities. Option two, a commercial option that housed a vet practice, an open arena and stalls
3. Costs range for Option one was: $5.5 M to $12.7 M; Option two was $3.5 M to 8.7 M
4. Where are the funds coming from? One speaker mentioned, “the same place we get the money for the ball fields”. The Country Riders President mentioned, there are grants and private donations available. No information was presented regarding a business plan or verified sources of funding.
5. About 20% of Yorba Linda horse owners board their animals outside Yorba Linda. At times, this is because they board where their trainer is located.
6. Orange County has lost approximately 2000 boarding stalls in the past 20 years
7. The 88 acre lakebed property is owned by Orange County Flood Control. Staff has indicated, if we wanted to build a project on a portion of the land, they County would require us to be responsible for the entire 88 acres. Due to the erosion and maintenance issues in the area, some speakers were concerned with the City becoming liable for the entire area.
8. In the 1990’s many equestrian facilities went bankrupt. The supply and demand for this type of facility is “squishy” and is adversely affected by the economy, usually it takes a longer time to recover once the economy improves.
9. The current trend: people are giving up their horses
10. There is limited outlook for an elaborate plan. If this plan would go forward, best to stick to basics.
11. Resident concerns:
• Need to preserve the lakebed, avoid over-utilization of the area adding to the erosion problems the area is already experiencing
• Access points onto residential streets for trailers, trucks and increased small streets.
• Safety of horse trailer ingress and egress on Lakeview.
• Questioned why only one site was studied. This was the majority Council direction.
• Why is this being funded with City funds for a small % of the population?
• Why not just cover the Paxton center?
• The past owner of one of the El Cajon stables, stated his stables were not filled to capacity and it was difficult to break even. Stated the cost to run and maintain 125 stalls would require stall fees of about $600-700/ month to break even. He was not in favor of this project being City owned and operated.
12. Some residents stated they would move their horses from outlying stables if we had a facility in Yorba Linda.
13. Yorba Linda has two stable facilities: one is private requiring lessons for horses boarded there. The other is public and is not full to capacity.

To View the Power Point made at the Community center regarding this study go to:
http://tinyurl.com/yjl6y3u
To View Prior posts regarding this topic on this site go to: http://tinyurl.com/lhflr8