Orange Empire Chorus Sings the National Anthem

The Orange Empire Chorus opened the end-of-the-year city council meeting with the National Anthem and a Christmas song. Men who enjoy singing are invited to join their rehearsals every Tuesday at 7pm at Fullerton Presbyterian Church. For more details, visit, oechorus.org.

Fullerton Council Celebrates New Member and Honors Bruce Whitaker’s Legacy

The Fullerton City Council recently welcomed new and returning members. Fred Jung was elected for District 1, Nick Dunlap for District 2, and Jamie Valencia for District 4. The council adopted a resolution to certify these transitions.

Judge Shawn Nelson officiated the swearing-in of Jung, who then administered the oath to Valencia. Notably, Dunlap’s children swore in their father.

Mayor Dunlap celebrated the evening, stating, “We are here to honor the re-election of several council members and welcome a new member while acknowledging the retirement of Bruce Whitaker.” He expressed gratitude for Whitaker’s service and presented him with a service plaque. He also gave a bouquet to his wife, Linda, humorously adding, “Happy wife, happy life.”

Former Mayor Chris Norby paid tribute to Whitaker, saying, “On behalf of the voters and residents, thank you for your service.”

In his farewell address, Whitaker reflected on his 21 years in public service, humorously noting how his two-year term turned into 14 years. He emphasized the need for affordable municipal services, acknowledged challenges faced during his tenure, and thanked the community for their engagement.

Fullerton Sister City Association

The Fullerton Sister City Association announced that it is seeking to select Junior Ambassador delegates for an upcoming delegation trip to Tolo this summer from June 20 to July 1, 2025. Current 8th graders through high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Applications are now open. The Fullerton Sister City Association will have an informational meeting on January 8th at the Fullerton Public Library. If you have questions or need more information, you can reach out via email to Leah Yamamoto at fscayamamoto@gmail.com.

City Council Considers Appointment of Retired Officer as Interim Range Master

During a recent meeting, Mr. Manfro proposed a resolution to appoint David Benedict, a retired Police Services representative, as the interim range master for the police department. This appointment will ensure operational continuity while a permanent replacement is sought.

Benedict will train current staff and the future range master, utilizing his specialized skills as a retired annuitant. Under California law, he can work without reinstatement, provided he does not exceed 960 hours annually. A typical 180-day waiting period before hiring a retired annuitant can be waived by council action.

Council member Charles thanked the current range master for his years of service. The council approved the appointment unanimously.

City Council Meeting Sees Heated Debate Over Mayoral Reappointment

At the City Council meeting on December 17, 2024, tensions ran high as residents gathered to witness a contentious discussion surrounding the reappointment of Fred Jung as mayor.

The meeting marked the first appearance of Jamie Valencia, the newly elected council member from District 4, and served as a farewell tribute to retiring member Bruce Whitaker.

Central to the debate was the city’s Fair Rotation Policy (Policy No. 226), which mandates that the mayor pro tem automatically ascends to the role of mayor after one year, thereby limiting any mayor’s term to just one year. Seniority within the council is determined by the number of consecutive years served without serving as mayor or mayor pro tem.

District 5 Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra’s exclusion from the nomination process drew significant scrutiny, with over 10 residents including former mayor Jan Flory expressing concerns over fairness and advocating for Zahra to be voted in as next mayor. Critics labeled the selection system as “rigged,” favoring certain council members in their pursuit of leadership roles.

Tensions escalated when Mayor Nick Dunlap nominated Councilmember Shana Charles for mayor, bypassing the Fair Rotation Policy established in 2010. Many residents believed that Zahra, the first council member from District 5 in a century, deserved the appointment.

In a surprising twist, Charles declined the nomination and instead threw her support behind Zahra, signaling a strong commitment to fairness.
The dynamics shifted further when Jung was self-nominated as mayor, creating divides among council members. The ensuing vote resulted in a deadlock of 2-2-1, with Charles and Zahra backing Zahra’s candidacy, while Dunlap supported Charles. Newcomer Valencia sided with Jung, citing their close working relationship, which had developed during her narrow victory over Kitty Jaramillo in the recent election, aided by Jung’s mentorship.

In a dramatic late-game flip, Dunlap switched his support to Jung, ensuring the votes for reappointment were secured amid considerable public backlash. The meeting underscored persistent concerns about equity and transparency within city governance, prompting residents to call for a review of the council’s decision-making processes.

The nomination for mayor pro tem also sparked debate when Jung suggested Dunlap for the role. However, Dunlap opted to support Charles instead. While Charles re-nominated Zahra, the majority eventually selected Charles for the position.

Both Zahra and Charles delivered impassioned speeches that underscored the necessity for representation for districts 3 and 5 in both the mayoral and mayor pro tem roles.

Charles noted the historic implications of Zahra’s election (and subsequent re-election) as the first representative in 100 years for Fullerton’s Southside and advocated for the need to prioritize constituent interests above personal disputes.

Jung and Dunlap along with outgoing council member Whitaker have publically demonstrated animosity toward Zahra prompting speculation and many rumors. The council members continue to evade answering questions as to what is behind their disrespectful behavior.

During public comment, the majority of attendees voiced their support for maintaining the Fair Rotation Policy and endorsing Zahra’s nomination. Nevertheless, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when George Bushala Jr. criticized Zahra, repeating previously circulated disinformation.
This prompted an emotional response from audience members, with current and former Fullerton Observer editors shouting “disinformation” and “lies” before leaving the meeting.

Despite Zahra’s attempts to respond, he was interrupted by Dunlap, who escalated the meeting’s tensions by banging his gavel and shouting for everyone to allow Bushala Jr. to continue speaking.

Zahra was eventually allowed to respond to allegations made by Bushala Jr., asserting his commitment to representing marginalized neighborhoods rather than pursuing personal gain. He expressed disappointment over slander regarding his voting record and personal life. He called for the community to reflect on shared values, urging respect and unity.

Charles, a representative of District 3, echoed the need for inclusive leadership while reaffirming her support for Zahra’s mayoral candidacy. As a professor at California State University, Fullerton, she emphasized the ongoing inequities faced by District 5.

“District 5 has been excluded from the mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem position,” Charles stated. “This lack of representation is unjust for our poorest district.”

Charles further criticized the influence of wealthier District 1 and District 2 and noted the absence of a mayor from District 5 for the past century. She expressed concern over attempts by some District 1 representatives to stifle dissenting voices.

As the council looks towards a new leadership era, Charles underscored the importance of equity and representation. “This is a fresh start, and we must prioritize fairness and inclusivity moving forward,” she concluded.
Zahra echoed this sentiment in his address saying, “This is about our city coming together to ensure everyone has direct representation from the mayor,” Zahra said urging both council members and residents to prioritize communal interests over personal grievances.

He cautioned against any biases directed towards District 5, stating, “I urge everyone not to penalize District 5 simply because you dislike me.”
Zahra acknowledged the council’s history of unity on many issues despite past disagreements on specific projects.