Public Comments

Todd Harrison:

“I have a lot to say on specific agenda items tonight, but I’ll keep my open comments brief and save the longer speeches for later. I have a simple request as I point to the three council members on stage with me. Please hold your tempers and keep it civil tonight. I would like one of you to pull item 9, the airport rehabilitation item, from the consent calendar so that I can comment on it. Fair warning: my wife, Yolanda, would be here tonight, but she is recovering from a recent hospital stay due to pneumonia. She hopes to be back next month, as she has a few important words for you, Mr. Mayor.”

Jensen Hallstrom:

“First off, I want to address a serious safety hazard that occurred on March 13th, which was also a very windy day. A few weeks ago, while biking along Harbor Blvd, just south of South St. Jude on the east side of the street, I noticed a significant issue. The entire slope west of the YMCA has been covered with plastic sheeting for quite some time. On March 13th, as I approached this slope, strong gusts of wind blew a large section of the plastic sheeting into Harbor Blvd, blocking almost the entire northbound lanes. It was astonishing to see how much plastic had been blown across the street.

“This situation not only highlights a serious safety hazard but also indicates irresponsible management that can lead to further erosion problems. I recorded videos of the incident, and I believe it would be beneficial to have a broader conversation about slope stabilization.

“Erosion is a significant problem citywide, especially in parks like Hillcrest and along Harbor Blvd north of Berkeley. There is a lot of potential for effective slope stabilization, but using plastic sheeting is not a viable solution. On that day, I even called the Fullerton Police Department because the hazard was so severe—drivers were completely obstructed by these large sheets of plastic, blocking their windshields. It’s embarrassing that such an incident could occur on our main street, Harbor Blvd, without being anticipated.

“I hope to see a solution that stabilizes that slope without resorting to plastic sheeting. If anyone is familiar with the area I’m talking about, I recommend checking it out.

“Lastly, I want to mention that Arbor Day is coming up on May 3rd at Laguna Lake. Thank you.”

James Noble:

“Fred Jung, we have spoken in the past when you were Mayor Pro Tem. I hope you remember me; it’s Father James Noble. I belong to the Order of Christ, established in 1410 A.D., and recognized by Bishop Todd Brown in the 1990s.

“The reason I’m reaching out to you now is that I am at my breaking point. I am requesting that the entire Police Department, from the chief down, be replaced by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department under contract. You can review my history; every time I have called the police, I have received poor treatment.

“Today, they were planning to destroy my property, which they took from private property, fully knowing it belonged to me. They are targeting me specifically. This does not happen to other homeless individuals. Last week, I was violently assaulted; a person grabbed my beard and yanked it, causing me whiplash and necessitating a visit to the hospital. The police did not arrest my assailant; instead, they charged me with assault, battery, and trespass. This is a blatant violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

“Let me refer back to my experience at a church affiliated with the Missouri Synod Lutheran. They did not want me there, and despite my pointing out the federal statutes regarding civil rights—U.S. Code Title 18, Section 13, and Section 248—the police said they would arrest me for petty theft with priors if I did not leave. This is an abuse of the system.

“About a year ago at a shopping center on Orangethorpe, I was hit by a car. I called the police and paramedics, but the police refused to arrest the driver for hitting me. Instead, they considered citing me for supposedly scratching his car. I later discovered that the police did not file a report for the auto accident; they put one in for vandalism instead. When I alerted them about their mistake, they refused to correct it.

“The conduct of your dispatchers is equally concerning. I recently tried to speak with the chief, but he could only placate me. This issue runs from the chief down. I urge you to replace the police department and contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which follows the laws without favoritism. It’s time to take action.”

Maureen Milton:

“Good evening, everyone. Mayor, Council, here we go again. AT&T is trying to cut landline service, and it’s only been a year since I first raised this issue. I have sent a copy of the letter to everyone I could reach. If you could write letters and, if possible, include those you wrote last year in the new ones, we would greatly appreciate it. Many people cannot use cell phones or smartphones, which is quite concerning. Additionally, cell phones do not provide automatic 911 information, which adds to the issue.

“Last February, when all the service went out at LAUSD, it really scared me. I recall reporters urging people, “If you know someone with a landline, please use it.” I would appreciate everyone writing a letter. I don’t expect you to sit through hearings as I did for eight hours—it was interesting, but I nearly had cauliflower ears by the end! Any letters you can send will be immensely appreciated.

“We do have a little more time this year than we did last year when I first received this information, so any help would be invaluable. If anyone in the chamber needs a copy of the letter to know who to write to, I would be happy to provide it. This is especially important for individuals with disabilities, as this issue is affecting people all across the state of California.

“If I have a moment, I also want to let everyone know that on the 31st, a plethora of laws regarding tax service were enacted on the House floor. These laws are very supportive of individuals and passed with bipartisan support. If you know anyone in fire-damaged areas or any other affected regions, encourage them to check into these new provisions. While it doesn’t mean they don’t have to pay their taxes, they are being given much more leeway. Thank you.

Karen Lloreda:

“First, I would like to address the mayor. I urge you to follow a more traditional process in handling agenda items. There seems to be inconsistency in how you manage this. First, you should call the item, and then request the staff presentation. This approach allows audience members with questions to get answers during the staff presentation. After that, you can invite public comments. This way, the public can express their concerns and seek clarification on what they don’t understand. By doing so, council members can take note of the public’s concerns and, during their turn, ask the staff for further clarification. The goal of this process is to promote greater transparency and understanding, and I would appreciate it if you could adhere to these protocols.

ON ZOOM

Jose Trinidad Castaneda:

“I want to address the City Council meetings from two sessions ago and highlight a couple of important points. To clarify, I serve on the Community Development Citizens Committee, but I’m not speaking on behalf of that committee today.

“During the last City Council meeting, we discussed the Charter City citation, which set the stage for much-needed civic engagement. I believe this engagement should be more refined, facilitated, and directed toward positive outcomes. Councilmember Zahra, you went on quite a tirade, indicating that you do not trust your council colleagues and feel you cannot work with them. To summarize, if you feel you cannot work with them, then you are essentially wasting everyone’s time by being there.

“As the former vice chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County, which covers Fullerton and the northern region, I want to emphasize that your actions reflect a concerning pattern of lack of transparency, poor decision-making, and questionable ethics. I won’t delve deeper than that, but I’m sure you understand my point. If you are going to make accusations and create a narrative based on fear-mongering and retaliatory claims, it deviates significantly from the original image you presented when you first ran for office in 2018. You claimed you wanted to be on the City Council to help realize the dreams of two little girls for a better future. I find that difficult to reconcile, especially since it would have been more effective to communicate directly with their parents.

“You have strayed far from your initial intentions, and I question whether you are truly satisfied in your role. It appears that you are projecting your insecurities and deep-seated mistrust onto those around you, making it everyone’s problem.”

ZJ:

“I want to take a moment to recognize National Volunteer Month and Autism Awareness Month. Dr. Ahmad Zahra spoke about kindness during the last two meetings. He expressed his love for the city of Fullerton and stated that he has no aspirations for a higher political office, which is admirable. Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone on the council shares those same values, morals, or ethics.

“As we consider changes to the city’s charter, it’s worth examining the motives behind such changes. Based on my experience attending these meetings over the last three years, some questions need to be asked.

“For instance, at the last meeting, JV was asked to vote on a Planning Commission appointment by Dr. Zahra, but Nick Dunlap was absent. When City Clerk Ms. Williams took the vote, JV claimed she didn’t recognize the appointment or had seen the resume. Mayor Fred pointed out that it was included in an email, to which she replied that she would look it up later and wanted to proceed with the other votes first.

“When the voting process began, JV stated she couldn’t open her computer and therefore couldn’t see the necessary information. However, just moments later, as Fred Jung had voted, she managed to cast her vote to approve the appointment. This situation raises concerns about how council members approach voting and decision-making in our meetings. It was evident to everyone present, including Mr. Harrison, Ms. Williams, the chief of police, and the fire chief, how challenging it was for some to vote without first knowing how their aligned group was voting.

“As a representative from District 4, I am disappointed because I have not seen many votes that align with my position.

George Bushala:

“I’m here tonight to address two interconnected issues that have significant implications for our community. First, I’d like to bring attention to Mr. Zahra’s past actions. When he arrived in the United States in the mid-1990s, he settled in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he married an American woman named Michelle Salmon. This is noteworthy because Mr. Zahra has publicly claimed to have always known he was gay, which raises questions about his motivations for marrying a woman. Shortly after, he relocated to Los Angeles, leaving his wife in Arkansas, and a few years later, he divorced Michelle.

Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra interrupted, saying, “This is personal in nature and it’s slanderous; it’s not city business.”

Mayor Fred Jung responded, “We’ll hear the public comment.”

He is familiar with the scrutiny as he had to sit through multiple public comments accusing him of an affair with then-Irvine City Councilmember Tammy Kim, who was also his colleague on the Orange County Power Authority board.

Zahra stated, “I have a right to address this. This is a personal accusation.”

Jung replied, “They have a right to make public comments.”

Zahra continued, “Ask the city attorney.”

Jung said, “I will ask him now. Sir?”

City Attorney Dick Jones responded to the prompt, “They are invoking your sexuality, so they may be liable for slander if this is the case.”

Bushala interjected, “I was not finished.”

Zahra responded, “Why is this relevant? I can marry whom I want.”

Bushala asked, “May I please reclaim some of my time?”

Jung granted him permission.

Bushala continued, “A few years later, he conveniently divorced Michelle once his residency had been established. This sequence of events seems more than coincidental and suggests potential marriage fraud, which is a serious offense. It’s disturbing to think that Mr. Zahra’s first action in the United States was to violate federal law. Many people in Fullerton have been misled by Mr. Zahra, particularly the publishers of the Fullerton Observer.

“This brings me to my second issue: the Observer‘s consistent dissemination of misinformation and biased reporting. The publication has a history of ignoring critical stories, such as Mr. Zahra’s assault and battery case [Editors Note: The Fullerton Observer did report on this in 2020 and that it was dismissed by the DA], and the recent Scott Markowitz fraud case [Editors Note: The Fullerton Observer did report on this in 2024], where Sharon Kennedy appeared to be coaching and exonerating one of the individuals involved [Editors Note: What is he talking about?]. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the Fullerton Observer prioritizes political bias and personal opinions over factual reporting [Editors Note: It is clear that young. Bushala does not read the Observer]. The publication is notorious for its lack of editing, poor writing, and snide innuendos. The editor’s comments inserted into letters to the editor are particularly egregious.

“In an amusing turn, the Observer even misidentified me as my uncle, demonstrating their journalistic incompetence. Furthermore, the Kennedy sisters have consistently blurred the lines between reporting and manufacturing news, often promoting their own activism as grassroots movements. This blatant disregard for journalistic ethics is appalling, especially considering their absence of ethical standards. On a personal note, I have experienced the Observer‘s malicious behavior firsthand; during the December meeting, the Kennedy sisters attempted to shout me down before being escorted out by the police. For years, the Observer has engaged in gossip-mongering.”

[Editors Note: Sharon and Saskia are not sisters; they are mother and daughter. Sharon retired in 2019, and Jesse La Tour served as the editor until 2023. Saskia is now the current editor of the 47-year-old all-volunteer newspaper. It is true that I, Saskia Kennedy, am not formally trained as an editor or journalist, except for that one journalism class at Fullerton College in 1988. The *Fullerton Observer* is news by the people, for the people. We strive to get the truth out so everyone can know what is happening and determine the level at which they want to be involved. This can lead to initiatives like Saving Coyote Hills or the Fox Theater restoration, advocating for a trail, or celebrating a 103-year-old member of our community.

This newspaper exists because all the volunteers love this community and believe in its potential for improvement. This is our home, and we are committed to its upkeep.

As for Dr. Ahmad Zahra, I believe he is honorable and transparent. He explains his decisions to the public clearly. While I may not always agree with his choices, I understand the reasoning behind them.

CLARIFICATION in bold was added on APRIL 22nd: As for the accusation that I yelled at young Bushala at a city council meeting, that is true. The Observer reported on that. Yes, I am very outspoken. I will not allow the young Bushala or the old Bushala to spread falsehoods about the Observer. They seem to think that if they repeat these lies often enough, people will believe them, and unfortunately, some do.] 

Curtis Gamble:

“I am an activist for the homeless, veterans, OCTA bus drivers, Cal State Fullerton students, and seniors in the low-income community. I’d like to address some important items: an item regarding emergency shelter, an item concerning the motel voucher program, and an item about The Fullerton Observer. I want to share some recommendations I will just read them off quickly.

“In Orange County, with its 34 cities, municipal codes address emergency shelters, recuperative care, medical respite, bridge housing, and low-barrier navigation centers. The definition of emergency shelter for the homeless includes housing with minimum support services. All services provided to the homeless are limited to an occupancy of six months or less, and shelter is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“According to Municipal Code 15.042, the length of stay for an individual client shall not exceed six months within a 12-month period; however, the days of stay do not need to be consecutive. Municipal Code 15.042.05 states that shelters open more than 12 hours per day shall provide support services for the homeless.

“Additionally, a covered and secured area should be provided for bicycle parking, with a minimum of eight bicycle parking spaces required. Facilities must be located within a ½ mile radius of an OCTA bus stop, and according to Code 19.552.1206, stays at the facility shall be first-come, first-served. The facility must remain open 24 hours a day, but clients can only be admitted between 6pm and 8pm. Clients must check out by 8am, though they may remain on the premises during available hours.

“In Anaheim Municipal Code 05.02, the maximum length of stay for individuals shall not exceed 180 days within a 365-day period. Under Anaheim Municipal Code 18.38.125, religious and community assembly uses may be established on-site for emergency shelters with up to 50 occupants, without the need to amend the existing use permit.”

Diane:

“It’s interesting to hear public comments from those who have witnessed the same meeting but have different opinions. I would like to offer a counterpoint to one commenter regarding the Charter City issue, which arose suddenly without transparency about why it was happening.

“The purpose of allowing council members to speak is to hear everyone’s viewpoints, and I welcome Dr. Zahra’s perspective. It was helpful to see that side of the discussion, and I believe it educated many of us.

“Additionally, I would love to see our council implement a voting process similar to that of some other cities, where all votes are cast simultaneously. This way, it would reduce the visibility of how the voting is going, preventing any potential for abstaining or following someone else’s lead. If we could do this in our council chambers, it would help build trust in the process and be very beneficial.”

Helen Higgins:

“I am a 27-year resident of District 2, and I am appalled by what I just heard from George Bushala. It is inappropriate, and I cannot believe how this council repeatedly caters to the Bushala family. However, I will set that aside for now.

“I want to express my appreciation for Dr. Zahra’s continued support for his constituents. He not only serves District 5 well but goes beyond that district, willing to meet with others on various topics, even if they are not directly related to his area. He is a true representative of the city of Fullerton, and I wish that other district representatives at the dais would act similarly.

“I also want to second Karen Lloreda’s comments about the importance of providing more information to the public before we make our comments on different agenda items. Additionally, I support Diane Vena’s suggestion about voting all at the same time; it’s a fantastic idea.”

City Council Reports

Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra
“I wasn’t planning to make a report today to save time, but I do share my activities and opinions on social media, including Facebook and Instagram. Everyone is welcome to contact me anytime; I receive messages throughout the day to address and resolve issues. However, I feel it’s necessary to address some inaccuracies that have been said about me—accusations that are simply not true.

“This seems to be a common occurrence in public positions, but I believe our community deserves better. I have never slandered anyone. While I may have different political or policy opinions and I am passionate about my beliefs, which reflect those of the people who elected me, I feel it’s important that those who express criticism against me also disclose their affiliations with others on this council.

“For instance, Mr. Castaneda ran against me in 2018, claiming he was a resident of District 5, but he lost. He then moved to Buena Park and ran for office there, only to resign after being censured for divisive behavior on his council. Furthermore, he is directly involved in the campaigns of both Mr. Jung and Ms. Valencia. It’s crucial that we are transparent about our connections to be credible in our statements.

“I also want to clarify that Mr. Castaneda misquoted me. If you review the video, you will see that I did not claim this council was corrupt; I merely asked whether people would trust this council to create a charter and constitution for the city. This question was based on statistical evidence, as I referenced a survey indicating that the council had a 35% to 37% approval rating among city residents.

“It’s disheartening that some individuals feel the need to tarnish their family name by obsessing over me. Such fixation is perplexing, considering I do my job, fulfill my responsibilities, and then return to my busy personal life. I find it difficult to understand why I occupy so much of their thoughts, as I do not think about them.

“I hope we can engage in open discussions and encourage everyone to be transparent about their affiliations when making accusations. Above all, I urge everyone to remain respectful and kind. Lastly, I believe that my sexuality and my journey of coming out are personal matters that are nobody’s business but my own.”

Mayor Fred Jung

“I can’t confirm whether he worked on Council Member Valencia’s campaign; I don’t believe he did. So, your information about an apology may be incorrect. However, he did work on my first campaign, and I’m proud of that. He was fantastic.”

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shana Charles

“I want to be honest about my mental health journey and how weekly therapy has significantly helped me cope with various challenges and hardships. I don’t think the public is fully aware of what we, as council members, go through. Before public comments, we’re required to keep our expressions neutral and can’t respond until it’s our turn to speak. This can be quite difficult, especially as we are all human. It was particularly tough for me when a caller made an extremely anti-Semitic remark. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, and I know it has been challenging for Mayor June and other council members as well. I want to remind everyone that we are all doing our best, both up here and in the community, although at times it can be hard to believe that.

“This afternoon, I found it particularly challenging to maintain that belief. I was still in my pajamas well into the afternoon, struggling to get out of bed. After all, it is my spring break, and I should take some time for myself, but it’s also important to be here. This platform is my only opportunity to express what I believe is important. So if you would allow me a little extra time tonight, I would appreciate it. We don’t have a strict time limit on our comments.

“First, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in public comments. I believe these contributions come from a genuine desire to improve things. I appreciate those who bring issues to our attention, such as different voting procedures or other ways we can enhance our community. I want to commend our city staff for fixing a sign in Fullerton on Euclid. Those issues may not always be brought up during public comments, but they can be reported online, and you can use the My Fullerton app for feedback. It was the public interest in this matter that prompted our city staff to take action, and when the repairs were made, the community noticed and appreciated it. This sense of civic pride matters, and I acknowledge that we are often unaware of what we don’t know, so please continue to share that information with us.

“There are many positive developments happening in our city. I’m pleased to see our parks and recreation department thriving. I appreciate our deputy city manager being here, as I want to mention that for the past two weekends, I’ve enjoyed visiting the pop-up market in downtown Fullerton with my family. My child, who is on the autism spectrum, was just diagnosed with autism and a few other conditions. They often feel uncomfortable in public settings, but one of these pop-up markets was exciting enough for them to attend, which is a significant achievement for us as a family. It’s heartwarming to see people gathering in our community, with hundreds spending time at the Fullerton Museum Center and filling the restaurants downtown.

“However, it has been challenging to process the news at the national level. Two weekends ago, I participated in a panel on disability issues and rights hosted by a community group at a church downtown. It was an amazing experience to share my insights as both a public health professor and as mayor pro tem. I reflected on my personal history, particularly my involvement in advocating for the Affordable Care Act. For those of you who may not know, I played a role in passing the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare, which has provided health insurance to over 30 million people in this country. I’m proud of this accomplishment and would be happy to share more of that story with anyone interested over coffee.

“During that moment at the Capitol Rotunda, I realized that while I was advocating for the health of millions, it was also deeply personal for me as a parent of two special needs children. Their lives will be fundamentally affected by these policies, and that realization makes my work even more meaningful.”

Councilmember Nicholas Dunlap

“I’ll be brief. First, I want to congratulate the Saint Juliana Catholic community and the many kids who received their First Communion over the weekend. This marks the completion of an approximately two-year program, or if you’re like my eight-year-old, who we joke is the most Catholic eight-year-old in Fullerton, you may have gone through four years of classes because of an older sibling. Father Mike Pontarelli and James Abode, who run the program at Saint Juliana, do a fantastic job, and I know it’s an experience our family will cherish for a long time.

“I also want to give a big shout-out to the Fullerton High School Theater program. Two weeks ago, we had the opportunity to attend their production of “Mamma Mia!” and I must say, it was fantastic. Considering the other programs they’ve put on, the music and production were excellent. It was hard to believe these were only high school students! This truly reflects their talent and the quality of the program at Fullerton High School. It was a wonderful experience.

“Lastly, I would like to invite everyone to the launching of the Fullerton Punk exhibit at the Fullerton Museum Center on Saturday, April 5th. Tickets may already be sold out, but it promises to be a great event. For those who may not know, Fullerton has a rich history in punk rock dating back to the 1980s, when the city became an epicenter of the punk rock explosion, producing bands like Social Distortion and The Adolescents. A few of these bands will be performing on Saturday, and we’ll have, for the first time, some artifacts and music memorabilia on display from the collections of individuals like Mike Ness of Social Distortion fame. We’re very excited to recognize our city’s contributions to punk rock culture. That’s all I have.”

Mayor Fred Jung

I think they got the wind in their sails from Mike Ness. Last year, you did a good job, sir.”

Councilwoman Valencia

“Hi, thank you so much. I have a couple of things to discuss. Over the weekend, my son played baseball at East Fullerton Little League at Chapman Park, and there was an issue with the bathrooms there. I learned that there were problems with other public park bathrooms in the city during that time as well. However, the staff was very kind and courteous. They went above and beyond to figure out the reasons for the issues and are working on solutions to prevent similar problems in the future for our youth sports. I want to express my gratitude for their efforts in collaborating with the city and the youth sports leagues to support our kids. Thank you so much.

“Additionally, I requested the organizational chart of the city, and I appreciate having the information to help me understand the structure and components within it. I’m excited to learn more about how the city operates and how everyone is interconnected. I am still in my learning phase, having been in this role for three months, so I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.

I also want to address another issue. I know that Council Member Zahra went to one of my endorsers, whom I won fair and square. I successfully completed a 13-question survey and submitted my information. I participated in a panel with 18 people who asked me questions about my political campaign, my values, and what I aim to achieve for this city. I earned that endorsement on my own.

“However, I found out that Council Member Zahra pressured my endorser, insisting that he should support a different candidate instead. Despite this, my endorser chose not to dual endorse at first, but it ultimately ended up being a dual endorsement. As a result, I was unable to benefit from the promotion of that endorsement. Despite these challenges, I pressed on in my campaign and worked hard, ultimately finishing as a first runner-up.

I am proud of the effort I put into my campaign. I personally walked to over 3,000 houses to promote myself, with assistance only from my child. I did not engage in slandering my opponents; my campaign was solely about my own initiatives and ideas. I want to acknowledge the support I received from the police and fire departments and appreciate my endorsements from various organizations.

“In my three months in office, I have focused on building relationships in this city and learning its history since I have only lived here for four years. I know that some people reference my status as a newcomer, but I genuinely want to understand and connect with the history of Fullerton. I have met with representatives from the police, fire department, public works, code enforcement, and various other city departments. I am eager to learn more and help the city thrive.

“I have a strong interest in revitalizing our district with businesses that can fill vacant lots and contribute to our community’s prosperity. With the Olympics coming up, I hope to work closely with organizations like OC Live and LA to put Fullerton on the map. It is a work in progress, and I would greatly appreciate support rather than criticism at every meeting. While I respect everyone’s right to free speech, I also want to be recognized as an individual in my own right.”

[Editors Note: What she failed to mention, and for which she should have expressed gratitude, are the contributions from Bushala and John Saunders, as well as the significant donations from Fred Jung. She also received support from Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform (PAC). Tony Bushala and Jack Dean were the Committee’s Principal Officers, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission report in 2017, which handled the distribution of signs and mailers on her behalf.

She never condemned these practices, fully aware of their existence during the campaign and even now. It is that questionable money and those unethical tactics that led to her election, not her efforts in going door-to-door to engage with voters. Without accepting that money, she would not have been able to afford her own signs, yard signs, mailers, robocalls, and more.]