In a classic case of “out of sight, out of mind,” the City of Fullerton has chosen to keep its residents informed by burying important news in the depths of the “Fullerton News Tribune”—once Fullerton’s local newspaper, which dissolved years ago and is now reduced to a single page primarily for legal notices within the Orange County Register.

This has seemingly become the city’s go-to method for ticking off the “public notification” item on its checklist. But don’t worry, social media fans! Occasionally, the City treats us to a flashy post on Instagram.

Backup documents regarding proposed amendments to the city’s noise ordinance (see below), which will be discussed at the June 25, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, state that the public was notified through the Tribune on March 14, 2024.

The city claims it has notified all downtown businesses, but here’s the kicker: the Fullerton Observer’s office is conveniently located in the heart of downtown and yet received no notice regarding the Zoning Ordinance Amendment aimed at updating commercial noise standards and permitting limited outdoor entertainment. Clearly, not everyone got the memo.

The Fullerton Observer—a free online and print publication—has been left in the dark despite offering to publish city notices at no cost. Why spread the word when you can simply whisper it into the void? Maybe that’s the point.

So, as the city puts on its best poker face and pats itself on the back for its “communication efforts,” one must wonder: Who, exactly, is the City of Fullerton trying to fool? If the goal is genuine transparency and community engagement, perhaps it’s time for a little less secrecy and a lot more clarity.

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