Fenwick's activism helps needy
(Note: This is the complete column of a slightly edited version that appeared in the Star.)
I’m afraid one of my civic heroes, community activist Sue Fenwick, will be unhappy with this week’s column. She’ll say I devoted too much space to her and too little to the causes she represents.
Since the holiday period is an especially busy time for Fenwick, maybe she won’t notice, but if she does, I’ll explain that the worthiness of her numerous endeavors is a given with Yorba Linda residents.
Fenwick is active in all aspects of community life, including the political arena, where she’s worked to preserve the city’s historical heritage and low-density environment by raising funds and walking precincts for City Council candidates with similar goals.
In fact, if Fenwick’s advice for council to create a blue-ribbon citizens committee to make recommendations regarding Old Town redevelopment had been heeded in 2005, the city could have avoided the fractious wrangling of 2006.
Fenwick was a California delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and she’s been active at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church and in the Interfaith Council.
Fenwick directs a charity that markets handcrafts made by the poor in projects sponsored by missionary and Peace Corps volunteers. The charity has a shop in Old Towne Orange and sells the crafts at area churches, including recently at Yorba Linda Presbyterian.
Also, Fenwick will make her third Christmas Day visit to patients at the Long Beach Veterans hospital along with local vet group members. Residents can help by calling Fenwick at 777-4551 to arrange pick up for donated items needed by patients.
Fenwick says vets need white socks, cans of nuts, novels, crossword puzzle books, hygiene items and gift bags of apples, oranges, cookies and sugarless and regular candy. They plan another trip Valentine’s Day, and Fenwick can arrange transportation for both.
Of course, Fenwick continues to raise funds for the armed forces memorial at Veterans Park, with dedication now set for July 4. She says contractor Gary Brattain, whose son Joel died in Iraq, is donating design work to help meet a stepped-up schedule.
A FINAL NOTE
The Town Center Blue Ribbon Committee report wisely asks City Council to create a watchdog group to keep an eye on the downtown planning process.
The proposed Town Center Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee would “uphold” the blue ribbon body’s recommendations during planning stages as well as provide input that supports a community vision for Old Town.
The group would help the current council avoid the mistakes of the past council, which allowed planning to occur behind closed-door ad hoc committee meetings.
I’m afraid one of my civic heroes, community activist Sue Fenwick, will be unhappy with this week’s column. She’ll say I devoted too much space to her and too little to the causes she represents.
Since the holiday period is an especially busy time for Fenwick, maybe she won’t notice, but if she does, I’ll explain that the worthiness of her numerous endeavors is a given with Yorba Linda residents.
Fenwick is active in all aspects of community life, including the political arena, where she’s worked to preserve the city’s historical heritage and low-density environment by raising funds and walking precincts for City Council candidates with similar goals.
In fact, if Fenwick’s advice for council to create a blue-ribbon citizens committee to make recommendations regarding Old Town redevelopment had been heeded in 2005, the city could have avoided the fractious wrangling of 2006.
Fenwick was a California delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and she’s been active at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church and in the Interfaith Council.
Fenwick directs a charity that markets handcrafts made by the poor in projects sponsored by missionary and Peace Corps volunteers. The charity has a shop in Old Towne Orange and sells the crafts at area churches, including recently at Yorba Linda Presbyterian.
Also, Fenwick will make her third Christmas Day visit to patients at the Long Beach Veterans hospital along with local vet group members. Residents can help by calling Fenwick at 777-4551 to arrange pick up for donated items needed by patients.
Fenwick says vets need white socks, cans of nuts, novels, crossword puzzle books, hygiene items and gift bags of apples, oranges, cookies and sugarless and regular candy. They plan another trip Valentine’s Day, and Fenwick can arrange transportation for both.
Of course, Fenwick continues to raise funds for the armed forces memorial at Veterans Park, with dedication now set for July 4. She says contractor Gary Brattain, whose son Joel died in Iraq, is donating design work to help meet a stepped-up schedule.
A FINAL NOTE
The Town Center Blue Ribbon Committee report wisely asks City Council to create a watchdog group to keep an eye on the downtown planning process.
The proposed Town Center Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee would “uphold” the blue ribbon body’s recommendations during planning stages as well as provide input that supports a community vision for Old Town.
The group would help the current council avoid the mistakes of the past council, which allowed planning to occur behind closed-door ad hoc committee meetings.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
<< Home