Last month, the Anaheim City Council approved a purchase and sale agreement for 153 acres including and around Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
The purchase and sale agreement is the first step of a three-step process that would see the Angels play in Anaheim at least through 2050 with potential development around the stadium and potential community benefits.
In the coming months, we will begin the next step of the process, with more opportunities for public input.
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Big A, Big History: Throwback Anaheim
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Anaheim has a decades-long tradition of baseball. In honor of a historic move by the City Council late last year, let's take a look back at some Angels Baseball history.
Click image to play video
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Anaheim Kid Selected as Mayor Pro Tem
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Last month, my Council colleagues appointed me as Mayor Pro Tem for the 2020 term. I thank each of them for their confidence in me. I am both honored and humbled to be selected for this position.
I was born and raised in Anaheim and dedicated most of my adult life to serving Anaheim in various capacities. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to a good year ahead.
Fun Fact:
Charles Pearson, Anaheim’s mayor for 19 years and after whom our historic downtown park is named, was my neighbor
.
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Christmas at Miraloma Family Resource Center
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The holiday spirit was bright at Miraloma Family Resource Center in December, when I joined Anaheim Police and Community Services for their Christmas event.
The Canyon High School girls soccer team and coach brought Christmas ornaments for all of the kids to decorate. Teresa, the manager of the Resource Center, does a phenomenal job running this
amazing resource
.
Fun Fact:
Miraloma Family Resource Center opened on Aug. 4, 2015 and today serves roughly 6,000 kid
s.
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Anna Drive’s annual Posada is an event the entire community looks forward to every year.
The evening showcases a reenacting of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession extends the entire length of Anna Drive.
Santa Claus arrived after the procession and helped distribute gifts to all the neighborhood children.
This year's gifts were provided by
Mayor Harry Sidhu
, Anaheim Police Cops4Kids, Congressman Lou Correa, Anaheim Fire & Rescue and me.
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Casa Garcia Toy Drive
Frank Garcia of La Casa Garcia opened his doors early in December to bring Christmas joy to many children. Susan and I were privileged to help Frank and his volunteers hand out donated toys for two hours.
Hot chocolate and fresh Krispy Kreme donuts were a big hit with everyone, but the look of delight on the youngsters' faces were priceless as they visited with Santa and chose a toy.
Casa Garcia is on Chapman Avenue, immediately east of Harbor Boulevard.
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Giving to Families
The Orange County Family Justice Center held its annual Christmas party for the more than 70 families that were adopted during the year.
I want to thank OCFJC staff and their volunteers for all they do in serving families in need. Anaheim Police, as well as Anaheim Fire & Rescue were also on hand with free helmets for the kids.
My family, with help from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim, adopted one of the families in need.
It touched our hearts to meet and spend time with them and know we were making a difference in their lives.
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Improving the Neighborhood
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I arranged an informal meeting last month for the Acacia-Benmore-Canfield neighborhood regarding the concerns about traffic, homeless under the 91 Freeway bridge and neighborhood lighting.
Our discussions at the meeting will lead to traffic data collection, a possible new pedestrian crossing and free dusk to dawn lights from Anaheim Public Utilities.
This is one of many steps we've taken to address issues in this important neighborhood. The recent cleanup of the 91 Freeway bridge on Acacia was a great step for the parents and students at Edison School.
Thank you to all our staff who are committed to helping this neighborhood.
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East Street/91 Freeway Cleanup
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Upon my request, Caltrans worked with our Public Works team to thoroughly clean the East Street underpass below the 91 Freeway.
The ongoing homeless encampment under the bridge had created a significant problem for the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.
Projects like this can take time to coordinate, since the city does not own the property.
We had to coordinate with Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, Public Works, Police and Code Enforcement.
I am pleased that we were able to complete this relatively quickly for the neighborhood.
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Coffee with Council Member
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We held a Coffee and Donuts with the Council Member event in the South Street-Santa Ana River neighborhood. Despite the drizzle, we met many of our neighbors and a few of their pets as well.
Our Anaheim Police K9 unit dropped by and we met Titan, one of our German Shepherd team members.
We offered city information and helped a few of our residents download the My Anaheim app on their cell phones. Thank you to all who dropped by for a visit, its always nice to meet our neighbors.
Fun Fact:
Our K9s have 225 million scent receptors, compared to 5 million in humans. They can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
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Susan and I continued the holiday spirit at the Meritage Vocal Arts Ensemble’s "An American Christmas" concert at the Anaheim United Methodist Church.
The afternoon was full of many of our favorite Christmas songs. The audience even got involved in the singing.
The Meritage Ensemble has been in Anaheim for almost 30 years and is a great community treasure. Their next show will be on Sunday, March 29 at 4 p.m.
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We remembered and honored National Homeless Persons Memorial Day at “The Longest Night” on the winter solstice.
This year's event recognized 207 people living in homelessness we lost in Orange County. My friend, Tim Houchen, has organized this at the Anaheim Cemetery since 2014.
I want to extend my appreciation and gratitude for all that participated and attended this solemn reminder of the struggles of homelessness.
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The Anaheim Ballet's annual performance of "The Nutcracker" is always a hit.
As part of Anaheim Elementary School District's incorporation of arts into the school curriculum, ballet Executive Director Larry Rosenberg and
Superintendent Chis Downing
arranged a special performance for the students at City National Grove of Anaheim.
It was great to see the fascination and interest in the faces of the students, many of whom had never attended a live performance of this type. Thank you to sponsors Disneyland, Macy’s and Aetna for providing this wonderful opportunity for our children.
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Upcoming Meetings
- Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. City Council Meeting
- Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. City Council Meeting
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Paid for by Faessel for City Council 2020
FPPC ID No. 1396020
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