From: Claire Schlotterbeck [mailto:
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 5:00 PM
To: Claire Schlotterbeck
Subject: Good News for the Hills

HILLSIDE HERALD
Issue No. 38
September 22, 2006

CALSTATEFULLERTON PROFESSORS COME THROUGH
Yesterday afternoon new heroes stepped forward in the fight to save the Missing Middle of the Puente -Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor. As you know Shell-Aera has proposed 3,600 units on its 3,000 acres of natural lands above Rowland Heights (LA County) and Brea (OrangeCounty). This will generate an additional 40,000 vehicles trips a day on our streets.
In a thinly disguised effort to gain at least some support for the project, Shell-Aera approached the Cal State Fullerton Housing Authority to make a deal in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding.The mission of the Authority is to secure affordable housing for faculty and staff - certainly a worthy cause - but at what price? Shell-Aera offered 10% of its units to both Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) and Cal Poly Pomona. When the CSUF Academic Senate learned of the negotiations, opposition began to mount. In addition to the fact that many professors live in the area and know of our decades long preservation effort, many CSUF students over the years have studied the Wildlife Corridor. In the process they have provided data that has promoted its protection.
The item was placed on the agenda of the Academic Senate for yesterday's meeting. Speakers (professors) from across the campus rose to vehemently oppose further negotiations with Shell-Aera. The Academic Senate voted by a margin of 2-1 to send a letter to University President Gordon urging that negotiations be stopped. The President could go forward against the wishes of the Academic Senate but that would be somewhat unprecedented.
Hurray for those professors who spoke up for the quality of life of our area and spoke against participation in the destructive Aera project. Led by Professor Jonathan Taylor (Geography) they are: Professors Mike Russell (Philosophy), Bob Voeks (Geography), Vince Buck (Political Science), Nancy Fitch (History), Mark Shapiro (Physics), Scott Hewitt (Chemistry), Gayle Brunelle (History), Ken Walicki (Music), Scott Spitzer (Political Science), Kristi Kanel (Human Services), Jack Bedell (Sociology), Chuck Buck (retired Associate Vice President for Student Affairs) and David Fromson (Associate Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics). If we left anyone out - thank you anyway!
Despite protestations by the Housing Authority spokesman, who said something to the effect that the project "will go through with or without us, " the professors did not budge. Professor Michael Russell remembered well the lessons learned in the early 1990's when Santa Fe Energy gained the support and testimony of Cal State Fullerton for the Olinda Ranch project in Brea. When they were no longer needed, the deal fell apart and Cal State Fullerton was left with nothing but regret.
WILDLIFE EVENT TOMORROW-- SEPTEMBER 23
Tomorrow - September 23 at 11:00 a.m. the Puente-Chino Hills Task Force of the Sierra Club, along with the Habitat Authority, will be hosting, a free presentation on wildlife in the hills. This event will be held at the La Habra Heights Gymnasium at the Park - 1855 N. Hacienda Blvd. in La HabraHeights.The popular program will again feature rehabilitated or orphaned wildlife from The Nature of Wildworks. For more information visit
POWDERCANYON HIKE: OCTOBER 7th 9 am
Enjoy an easy hike and informational discussion of the Powder Canyon Ecological Area. 3 miles, 400' gain. Meet 9 am at the PowderCanyon Entrance. Fullerton Road, south of Pathfinder, west of Harbor, just past the Water District offices in Rowland Heights. Bring water and sunscreen. Rain cancels.
THANK YOU !!
Claire Schlotterbeck
Executive Director
Hills For Everyone

a project of Hills For Everyone

If you wish to be removed from this e-mail list please let me know.