Just as it seemed inappropriate for OCSD to be in the financial business with its massive reserves and yield games, so it seems more appropriate for a school district to concentrate on the fundamental "3R's" of education than litigate complex land use issues.

Barham Ranch, over 500 acres of key wilderness area, will be added to Santiago Oaks Park, helping to form a vital wildlife corridor and help reduce urban runoff -- and an asset for the future.

OCT. 24, 2002: AT THE ORANGE UNIFIED BOARD MEETING

Over 150 who care about Barham Ranch showed up versus a handful of the losers of the OUSD recall. Most of that massive showing gave up their right to speak in the interests of recessing prior to midnight. THANKS to Theresa Sears and Marilyn Ganahl for reporting the decision, and to all those who helped put OUSD on the right track.

PUBLIC COMMENT
1. County's offer is "an insult", rely on the "new appraisal".
2. Try for more money.
3. Winners of the recall should disqualify themselves (!!).
4. Think about the "silent majority" that is not present, not voting, and not counted, but who would probably support land speculation.Old adage tells us, "...when your debate opponent resorts to cliche, there is little to be said..."The rest of the speakers were all FOR the sale of Barham Ranch. Some of their comments:
5. Must sell to county, it's the only bona fide offer on the table. Put aside the illusion of a phantom sale.
6. Follow state directive under education code.
7. Turn the deal around: if you had $4m, would you spend it on land speculation.
8. Listen to Supervisor Spitzer, sell to County for a park. This is not an open-ended offer, it's not worth waiting for more.
9. Scott Fergusen of TPL: seen a lot of deals, saved a lot of acres. The conservation bank (on which a much higher "appraisal" is based) is often illusory.
10. Professional real estate developer "loves to develop land," but value is established through entitlements, not speculation, and there are no entitlements likely.
11. Bob McGowan, Villa Park Council, claimed to be recently re-elected...then, after an appropriate pause, stated blandly "...with no opponents..." to a rousing cheer.
12. Mike Alvarez, a developer for 16 years, no educational benefit to holding land for speculation, not your duty
13. Mayor Murphy of Orange pointed out the time value of money, and how the money could be put to use -- now
14. Everyone in OC has an interest in this open space, transferral from one public entity to another is not to be judged by money alone, you could make a conservation easement or an Orange Great Park, but the County offers $ This is a wonderful offer, take it.
15. If the land were buildable, don't part with it; we trust you will do the right thing and take the money.
16. Supervisor Todd Spitzer, pointed out all the other money he has delivered for Orange, and hopefully will soon be in a statewide office to help even more. "Here's the offer", he stated, but after negotiation, wound up emptying his pockets to the tune of another 8%. After a closed session, the Board voted 5 to 2 to accept the offer and SAVE BARHAM RANCH.

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