The Capistrano Insider

Egan's Killer Gets Death Sentence

The OC Register reports the man who killed San Juan Capistrano resident Tom Egan -- the father of twin girls -- has received the death penalty from a Santa Ana jury.

From the Register's Larry Welborn:

SANTA ANA – Jason Russell Richardson, convicted last year of first-degree murder plus special circumstances for the killing of a manager at the Tustin Home Depot in 2007, was sentenced to death Wednesday.

Jurors in Superior Court Judge William R. Froeberg's court began deliberations Tuesday in the third retrial for Richardson, 42, of Oceanside. He was convicted of gunning down Tom Egan at the Tustin Marketplace Home Depot during a botched robbery Feb. 9, 2007.

See the whole story at www.ocregister.com

Complaints about Capistrano Bible Study Case Come from Around the World

San Juan Capistrano city officials are getting an earful about the citiations issued to Chuck and Stephanie Fromm for holding a Bible study in their Mission Hills home.

Letters have come from across the country, and even from Australia. There's also a letter in there, however, that says it's more than a Bible study, but a church service led by Chuck Smith Jr., whose father, of course, started Calvary Chapel.

In response, the city issued a statement:

"Notwithstanding what various media outlets are reporting, the City of San Juan Capistrano does not prohibit home Bible studies.  The issue with the Fromm case involves the question of when a property developed for residential use has been transformed into a place of public assembly.  As you might know, zoning and building codes treat residences differently than places of public assembly because of public welfare and safety reasons.  The Fromm case further involves regular meetings on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons with up to 50 people, with impacts on the residential neighborhood on street access and parking."

The Capistrano Dispatch immediately emailed back to ask what made a Bible study a Bible study, and what made a home a "place of public assembly" but the question was ignored by the city spokeswoman, Kelly Tokarski. The city code doesn't seem to make the definition, nor set a limit for attendees or anything like that.

Here are the letters: Download 11-0919 Bible Study Letters Rec'd

 

Son of Former Interim Capistrano Manager Joe Tait Passes Away

This just popped up in my inbox ... Joe Tait has a contract with the city to oversee construction of the system to remove MTBE from the groundwater and ensure San Juan Capistrano receives its full share of the Chevron settlement.

***

Jeffrey William Tait began his earthly journey on November 13, 1981 in Provo, Utah.  His parents, Joe and Denise, were thrilled, scared and excited to start their new family.  Jeff evolved into the greatest of big brothers to Greg, Jennifer and Jason.  Jennifer returned home to her Heavenly Father in 1985 and is now trading stories and with her big brother.  Jeff spent two years in the service of God and his fellow man on a mission to Boise, Idaho.  In 2003, Jeff married his sweetheart Emily Pryor and later that year they honeymooned in Kauai where Jeff fell in love with the Islands.  Jeff and Emily were soon blessed with their daughter Taylor who is talented and cherished beyond description.

Emily is the template for all Moms and Taylor's Grandparents John and Vici Pryor and Denise and Joe are blessed to have her in their lives. 

Jeff was a trusted friend blessed with immense talents, loyal friends, and gave unconditional love without prompting.  Jeff loved his Brothers Greg and Jason and considered Sarah his soulmate Sister. He considered Greg, Jason, Sarah, Jean, Jeff and Rachael his true and everlasting compadres. It was with this group that his days and nights were filled with innumerable hours of joy and adventure.  He also considered the Larry Bowen Family and the Rob Perry Family mentors and friends that he loved and was blessed to learn from when he was young boy.  The Love of his Life is Taylor Jane and he knows she couldn't be raised by greater parents. Jeff returned home on Sunday July 17 at 11:30 am.  If you would like to pay your respects you can visit Remembering Jeff W. Tait on Facebook. Chapel Services will be held Saturday July 23 at Eternal Hills Memorial Park Chapel in Oceanside, California at 1 pm.  If you knew Jeff - you loved him !!

***

Our condolences and prayers go out to Joe and his family ...

A Familiar Name in the News ...

This from the Diocese of Orange....

 Diocese of Orange Expresses Interest in Crystal Cathedral

Orange, CA (July 6, 2011) – Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown has authorized The Busch Law Firm and other lay advisors to the diocese to explore possibilities regarding the Crystal Cathedral complex in Garden Grove, CA.  

With interest and concern, Bishop Brown has followed the news of the ongoing Crystal Cathedral Ministries (CCM) bankruptcy proceedings and is concerned for the future of the landmark church remaining a functional part of the liturgical landscape for the region.

The Diocese of Orange does not currently have a cathedral to meet the needs of its 1.2 million Catholics in Orange County, the 11^th largest diocese in the nation. "While we continue to develop plans for a cathedral in Santa Ana, it is prudent to evaluate the opportunity to engage in the pending auction of this property and to mitigate the chance that it cease to function as a place of worship, if acquired by others,” says Bishop Brown.

“I have authorized our advisors to contact the appropriate parties in the proceedings to determine a possible course of action. If the Diocese of Orange can prevent the loss of this important Christian Ministry and what the Crystal Cathedral has represented to so many for so long - and meet its own priorities for a new cathedral, we have a duty to at least review the options," said Bishop Brown.

This is solely an exploratory consideration, not binding upon any party involved in the proceedings. There is no change of course concerning development of the existing Cathedral site or other parishes in the community.   

***

Those who've been around will recognize the Busch Law Firm would be that of Timothy Busch, a founder of JSerra Catholic High School ...

Anaheim's New Plan Would Make Mister Rogers Proud ...

Here's the Mayor of Anaheim's plan for community building:

ANAHEIM, CA - (June 14, 2011) -

Anaheim’s Hi Neighbor initiative, a neighborhood outreach campaign, to be introduced by Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait at a series of community meetings beginning June 20

ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 14, 2011) – Knowing our neighbors and making personal connections is vital to vibrant and safe communities. As part of his Freedom and Kindness agenda, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait today introduced his Hi Neighbor initiative, a neighborhood outreach campaign based upon the fundamental principle of neighbors helping neighbors, both to show acts of kindness as well as assisting our neighbors in times of need.

“I encourage Anaheim residents and Anaheim businesses to challenge themselves to get to know their neighbors,” said Mayor Tait. “Knowing our neighbors and creating a sense of community might start with a simple greeting, a barbeque, and grow from there. The Hi Neighbor initiative will also help us develop a stronger network for community policing and emergency preparedness. Great neighborhoods make great cities, and together we can make Anaheim even greater.”

Neighbors helping neighbors has been a long-standing tradition in Anaheim, and City leaders are expanding the concept with the Hi Neighbor initiative. Beginning with a series of community events held later this month, Mayor Tait, Police Chief John Welter, and Fire Chief Randy Bruegman will discuss the importance of community policing and emergency preparedness as part of the Hi Neighbor initiative. The meeting schedule is as follows, with each meeting beginning at 7 p.m., and concluding at 8 p.m.

Monday June 20: Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 West Crescent Avenue
Tuesday June 21: East Anaheim Community Center, 8201 East Santa Ana Canyon Road
Wednesday June 22: Downtown Community Center, 250 East Center Street

“Improving our community requires involvement from each of us, and whether it’s putting together a neighborhood event, preparing for an emergency, or addressing crime, it is important that residents take the time to meet, know and support their neighbors,” said Mayor Tait.