The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.
The Fullerton Observer newspaper was formed in 1978 by Ralph and Natalie Kennedy and friends to provide a more progressive counterbalance to the more conservative Fullerton News-Tribune and Orange County Register. The Fullerton Public Library has digital archives of the Observer stretching back to 1979. Here are some top news stories from 1984.
Transportation
Bicycle advocates faced opposition from the Transportation and Circulation Commission. It would be a while before the establishment of the Bicycle Users Subcommittee.
Meanwhile, in an effort to curb air pollution, the state of California instituted a comprehensive Smog check program for cars.
Education
The Fullerton Public Library used to have a Bookmobile that would bring books to local schools and neighborhoods.
The School Board voted to close the Community Open School, an experimental form of education begun 11 year earlier.
Local Politics
1984 was an election year, and the Observer carried much coverage of the local City Council race, pointing out which candidates were given large contributions from business and developer interests. Generally, the Observer did not support candidates that were heavily subsidized by developers and big business, preferring more independent candidates.
The Observer endorsed three candidates:
Republicans Dick Ackerman and Linda LeQuire were re-elected, and newcomer Chris Norby was elected to replace the outgoing Duane Winters, who had served on City Council for 27 years.
In recognition of Winters’ service, the city named the sports field in Amerige Park (across the street from City Hall) in honor of the long-serving councilmember.
Moderate/liberal Molly McClanahan was passed over as Vice-Mayor by the conservative majority, even though it was her turn in the rotation, a pattern that happened occasionally over the years, and continues to today.
Former Mayor Bob Ward, an advocate for Coyote Hills open space, challenged arch-conservative William Dannemeyer for congress. He lost.
After the passage of Prop 13 placed severe limits on property tax increases, city council sought to fill the budget shortfall with a sales tax increase, which was roundly rejected by voters.
Student Activism
The CSUF campus used to have a pub that served beer (it has since been removed). Students boycotted Coors beer for the company’s anti-union and allegedly racist positions.
Housing
The conservative city council majority consistently voted down affordable housing measures. This, combined with a Reagan administration that was cutting federal government subsidies for affordable housing, exacerbated the growing problem of housing unaffordability and, ultimately, homelessness.
The Strange Killing of Professor Cooperman
CSUF physics professor Edward Cooperman was killed in his office by a Vietnamese student, allegedly as a result of Cooperman’s efforts to assist the communist government in Vietnam.
Some believed that it was an assassination.
Stay tuned for headlines from 1985!
Fullerton History 