HomeMy WebLinkAboutErin Nielsen-Item 11Woodward, Carrie
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Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 12:28 PM
To: Yasuda, Erica; Woodward, Carrie; E-Comments
Subject: New eComment for Regular Meeting of the City Council/Closed Session-4:30
pm/Regular Meeting-6:00 pm
City of Tustin, CA
New eComment for Regular Meeting of the City
Council/Closed Session-4:30 pm/Regular
Meeting-6:00 pm
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Meeting: Regular Meeting of the City Council/Closed Session-4:30 pm/Regular Meeting-6:00 pm
Item: 11. CONSIDERATION TO RENAME THE CITY OF TUSTIN CORPORATE YARD TO THE
LOU BONE TUSTIN CORPORATE YARD Consideration of a request from Mayor Austin
Lumbard to recognize former Mayor Lucien "Lou" Bone by renaming the City of Tustin Corporate
Yard, located at 1472 Service Road, to The Lou Bone Tustin Corporate Yard and
commemorating the honor with the placement of a plaque near the main entrance of the
building.
eComment: Dear Mayor Lumbard and Members of the Tustin City Council, I am writing to
express my wholehearted support for renaming the Tustin Corporate Yard in honor of former
Mayor Lou Bone, a man whose deep love for Tustin and visionary leadership helped shape the
city we know and cherish today. I first met Lou in 1992, when, with the support of the City
Council, I launched the Tustin Pride Committee. Our mission was simple but powerful: "to
expand community pride through projects and community action that promote a cleaner,
healthier, safer, and more beautiful Tustin." Lou, with his characteristic energy and commitment,
immediately became an active and essential part of the committee. He brought not only ideas,
but action and his tangible, impactful projects with Tusti Pride are still benefiting the city to this
day. Two standout programs that Lou championed through Tustin Pride eventually became City
ordinances: the Graffiti Removal Hotline and the Stray Shopping Cart Retrieval Program. He led
efforts to clean up flood control channels marred by graffiti and trash, often doing the work
himself. I vividly recall standing beside Lou, filling sandbags for residents in advance of an
incoming storm. His leadership was never about titles; it was about action and service. Lou was
selected as a Tustin Area Man of the Year for this every reason. One of my favorite memories of
Tustin Pride is with Lou Bone when the committee started the Tustin Holiday Display Awards,
recognizing homes with festive outdoor decorations. Lou, who could be considered a little cranky
by those who didn't know him, loved the idea, and thanks to the groundwork laid by the
committee, that tradition lives on today through the Tustin Community Foundation. Just last
December, 112 homes were honored through the expanded version of the program. Beyond the
projects, I will always remember the many evenings spent at dinners, meetings, and social
events with Lou and his wife, Carol. Lou inevitably turned every conversation to Tustin ... his
dreams for its future, his excitement about its potential and what I needed to do, first as a
volunteer and then when I became part of the Tustin Community Foundation. He envisioned a
thriving community: a redeveloped base, a bustling Old Town, a flourishing Tustin Ranch, a
vibrant Marketplace, and strong relationships with North Tustin. Many of these dreams have
become reality, and Lou was instrumental in setting the foundation for them. Lou's work on
Tustin Pride naturally led to his service on the City Council, where his forward -thinking approach
continued to benefit our city. He recognized the importance of regional leadership early on,
advocating for Tustin's active participation in organizations like the Southern California
Association of Governments. He traveled frequently, often by Metrolink, which he strongly
supported coming to Tustin, to attend meetings across the county and state, tirelessly promoting
Tustin's interests. His efforts set a precedent, and many Tustin mayors and councilmembers
have followed in his footsteps, serving on regional boards and bringing valuable resources and
visibility to our city. Renaming the Tustin Corporate Yard in Lou's honor is a fitting tribute. It
recognizes not only his public service, but the hands-on, behind -the -scenes work he did for
decades to improve the infrastructure and quality of life in Tustin. I'd be remiss if I didn't say that
the nickname "The Bone Yard" even adds a touch of character, something Lou would have
appreciated. Finally, I'd like to highlight that any funds raised beyond the costs of the renaming
will be used to establish a grant program in Lou's name through the Tustin Community
Foundation. This means Lou will continue to support local nonprofits and schools just as he
always did. Mayor Bone gave so much to this city, not just in policy and leadership, but in spirit,
action, and heart. I respectfully ask that you vote in support of this effort to honor his legacy in a
way that is as lasting and meaningful as his impact on Tustin. Sincerely, Erin Nielsen Executive
Director, Tustin Community Foundation Tustin Area Woman of the Year 2018
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