In her piece, Karen Rodriguez, born and raised in Santa Ana, CA and an organizer for the Rise Up Willowick coalition, responds to Kelsey Brewer’s, of Jamboree Housing, Op-Ed piece. Rodriguez dispels Brewers’ claims that Jamboree’s proposal responds to the needs of residents. Rodriguez portrays residents’ needs and vision for the Willowick Golf course based on ongoing community outreach and organizing that began nearly two years ago. For decades, residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the Willowick Golf Course, Buena Clinton in Garden Grove and Santa Anita in Santa Ana, have experienced disinvestment; however their vision is clear. The community will not be tokenized by the City or developers; they have the right to self-determine the future of their neighborhood.
