PLACENTIA
Members of a local group that collected signatures in an effort to save the city’s last orange grove said Thursday that the city is invalidating their petitions this week on a technicality.
John Penner, founder of Preserve Our Past, said the city clerk’s office disqualified about 600 names that did not specify the name of the city in the address. The group had hoped to put an initiative on the November ballot calling on the city to buy the property. Deputy City Clerk Marie Macias said state election codes require complete addresses on petitions.
Bulldozers started clearing the 3.6-acre Brower orchard Tuesday for development, but Penner said the group still hopes to get the city to buy the $2-million parcel and use it for a community center or museum.
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