{"id":361423,"date":"2026-06-15T14:25:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T14:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/361423\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T14:25:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T14:25:23","slug":"no-state-of-city-at-the-2026-state-of-the-city-but-the-cookies-were-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/361423\/","title":{"rendered":"No State of City at the 2026 State of the City, but the Cookies Were Good"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

City Manager Eddie Manfro addressed an audience of approximately 60 guests, including city staff and sponsors, at the 2026 State of the City event held at the Summit House restaurant on June 11 at 2:30 pm. <\/p>\n

The event deviated from tradition, as neither Manfro nor Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung provided a comprehensive overview of the city. This approach comes in light of a $13.7 million budget deficit, a financial audit, and Mayor Jung\u2019s recent electoral defeat in his bid for the OC Supervisor seat in the 4th District. Attendees paid $65 for tickets, which did not include a meal or drinks; however, they enjoyed complimentary appetizers and delightful boxes of macarons.<\/p>\n

Featured speakers included Dr. Edward Kim from City of Hope and Dr. Stefan Bean, the Superintendent of the OC Department of Education, who delivered engaging lectures, albeit with little focus on the State of Fullerton itself. Gary Parkinson, the owner of the Summit House, shared insights on the restaurant\u2019s origins. In contrast, local business owner David Faulk of Nasung Sool Company recounted the journey of opening his brewery and tasting room at 141 W. Wilshire.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A video segment highlighted Chef Imran \u2018Ali\u2019 Mookhi, owner of Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen (229 E. Commonwealth), as he and his co-founders were honored with the Fullerton Distinguished Business Award for their restaurant, which has received the Michelin Bib Gourmand accolade five times since 2021.<\/p>\n

Despite a cheerful video overview, the event did not address the city\u2019s current challenges. Mayor Jung\u2019s later remarks acknowledged his failed bid for the OC Superintendent position and spoke candidly about the city\u2019s financial difficulties and his critics. He urged the community to unite and move forward through this challenging period.<\/p>\n

Tensions surfaced during the event when UCI Professor Jody Agius Vallejo stood and asked if questions were allowed. Jose Trinidad Caste\u00f1eda rushed over to silence her, and former Fullerton Planning Commissioner Douglas Cox yelled, \u201cSit down \u2013 we paid $65 for this.\u201d <\/p>\n

Event sponsors included City Attorney contractor Jones & Mayer, White Glove Property Management, SoCalGas, California State University, Fullerton, and Fullerton College.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to see other city website information on the State of the City 2026. Watch the meeting on YouTube at https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/DeALm0zp4Zk<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from Fullerton Observer<\/p>\n

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