This is a ridiculous proposal! Adrienne Gladson has devoted many, many years to serving the City of Orange in many capacities. She has demonstrated her wealth of knowledge and experience to continuously preserve the character of our deserving City. Agree with her or not, this ridiculous proposal is not necessary! You got what you wanted Mr. Mayor. She has resigned. You may not care, but this is a great, great loss to our City. I am ashamed of the City of Orange staff for proposing the removal of an irreplaceable member of the Design Review Committee. Shame, shame, shame!
The purpose of this email and attachment to submit my resignation from the DRC effective September 1, 2026.
I ask for the following item to happen:
1. A resolution or proclamation covering all my years of volunteer service on the DRC currently along with my prior service on the Planning Commission and DRC will be prepared & provided.
Ms. Gladson has devoted decades of her time, knowledge, and expertise to serving the City of Orange. Whether or not someone agrees with every decision she has made, what she has said or how she said it, there is no question that she has dedicated herself to preserving the character and history of Orange.
If there were concerns about her service, they should have been addressed privately and professionally—not through a public agenda item that serves only to embarrass someone who has given so much to this City. Her service should not be rewarded with public humiliation.
I also find myself wondering if this Council simply replacing experienced commissioners with people who will be more willing to support its agenda? Many residents have watched repeated efforts to diminish the role of the DRC and weaken historic preservation. Removing one of the City's most experienced DRC members only adds to those concerns.
The DRC exists to provide independent expertise and thoughtful review—not unquestioning agreement with the Council majority. Orange benefits from commissioners who are knowledgeable, willing to ask difficult questions, and committed to protecting the unique character of our city.
Ms. Gladson deserves our gratitude and respect—not this.
This is a ridiculous proposal! Adrienne Gladson has devoted many, many years to serving the City of Orange in many capacities. She has demonstrated her wealth of knowledge and experience to continuously preserve the character of our deserving City. Agree with her or not, this ridiculous proposal is not necessary! You got what you wanted Mr. Mayor. She has resigned. You may not care, but this is a great, great loss to our City. I am ashamed of the City of Orange staff for proposing the removal of an irreplaceable member of the Design Review Committee. Shame, shame, shame!
The purpose of this email and attachment to submit my resignation from the DRC effective September 1, 2026.
I ask for the following item to happen:
1. A resolution or proclamation covering all my years of volunteer service on the DRC currently along with my prior service on the Planning Commission and DRC will be prepared & provided.
Adrienne J. Gladson, AICP
July 22, 2026
Ms. Gladson has devoted decades of her time, knowledge, and expertise to serving the City of Orange. Whether or not someone agrees with every decision she has made, what she has said or how she said it, there is no question that she has dedicated herself to preserving the character and history of Orange.
If there were concerns about her service, they should have been addressed privately and professionally—not through a public agenda item that serves only to embarrass someone who has given so much to this City. Her service should not be rewarded with public humiliation.
I also find myself wondering if this Council simply replacing experienced commissioners with people who will be more willing to support its agenda? Many residents have watched repeated efforts to diminish the role of the DRC and weaken historic preservation. Removing one of the City's most experienced DRC members only adds to those concerns.
The DRC exists to provide independent expertise and thoughtful review—not unquestioning agreement with the Council majority. Orange benefits from commissioners who are knowledgeable, willing to ask difficult questions, and committed to protecting the unique character of our city.
Ms. Gladson deserves our gratitude and respect—not this.
What a LOSS! Someone with such experience and dedication to the City at large should not be turned out.