OC Blog

Governor Approves OCTA Request to Halt Strike

This came over the transom from the Orange County Transportation Authority:

Governor Approves OCTA Request to Halt Strike

State board appointed to investigate negotiations and submit a report on findings

ORANGE – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger intervened Monday halting a strike and ordering a cooling-off period between the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and coach operator union leaders. He determined a strike would significantly disrupt public transportation and endanger the public’s health, safety or welfare.

As requested by OCTA officials last week, he will appoint a state board to investigate the negotiations and make a written report within seven days. The board will include Kelly Montgomery, Edna Francis and Justice Harry Low. The report will be a public document that includes facts – not recommendations. During this period, a strike is prohibited. Upon receipt of the report, the governor may request that the attorney general petition the court for an injunction against a strike for a 60-day period.

AD71 Watch: By The Numbers

Since the 71th Assembly District GOP primary is shaping up to be one of the hot OC races in 2008, I thought a by-the-numbers profile of the district and the candidates was in order.

The 71st Assembly District straddles Orange and Riverside counties and comprises Corona, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, Norco, Tustin, Irvine and Anaheim.

There are 126,752 GOP voters distributed as follows across the district:

City                                 Number of GOP Voters          % of AD71 GOP Voters

Mission Viejo                               31,878                                    25.14%

Corona                                         25,159                                    19.8%

Rancho Santa Margarita                15,125                                    11.9%

Orange                                        12,444                                      9.8%

Norco                                            5,732                                      4.5%

Tustin                                           1,766                                      1.4%

Anaheim                                        1,151                                      0.9%

Irvine                                               822                                      0.6%

Unincorporated Area (OC)              27,017                                     21.3%

Unincorporated Area (RC)               5,658                                      4.46%

Approximately 71% of GOP voters are in Orange County versus 29% in Riverside County.

The candidate field thus far:

AD60 Watch: Tim Escobar To Join Field?

During the past couple of weeks, I've heard a new name talked about as a en trant into the AD60 GOP primary sweepstakes: Tim Escobar.

Escobar was the 2002 GOP nominee in the 39th Congressional District, when he faced off against now-Rep. Linda Sanchez in her first Congressional election. Sanchez beat him 54.9% to 40.8% (52,256 to 38,925). It should be noted the district registration was a 54% Democratic and 28% Republican, so Escobar ran well ahead of GOP registration while holding Sanchez to Democratic registration, and raised approximately $220,000.

Escobar works for a brokerage firm and is an Army reservist recently returned from Iraq. He lived in La Mirada when he ran for Congress, and I assume he still does.

He would be the only non-elected candidate in the incipient 60th Assembly District Republican primary field, which thus far is comprised of Metropolitan Water District Director Larry Dick and Chino Hills Councilman Curt Hagman. La Habra Heights Councilman Stan Carroll is also pondering entering the race.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- April 30, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Immigration Rallies Called To Mark May 1 -- OCR
A coalition of local immigrant rights groups will rally for a plan to legalize undocumented immigrants. Border control activists are calling for a counter-protest.

Tapping The GOP ATM Machine -- OCR
Republican presidential frontrunners battling for O.C. backing.

Martin Wisckol's The Buzz: Mixed Messages -- OCR
Former senator John Edwards shows his potential for moving up in presidential polling

Hundreds Flock To Citizenship Sign-Up -- OCR
Assemblyman Jose Solorio's event draws a crowd.

Anaheim District Looks Into Funding For Aging Campuses -- OCR
Redevelopment income is the main way to come up with the money.

Start Of Something Big -- OCR
Ang;icans re-enact crossplanting near Jamestown 400 years ago.

On The Road With Nemo -- OCR
Nemo Dream Mobile to promote June 11 opening of Finding Nemo submarine attraction.

OC Deputies Seek Would-Be Kidnapper -- LAT and OCR
Relatives of a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome stop a man from leading her out of a park in Fountain Valley.

Newport Keeps Charm While Progressing -- DP
Newport Beach and Costa Mesa mayors have cited mixed-use zoning as playing a major role in the future of their cities, but at a recent Urban Land Institute forum, Newport Beach Mayor Steve Rosansky told a group of public figures and developers that mixed-use zoning has the potential to cause problems if it's not planned properly.

The Right Type Of Play -- DP
After several years of complaints about organized sports in Paularino Park, Costa Mesa city leaders are taking a look at all parks and what activities are appropriate based on each park's size.

Northern Calif. Dem unable to control OC Toll Road

Like Sheila Kuehl and Tom Hayden before him, Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) made a failed effort to pass leglislation in Sacramento that would stop Orange County from connecting the 241 to the I-5.

As the LA Times reported today, his anti-241 completion bill - AB1457 - was shelved in the hopes that he can gain support next year.  But while the GOP remains unified in opposition to his pro-traffic congestion bill, even his own party is split on whether this flawed legislation that lets the State Parks Director have veto power over traffic relief options is a good idea or not.

Harry Sidhu On The Disney Referendum

This is from Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu's e-mail newsletter that popped into my inbox on Friday.  Harry points to an OC Register online poll as somehow evidence the Anaheim Council's approval of the general plan amendment is at odds with Anaheim residents. Fascinating.

Here's Harry:

THE BASIS FOR MY VOTE TO DENY AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL PLAN AND ANAHEIM RESORT SPECIFIC PLAN:

I recognize the duty that I have as an elected representative to our city's taxpayers. In fulfilling that duty, I cannot support any policy that would ultimately hurt our taxpayers, our local economy, and impact our vital city services. Therefore, I voted to deny the amendments to the General Plan and Anaheim Resort Specific Plan at Tuesday's City Council Meeting. Additionally, it is important to also note that our Planning Commission previously voted to deny these amendments.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- April 29, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Bill To Ban San Onofre Toll Road Route Put On Hold -- LAT
A state legislative effort to restrict roads in state parks has been delayed, but its proponents say they can still pass it.

Steve Greenhut: Breaking Up With The GOP -- OCR
Is the battle of individual liberty against big government over? A lot of Republicans seem to have declared 'mission accomplished'.

Gordon Dillow: SONGS Or Arctic Oranges -- OCR
Columnist Gordon Dillow writes that it's nuclear power plants or global warming.

22 Freeway Set To Open -- OCR
All new lanes along 12-mile stretch of improvement project to be finished by Tuesday morning.

News Of Sex Offenders Worries Residents -- OCR
Notification questions linger after public learns of sex offenders in motels.

Haven Soothes Battle Scars -- OCR
The Mayhew-Vincent White Cane American Legion Post in Midway City was formed for disabled veterans by disabled, mostly blind, veterans.

What Has Changed? -- OCR
Lawmakers, activists and border enforcement dove into changes after the 2006 immigration marches. POLL: What should Congress do?

Our 14 Wonders -- DP
They may not be listed among the Seven Wonders of the World, but Newport-Mesa has its own historical gems that should not be missed.

Editorial: Back 9 Is for Golf; Park JWA Cars Elsewhere -- DP
Golf courses and golfing venues are not exactly in short supply in Orange County. And the Newport-Mesa area boasts some of the best private and public courses around.

Thousands Gather For Donors Event -- OCR
Record crowd at 5th annual Donate Life Walk made up of many individuals touched by organ transplantation.

Inland Empire Feels Housing Market's Pain -- OCR
The real estate slump has taken hold in Southern California's last area to see double-digit appreciation and booming sales.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Governor Press Health Care Plan At OC Appearance -- OCR
Schwarzenegger visits asthma conference at Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

OC Motel Evicts 7 Paroled Molestors -- LAT
Owner takes action after police, media publicity. County has few places offenders can reside.

Dana Point Boaters Call Tax A Shot Over The Bow -- LAT
A county oversight has allowed three years of assessments to go uncollected until now.

Sea Life Still Washes Ashore -- OCR
Isn't there some way to prosecute the ocean for environmental crimes?

Recalling The Fox -- OCR
Fullerton's historic downtown theater opens for one night and brings back a flood of memories.

Nobelists Carter, Agre Agree To Speak At UCI -- OCR and DP
Former president to discuss Middle East conflict.

Sex Offender Housing Criticized -- OCR
Corrections officials say the men have right to stay at Garden Grove motels.

Cities Leaders Talk Exchange -- DP
When Newport Beach and Ensenada officials dined together Friday while hundreds of sailboats began their annual race from here to the Mexican city, it was more than just a social occasion.

Just Four Days Until May Day March Madness!

Yes, there are only four days until you get have your chance to skip work or cut school and protest against the federal government enforcing federal immigration laws (it's just so racist!).

The gathering point for marcher and truant high schoolers is:

3:00 PM Plaza De Las Banderas
Calle Civic Center
(Broadway y Flower-Atras de la Corte)
Santa Ana, CA

In Ingles por los gabachos:

3:00 PM Plaza of the Flags
Civic Center Drive
(Broadway and Flower- Behind the Courtyard (I think))
Santa Ana, CA

Be there or be racist!

Jimmy Carter Speaking At UCI Next Week

A reader alerted me that every foreign tyrants' favorite ex- U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, will speak at UC Irvine next Thursday, May 3:

Jimmy Carter to visit UC Irvine, talk with students

Former president will discuss Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine

Irvine, Calif., April 27, 2007

Former President Jimmy Carter will visit UC Irvine on Thursday, May 3, to discuss the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine and answer questions from students.

“We are honored to host President Carter, who has provided such distinguished service to our nation and to the world,” said William R. Schonfeld, director of the Center for the Study of Democracy. “This is a rare and exciting opportunity for our students to hear directly from a former President of the United States about issues of great concern.”

Carter’s address to UCI students, faculty, staff and alumni will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the UCI Bren Events Center. Students are encouraged to submit questions online before the event and a panel of students and faculty will select representative queries to ask Carter during the  program.

You can read the rest here.