Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:
OC Native Dies In Iraq -- OCR
The Mission Viejo graduate is the first female Marine officer killed in the war.
Ex-Aides Allege Abuse Of Power -- LAT
Rep. Gary Miller of Diamond Bar exercised political muscle for personal gain, they say.
County's Rail System Rolling -- OCR
More residents are getting on board the system, a beneficiary of Measure M.
Frank Mickadeit: 'Our Lady' Icon Is Always On The Road -- OCR
Nice column about a group of devoted Catholics and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Caltrans Recommends $2.2 Billion For Southern California Roads -- LAT
L.A. County tops the list, with $1.5billion recommended. Orange County is recommended for $405 million in funds.
OC Parks Director Is Abruptly Fired -- LAT
No changes are expected to plans to reinvigorate the parks system. Didn't we read this story on Friday?
Fullerton Planning Board Will Evaluate Shopping Center -- OCR
The proposal for the site at Euclid and Orangethorpe in the west end of the city includes giant retailer Tesco, Rite-Aid.
Aliso Viejo Master Homeowner Association Elects New Board -- OCR
Bill Conley, Jim Martin and Donna Ogilvie to serve on board.
Marblehead Moving Along -- OCR
Concern over size of custom homes was in question.
Capistrano Mission Puts A Price On Prayer -- OCR
Charging at Serra Chapel is necessary to raise funds for preservation, officials say.
Sprint Launches Next-Gen Internet -- OCR
Sprint plans to launch a faster cell-phone Internet service today in Orange County.
Newport Beach Community Center Plan Pales -- OCR and DP
An advisory board wants funding shifted to other projects in Santa Ana Heights.
A Wireless Win-Win -- OCR
911 callers could get faster service from local safety agencies, easing CHP dispatchers' workload.
Editorial: Time To Reach Out To Improve City, Dispel Negativity -- DP
Like the headline says.
Seal Beach Voters To Decide On Home Height Restriction -- LAT
The City Council on Monday chose to let voters decide whether to enact a controversial ordinance on home heights in Old Town.
'Dream Team' Sworn In -- DP
In one of the biggest swearing-in ceremonies in recent memory, six members of what Councilman Ed Selich called "the dream team of City Councils" took the oath of office and their places on the dais Monday night.
It is strange that the Director of HPB was fired by Mauk, when he lets the HCA Director stay in her job after allowing her staff to cover up mismanagement of federal grants costing us taxpayers $143,000.
Well, at least we have a mission statement and Chris Prevatt can no longer read the Red County/OC Blog on his breaks at work or send email to his roommate.
Golly, I feel so proud of our County Management Team.
Posted by: clprevatt | December 12, 2006 at 07:29 AM
In another act of political courage, the City of Seal Beach has decided to punt the question of whether to allow third stories. This "election" will be all about self-interest. You vote "yes" if you want to add a third story; you vote no if you already have your third story. The City should simply apply the existing zoning fairly and consistently, protecting the property rights of those who purchased with the expectation of being able to develop their property consistent with the existing zoning. Instead, it is putting up property rights to a popular vote. What's next? Shall we vote on which religous displays we can have in the public square?
Posted by: Mark Alpert | December 12, 2006 at 07:45 AM
If we're going to have to vote on everything even slightly controversial, why don't we just eliminate the City Councils, Boards of Supervisors, and even School Boards? Since they have no courage to do the job they are elected to do, let's eliminate their jobs.
Posted by: clprevatt | December 12, 2006 at 08:05 AM
And, in the LA Times, Gary Miller abuses congressional privilege to get seats to see the Rolling Stones!
Posted by: | December 12, 2006 at 08:33 AM
And, in the LA Times, Gary Miller abuses congressional privilege to get seats to see the Rolling Stones!
Posted by: | December 12, 2006 at 08:34 AM
LAT: Sunset for 'The O.C.'? That depends
With a mix of soap opera antics and pop culture smarts, "The O.C." has been a boon to its hometown, culminating the county's transformation from Los Angeles' ho-hum neighbor to a trend-maker perched on the endless Pacific. Its pull was so strong that a county supervisor suggested turning John Wayne Airport into "The O.C. Airport," and when characters ripped on Riverside residents as "white trash," officials in the inland city mulled their legal options.
But in the show's fourth season on Fox, its ratings have plummeted to 97th among prime-time shows, with an audience of 3.7 million, according to recent Nielsen numbers. Up against juggernauts such as "Grey's Anatomy," the show appears close to its demise, with fans posting "Save The O.C." pleas on YouTube. Like a homecoming queen stripped of her tiara, Orange County is facing a future without a series that served as a weekly hourlong infomercial for Newport Beach and has even persuaded families to cross oceans for a firsthand look.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-me-uncool12dec12,0,6989606.story?coll=la-headlines-entnews&track=crosspromo
Posted by: Hanna | December 12, 2006 at 10:11 AM
I worked for Gary Miller for six years and the atmosphere described in the Times article was nothing like what I experienced. Too bad the reporter didn’t share any of his conversations with staffers that had good things to say about Gary. Don’t forget we have Gary (and others) to thank for removing two of the more egregious politicos to grace the California scene, Paul Horcher and Jay Kim.
Posted by: Julie Paule | December 12, 2006 at 02:30 PM