Council rings in holiday season

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- The city council brought in a new mayor and rang in

the new holiday season Tuesday night.

Residents joined city officials for the lighting of the Christmas tree in

front of City Hall. Local Girl Scout troops and school choirs sang

holiday carols until the surprise arrival of Santa Claus, who had opted

to ride in on a fire truck instead of reindeer for a surprise visit with

the children of the community.

Guy Carrozzo was sworn in as mayor, ending the term of John Collins.

Chuck Conlosh was elected mayor pro tem at the council meeting. To begin

his term, which he dedicated to boosting patriotism in the community and

honoring veterans, Carrozzo welcomed members of the Veteran of Foreign

Wars, who handed out U.S. flags.

Also at the meeting:

* The city’s park and ride lot at the entrance to the Fountain Valley

Recreation Center at Brookhurst Street and Heil Avenue will be turned

over to Caltrans for operation and maintenance.

* The cost of $24,400 to install a new drainage facility at Mile Square

Golf Course as part of the Recreation Center Expansion was approved.

* Twenty-five bulletproof vests will be purchased for the police

department.