Gains and Losses

GAINS

CRUISE OF LIGHTS

The 37th annual “Cruise of Lights,” sponsored by the Huntington Beach

Philharmonic Committee, will offer four, 50-minute cruises per night

through Wednesday. As many as 25,000 participants from throughout

Southern California are expected for the event. Hundreds of homes lining

the harbor will be lighted with thousands of lights and moving displays

for this year’s theme -- “Millennium Melodies.” A giant champagne bottle

and a Wurlitzer jukebox are some of the entries in this year’s

home-decorating competition.

HONORING U.S. VETERANS

Guy Carrozzo was sworn in as mayor last week, dedicating his year to the

nation’s veterans. Carrozzo has served on the City Council for the past

nine years, with his first time in the mayor’s seat in 1995. The only

promise Carrozzo has made as mayor is to conduct himself with the same

honor and dignity he demonstrated as an educator. And by dedicating his

term to veterans, he plans to bolster patriotism within the city.

EMINENT DOMAIN REPEALED

Staring in the face of a referendum that would have overturned its

decision, the City Council changed its mind about buying Downtown

residential properties by force. By a 4-0 vote, the council chose to

repeal an ordinance passed in October that would have allowed the city to

use the power of eminent domain over nine apartments above the El Don

liquor store in the 400 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Those rental

units stand in the way of a multimillion-dollar hotel, restaurant and

retail complex that the council favors.

LOSSES

ANOTHER CREST VIEW OPTION?

Wal-Mart opponents see a “perfect” solution to their problem now that a

private school is showing an interest in purchasing the property where

the retailer plans to build. The Costa Mesa-based Waldorf School of

Orange County doesn’t want to lease a facility any longer, said Diane

Kastner, director of community outreach. “We’re looking for a permanent

home.” The school, which teaches about 200 children from preschool to

eighth grade, believes the abandoned Crest View school site on Talbert

Avenue near Beach Boulevard would fit its needs. But the Ocean View

School District, which owns the land, will not accept any offers from

Waldorf, trustee Tracy Pellman said. While a sale could bring as much as

$7 million, the school district stands to gain much more with Wal-Mart’s

proposed 65-year lease that pays out $400,000 annually, she said.

TELLER HURT IN BANK ROBBERY

A bank teller was injured when three men robbed the Wells Fargo Bank at

Goldenwest Street and Bolsa Avenue. One suspect was caught at the scene

by a pair of undercover officers for the Orange County district

attorney’s office. The other two escaped.

POLICE INVESTIGATED FOR SLURS

The capture of a suspect just moments after the Wells Fargo Bank robbery

was overshadowed by reports that racial slurs were broadcast over a

scanner used by county law enforcement agencies. Authorities are still

trying to determine whether the statements were made by an officer or by

a hacker breaking into the system.