GAINS & LOSSES

GOING FOR THE GOLD

Huntington Beach resident Heath Sims is living out his dream. This

week, the 28-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler is in Sydney, Australia,

preparing to compete in the Summer Olympics. But before Sims could get to

the Olympics, he had to overcome a major obstacle. Last year, he suffered

from a lacerated kidney after falling during a snowboarding outing.

REDEFINED LIFEGUARDING

Max Bowman, 63, was honored last week during a dedication ceremony for

the new Tower Zero at the Huntington Beach Pier. Bowman, who served the

city for 46 years -- 36 years as a lifeguard -- was credited for

transforming the beach patrol into a year-round operation. He also

founded the Junior Lifeguard Program and helped design the original Tower

Zero in 1963.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Huntington Beach High junior Michael Le is a good role model. He has

been chosen as a youth delegate to the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers

National Youth Summit to Prevent Underage Drinking 2000 because of an

anti-drug logo he designed for merchants to display. The 16-year-old is

among 434 teens nationwide to attend the five-day event set for later

this month. The forum will give students an opportunity to explore issues

surrounding alcohol consumption, and to discuss and develop proposed

solutions.

LOSSES

EXPLANATION NEEDED

Fountain Valley Councilman Chuck Conlosh is offering no explanation --

at least right now -- about his claims of malfeasance levied against

fellow council members. Last month, Conlosh -- who is up for reelection

this fall -- made several claims, including one that the city has refused

to investigate possible wrongdoing by high-level city officials. But when

confronted at last week’s City Council meeting about the allegations, the

only explanation he gave was that he needed more time to compile

information -- up to three weeks. If what Conlosh has stated is true,

then he should have been prepared to step up to the plate and respond to

his colleagues.