WEEK IN REVIEW

Statistics released last week by the Attorney General’s office, showed

violent crimes in Costa Mesa were up by 39% during the first six months

of this year, compared to the same period last year.

Total crimes were up 9% and property crimes increased by about 23%.

Officials say the rise is to be expected given the record low numbers in

2000 and the socio-economic problems that arise out of a softening

economy.

Also, Costa Mesa Police put out a $5,000 reward for information

leading to the arrest and conviction of Victor Garcia, the 17-year-old

suspected of killing Ceceline Godsoe. The 16-year-old girl was found

bludgeoned to death on a trail in Fairview Park Sept. 21.

-- Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached

at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .

More sad memories

A second memorial was held last week for Matt Colby, a Costa Mesa High

School football player who died Sept. 29, one day after collapsing at a

game. The memorial at Orange Coast College’s football stadium gave

friends and family another opportunity to pay tribute to the popular

football player.

In order to foster greater understanding of Muslims and prevent

harassment, UC Irvine hosted a forum for people to express their views

and ask questions about the Muslim reaction to the terrorist attacks.

And the school board unanimously approved the districtwide facilities

implementation plan. The first group of schools will start undergoing

construction next summer.

-- Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .

They tasted success

Despite a last-minute rescheduling due to the East Coast terrorist

attacks, the 13th annual Taste of Newport was a smashing success. About

70,000 people came to Fashion Island over the course of the three-day

event to sample the tastes and sounds of the city.

The city’s lifeguard station should be a “disgrace” no more, City

Council members decided. The facility is set for some major

beautification and operational upgrades, which Mayor Gary Adams says are

much needed and much deserved by the city’s world-class lifeguards.

No one was surprised to see a huge turnout for the Harbor Heritage

Run. The 5K and 2K races, organized by the PTA, were estimated to raise

between $25,00 and $30,000 for Newport Harbor High School. In its 15-year

history, the event has also become a community institution.

-- June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .

Government under the microscope

The Orange County District Attorney’s office has opened a preliminary

investigation into a possible violation of the Brown Act by the Costa

Mesa City Council and Planning Commission, officials said last week.

Deputy District Attorney Pete Pierce, of a special unit designed to

investigate government officials, confirmed he is looking into a possible

violation of the Brown Act, the state law that governs public meetings.

Part of that law mandates that the public must be notified in advance

if an issue is going to be discussed by a voting bloc of elected

officials.

“We are satisfied that there haven’t been any violations,” said Asst.

City Attorney Tom Woods, in the only comment the office was willing to

give.

The investigation was prompted by a letter from a Costa Mesa resident

Paul Flanagan, who claimed the city violated the Brown Act during the

early subcommittee negotiations of the development agreement for the Home

Ranch Project. Flanagan is a member of the Costa Mesa Citizens for

Responsible Growth and a vocal opponent of the proposed development.

City Manager Allan Roeder said the city is being asked to respond to

the allegations, and if necessary, the investigation could continue from

there.

-- Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .

More info, no conclusions

An eagerly awaited report from the Federal Aviation Administration

about a proposed El Toro airport isn’t likely to provide any definition

to the already muddy debate.

On Tuesday, the day the report was released, airport boosters and

opponents both had their own slant about why the report supported their

views.

But more importantly, the report shed little light on what the agency,

one of the final arbiters in the decision to built the airport, really

thinks about the county’s plan.

The report announced, in the agency’s familiarly obfuscated style,

that an airport would be safe, but not the most efficient use of

airspace.

Actually, any one departure from the proposed airport would cause 24

arrivals into John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport to be delayed by

eight minutes.

The report also offered conflicting numbers about the size of the

airport that was analyzed, differing from four million to 28.8 million

passengers annually.

Rep. Chris Cox (R-Newport Beach) criticized the report’s nebulousness

and asked for more detailed information.

-- Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .