Correa amends river bill

Hoping to find consensus on a bill that was thought to be a

slam-dunk, Assemblyman Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) has amended a

proposal to create a Santa Ana River conservancy.

The agency would help protect and restore the 96-mile waterway

that runs from its lip at the border of Huntington Beach and Newport

Beach through three counties.

On March 28, Correa added a new wrinkle to his Assembly Bill 496

that outlines the governing body. It names the 13 agencies that would

have voting powers, as well as nine nonvoting members.

“We know we had to get a governance structure in,” said Bill

Orton, a Correa aide and former 67th Assembly District candidate.

“We’d like everybody to continue commenting. Hopefully, we’ll get it

right.”

In February, Correa proposed the legislation, which garnered

broad-based support. But by mid-March, three county supervisors,

including Surf City representative Jim Silva, said they wouldn’t

support the bill because it adds unneeded bureaucracy and could

imperil plans to extend the Orange Freeway.

“I believe we should avoid creating additional layers of

government,” Silva said at the time.

The bill has collected endorsements from assembly members Tom

Harman, who represents Surf City, and Ken Maddox (R-Costa Mesa). Both

are listed as co-authors.

Correa, who is considering running for a supervisorial seat, has

disagreed that the bill creates more red tape. He said the bill would

connect a variety of agencies so they could pin down more bond

funding for river projects.

Correa pulled his request for a hearing on the bill in the

Assembly’s natural resources committee on Monday. The hearing is now

set for April 21, Orton said.

In the amendment, Correa listed 13 agencies that would sit on the

conservancy, including a supervisor from each of the three counties

the river runs through and three council members of cities in its

path.

-- Paul Clinton

City hands out Blue Star Flag posters

Huntington Beach hopes to help breathe new life into an old

tradition and support families with loved ones overseas serving in

the armed forces.

The City Council unanimously agreed Monday to supply families with

members in the service with posters of the blue star flag service

banners, an emblem of support for the soldiers at war.

The city embarked on the program at the suggestion of Assemblyman

Dennis Mountjoy (R-Monrovia) who is encouraging all California cities

to revive the blue star flags.

“We think it’s important to acknowledge the sacrifice that both

the soldiers in the community are making, as well as their families,”

Mayor Connie Boardman said.

The poster, which will display a blue star set against a white

background and outlined by a red border, holds a simple message.

Underneath the star, it reads, “USA; H.B. Family Member; Serving With

Pride.” Families are encouraged to hang them in their windows.

The blue star flag is a time-honored symbol of hope and pride that

families have displayed throughout different wars to honor loved ones

in the military.

Traditionally, when a soldier died in action, the blue star was

replaced by a gold star. A silver star stands for someone who was

wounded overseas.

The flag was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army

Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons

serving in the war. It has since become the unofficial symbol of a

family member in the service. The tradition was made popular during

World War II.

“It’s an important gesture for those going abroad to protect us,

and it’s nice to see the old tradition reinstated,” Councilwoman Pam

Julien-Houchen said.

The resolution passed by the City Council states that it is

important to support the troops regardless of one’s opinion on the

war.

The posters will be available free of charge at the city

administrator’s office, on the fourth floor of City Hall, for family

members of those serving in the armed forcesThe cost of printing will

be minimal, Boardman said, about 30 cents per banner.

Service banners are also available at the American Legion and at

Assemblyman Tom Harman’s office.

“It’s very difficult when a loved one is taken so very quickly off

to an uncertain destiny, Houchen said. “This is a little thing that

can do to show that we care.”

-- Jenny Marder

OCTA looks at widening part of 405

A study will be done on adding traffic lanes to a busy corridor of

the San Diego Freeway, to ease congestion through Huntington Beach.

The study, which will focus on the strip that runs through

Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach, from State Route 73

intersection to Interstate 605, has been approved by the Orange

County Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors.

Carrying more than 300,000 vehicles a day, the San Diego Freeway

has the highest traffic volume of any Orange County freeway.

Transit alternatives such as new bus or rail service will also be

looked into. Costs are estimated at $1.245 million. The study will

start in August and conclude in late 2004.

-- Jenny Marder

Trader Joe’s manager wins top prize

The manager of a local Trader Joe’s market won a top countywide

prize at an award ceremony held by the Orange County Tourism Council.

The council’s annual awards dinner was held on April 2, at the

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa.

Michael Geyer, manager of Trader Joe’s in Surf City’s Five Point

Plaza was awarded a crystal trophy and a vacation prize package for

first place in the Retail Shopping Center category.

-- Jenny Marder

Renovations at Bella Terra are underway

The first phase of renovations at Surf City’s new mall are

underway and slated to be finished mid-May.

Step one involves installation of new drive lanes, pedestrian

walkways and landscaping improvements. For more information, visit

www.bellaterrahuntington

beach.com.

-- Jenny Marder