NEWPORT BEACH Proctor bids adieu to City...

NEWPORT BEACH

Proctor bids adieu to City Council seat

City Councilman Gary Proctor announced he would resign more than a

year before the end of his term. Proctor’s reason was that, since the

passage of Measure W and the extension of the John Wayne Settlement

Agreement, his passion and expertise in airport issues was no longer

as useful on the council. He’s stepping down to devote more time to

his law practice and his family. The City Council has until the end

of October to find and appoint a replacement, or else the matter will

have to go to a special election. That’s a costly and cumbersome

process that some hope to avoid. Council members are expected to

discuss at their next meeting how best to proceed in finding a

replacement.

* The Taste of Newport , now in its 15th year, is better than

ever, organizers say. Besides the more than 30 local restaurants, 15

local wineries and professional cooking demonstrations, this year’s

entertainment lineup boasted nationally renowned but hometown rock

band Sugar Ray, the perennially popular Beach Boys and Neil Diamond

tribute band Super Diamond. It continues today.

* The Alliance to Rescue Crystal Cove will now just be known as

the Crystal Cove Alliance, a name that reflects the group’s new role

as a partner with the State Department Parks and Beaches. The group

will now hold fund-raisers to assist in the state’s goal of restoring

and preserving the historic district.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.

POLITICS

Cox wins at effort to keep the Web tax free

Rep. Chris Cox got a long-awaited political victory last week when

the House passed his bill to keep Internet connections tax-free.

The bill makes permanent a temporary ban on such taxes, which is

set to run out on Nov. 1.

* Assemblyman Ken Maddox, who’s running for a state Senate seat,

was awarded the state’s highest military honor. Maddox received the

Order of California for his support of the National Guard, members of

the state’s Military Department said.

Maddox is running against Assemblyman John Campbell to replace

state Sen. Ross Johnson, who is being term limited out of office.

* S.J. CAHN is the managing editor. He can be reached at (949)

574-4233 or by e-mail at s.j.cahn@latimes.com.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Costa Mesa man dies in rollover accident on freeway

A 26-year-old Costa Mesa man died in a freeway crash Wednesday

morning, an accident officials say was caused by a driver who made an

unsafe lane change.

California Highway Patrol officers are still looking for that

hit-and-run driver who has only been described as a man driving a

newer black Ford Explorer.

James Jerome Snyder’s Chevy Blazer rolled several times on the

northbound Costa Mesa Freeway near Dyer Road, officials said. He was

transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

Snyder grew up in Corona del Mar and was a Corona del Mar High

School graduate.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

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

COSTA MESA

Curtain rises a bit on plans for expanded theater district

The council approved changes to the preliminary blueprints of

South Coast Plaza Town Center. The changes enable the uses within the

area to be shuffled.

* A local Marine is trying to help the family of Jose Garibay, a

Marine from Costa Mesa killed in Iraq, raise the amount of money they

had to spend to attend a military memorial service in North Carolina.

Former U.S. Marine Cpl. Madrigal Cuauhtlicoyotl has painted two

donation boxes in patriotic colors and placed one of them at El

Metate Market, at 817 W. 19th Street.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

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