NEWPORT BEACH Balboa Theater raises curtain with...

NEWPORT BEACH

Balboa Theater raises curtain with a new plan

The Balboa Theater took a step forward as boosters unveiled some

new strategies for turning the vacant 1928 theater space on Balboa

Peninsula into a destination performing arts venue. Foundation

members unveiled a $2 million by 2005 fundraising goal and announced

that local activist Nancy Gardner has been elected new chairwoman.

* Greenlight leaders are protesting the city’s approach to

considering whether a 100-room luxury resort should be built on the

peninsula. In February, city officials decided the matter should go

to the voters but said they did not believe that the city’s

Greenlight Initiative required a vote to take place.

* A local coastal plan that would give the city more control over

development near the water could get its first hearing in front of

the Coastal Commission in the spring. The city is paying a

$1,000-a-month fine until it applies to the commission because the

deadline to make application has past.

* Residents uncertain whether water quality rules allow them to

wash their cars in their yards got a little help last week. City

officials are working to get out the word that residents washing cars

should be careful to keep pollutants out of storm drains.

* 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

Money race for spring elections heating up

Republican candidates vying for the 35th Senate district seat and

the 70th Assembly district seat expect to raise a combined total of

more than $3.5 million before the primary election on March 2.

They’ve already collected cash balances totaling $1.48 million

according to campaign finance reports filed in October.

The reports said state Senate candidate John Campbell, who now

holds the 70th Assembly District seat, has a 2-to-1 lead over

competitor Ken Maddox in dollars raised as of Sept. 30. Maddox is the

current 68th District Assemblyman.

Of the six Republicans running for the 70th Assembly district

seat, Cristi Cristich claimed the most cash in her report, followed

by Chuck DeVore, Donald P. Wagner and Marianne Zippi.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

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

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.

COSTA MESA

Council says no to measure

to protect mobile home parks

The City Council quashed the Planning Commission’s efforts to

create an interim measure to protect the mobile home owners at El

Nido and Snug Harbor trailer parks, which are slated to be closed in

June. The commission will continue working on a comprehensive mobile

home park ordinance that will apply to park conversions and closures

once the new rules are set.

* One Tuesday, a transportation committee approved the proposed

widening of Newport Boulevard. Members of the Downtown and Eastside

Transportation Ad Hoc committee felt conflicted about the project,

but ended up approving it. The project is currently being studied for

its environmental effects and is expected to go the City Council for

consideration in March.

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

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

EDUCATION

Parents concerned about asbestos at Harbor View

Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials decided Tuesday to

suspend asbestos removal during school hours at Harbor View

Elementary School after parents raised safety concerns. The

complaints started Monday after openings appeared in the tent

covering the work area. Asbestos removal was rescheduled during after

school hours.

* Three Corona del Mar students presented the school board with a

500-signature petition Tuesday to protest conditions in one of the

school’s special education classes.

Teachers and aides are overworked and the room is overcrowded, the

students said. They also complained about rats in the classroom.

District officials said they would look into the staffing issue and

take a more aggressive approach to controlling the rodents.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education and may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.