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.
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