Campbell announces new Crystal Cove bill State...

Campbell announces new Crystal Cove bill

State Sen. John Campbell will again move forward with legislation

to turn over operation of the Crystal Cove State Park historic

district to a nonprofit organization, he announced Friday. He had

written a bill in June that would give a nonprofit group control of

maintenance, concessions and the ongoing renovations of the park’s

historic cottages, but some environmental groups objected to a

provision putting local elected officials on the nonprofit group’s

board of directors. The new bill, which Campbell will move this week,

scraps that provision.

“He basically has made all changes that have been requested, and I

think that goes a long way to saying he’s very serious about the

legislation,” said Laura Davick, founder of the Crystal Cove

Alliance. Her group has raised thousands of dollars for the park’s

historic district and has expressed interest in assuming control of

operations there.

If Campbell’s bill passes, it could preempt a move by the state

parks department in July to bid-out operations -- including oversight

of cottage renovations and subsequent operation of two restaurants

and 13 cottages -- to nonprofit and for-profit groups. State parks’

deadline to submit bids is Sept. 21.

Another candidate

for Cox’s House seat

Huntington Beach Republican businessman Edward Suppe announced

Friday he’ll muscle his way into the race to fill the 48th

Congressional District seat, which Chris Cox had held since 1988 but

left Aug. 2 to become chairman of the Securities and Exchange

Commission. Suppe, 49, is a Coast Guard volunteer who works in the

computer industry. He said in a statement he wants to improve

homeland security and protect the world’s oceans. He has never run

for office before.

“These seats rarely come open, and this is a chance in a lifetime

for me,” he said. “My experience in high-tech and international

business led me to the realization that, using technology, I can run

a zero-debt campaign. Technology now allows ordinary citizens to

compete with professional politicians.”

The governor has until Tuesday to set a date for a special

election to fill the House seat. Other Republicans who are running

include former Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer and state Sen. John

Campbell. A general election will be preceded by a primary in which

voters can choose any candidate regardless of their party

registration.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in that

election, each party’s top vote-getter will proceed to the general

election.