Stepping into the fray

A major campaign issue lives on in Washington: Freshman Rep. John Campbell hits the ground running in the House, proposing measures to fight illegal immigration. Not content to hang back as the newest member of the House, Rep. John Campbell stepped immediately into the fray over illegal immigration Wednesday, proposing an amendment to a major bill that would increase border security and strengthen immigration enforcement.

Cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, Campbell said, have passed ordinances that prohibit them from reporting individuals’ immigration status to federal authorities in some circumstances. Campbell’s amendment would cut off federal funds for law enforcement to any cities with such rules.

“The city of Los Angeles is in violation of federal law for passing that ordinance, but there’s no enforcement,” Campbell said.

He planned to seek approval Wednesday from the House rules committee. If he gets the OK, the amendment could go to the floor later this week. As many as 30 amendments could be forthcoming, and some are expected to be controversial.

Campbell out of office

Campbell may hope to follow in the footsteps of the man he replaced -- former Rep. Chris Cox, now chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission -- but he will have to find his own office space in Newport Beach.

He planned to keep Cox’s old district office off Dove Street near John Wayne Airport, but he learned too late that when House members leave mid-term, their leases expire. Campbell is looking for a space in the same area and definitely plans to stay in Newport, he said.

“Newport Beach is known all around the country,” he said. “Everybody knows where Orange County is, but that isn’t an address that shows on your business card.”

Paying for patrol

The Orange County Supervisors decided this week not to pursue hikes in boaters’ fees to offset the cost of the county Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol services. Supervisors in September began looking at the best way to fund the roughly $10 million annual cost of Harbor Patrol operations, which are now paid for out of the county’s harbors, beaches and parks department allotment.

Research showed added boating fees wouldn’t bring in enough money to make a difference, so county officials will continue talks on how to pay for the patrol, which provides fire protection, law enforcement and rescue services to the harbors in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Dana Point, and along the county’s coastline.

While boating fees are off the table, the county could still decide to ask the cities that use the Harbor Patrol most to chip in. That would mean Newport and Huntington, since Dana Point already pays into a special harbor fund.

But with opposition expected at least from Newport Beach, it won’t be a fun conversation.

“To my knowledge, nobody [on the board of Supervisors] has stepped up to negotiate that with either city,” Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell said.

DeArakal on board

Costa Mesa parks and recreation commissioner Byron DeArakal was appointed this week to the Orange County Transportation Authority’s citizens advisory committee. The 34-member group advises the authority’s board on transportation issues and public outreach.

De Arakal’s appointment continues a streak of Costa Mesa residents joining the transportation agency. City Councilman Gary Monahan began a term on the board in January, and resident Peter Buffa was appointed one of two citizen members on the board in October.

20051215ir4achknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Republican John Campbell, joined by wife Catherine and sons Taylor and Logan, gives two thumbs up after winning the election for the 48th U. S. Congressional District seat. The newest member of Congress has wasted no time tackling a controversial issue important to his home district.