WEEK IN REVIEW

NEWPORT BEACH

O.C. Republican backs away from rehab home situation

Top Orange County Republican official Scott Baugh announced Thursday he has cut ties with Newport Beach drug and alcohol rehabilitation home operators.

Baugh, chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County has been criticized for his work as an advisor for two of the largest drug and alcohol rehabilitation home operators in Newport Beach.

Baugh once acted as an advisor for Morningside Recovery and CRC Health Group, which owns Sober Living by the Sea. Morningside is one of two companies in Newport Beach the city is suing for violating a moratorium to keep new rehab homes from opening. The center houses its clients in numerous places on Balboa Peninsula. Sober Living by the Sea is the largest operator of rehab homes citywide, with about 40 houses.

COSTA MESA

Eric Bever elected mayor of Costa Mesa; few surprised

Mayor Pro Tem Eric Bever — a close political ally of Mayor Allan Mansoor — was elected to take over the outgoing mayor’s responsibilities.

Councilwoman Linda Dixon said the council should have waited until the vacationing Councilwoman Katrina Foley could be on hand to vote, but she joined the 4-0 vote for Bever.

Mansoor was also voted mayor pro tem in a 3-1 vote, with Dixon as the sole dissenter.

Some observers suggested the mayor’s premature departure from his second term may be an effort to improve Bever’s chances of reelection in 2008.

Bever, Leece and Mansoor frequently compose a 3-2 majority on controversial issues, and an electoral loss for any of them could mean the reversal of many of the council’s initiatives.

Mansoor seemed to downplay the significance of the shuffling, however, saying the move did not necessitate full attendance of the council.

The move also prompted observers to wonder whether the council violated the state’s Brown Act, a law intended to promote transparency in local governments. Council members Bever and Foley both said they had spoken to Mansoor when he called about Bever’s candidacy prior to the vote.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Deja vu all over again for father, son in public safety

Costa Mesa Firefighter Mike Kreeza participated in a life-saving effort at a Bethel Towers fire in March — a story equal to one told by his father, Owen.

In 1970, Owen was a Costa Mesa police officer then and one of the first officers at a fire at Bethel Towers. He helped people evacuate and was nearly trapped while helping someone escape.

While Owen was a police officer, as is most of his side of the family, Mike became a firefighter. But the career path wasn’t an odd choice, father and son said. Mike was always into the subject and excelled in his explorer program. And while Mike didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps, he contributes to public safety, which is more than his father could ask for.

BUSINESS

Hotel halves ceremony rates for gay, lesbian couples

The Wyndham Orange County hotel will provide a 50% discount to gay and lesbian couples who want to have commitment ceremonies at the hotel.

General Manager Tom Smalley conceived the program because he believed same-sex couples often felt uncomfortable taking vows in public. The Wyndham’s package will apply to the first 50 couples who register; possibly more, if the calls come in rapidly enough.

Rabbi Marc Rubenstein of Temple Isaiah in Newport Beach applauded the incentive and said he had conducted a same-sex commitment ceremony in the past. Ric Olsen, lead pastor of the Beacon, said he didn’t approve of the ceremonies morally but understood them from a business standpoint.

EDUCATION

$35-million library opens as largest building on campus

After eight long years without a permanent location, OCC’s library has finally found a home. On Wednesday, winter session students were the first to enjoy the spacious 88,777-square-foot, two-story Learning Resource Center/Library. The $35 million library, the largest building on campus, replaces the set of 32 portable buildings on the north end of campus. As one student put it, the differences between those and the new building are “night and day.” Besides the size, the architecture is impressive, it capitalizes on its windowed-frontage for natural light and has more space for books and periodicals, officials said. There were little differences too, students said. One student enjoyed the new chairs and said it didn’t squeak when he walked.

UCI scientists tapped for military help, science report

UCI scientists occupied national headlines this week when civil engineer and building structural damage expert Maria Feng was asked to design the U.S. Army’s next generation of armor and evolutionary biologist Francisco Ayala released a report by the National Academy of Sciences.

Feng’s technology lines the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Long Beach and portions of the 405 and 5 freeways in Southern California. The sensors provide city workers with real-time data on how structures are holding up — something that is particularly important following an earthquake. The military has given $5.5 million over five years to develop the same type of technology for light armor. Soldiers would be able to see where and how their armor is damaged, making it quicker to fix. The technology could also be adapted for vehicles like tanks, school officials said.

On Friday, Ayala and officials from the National Academy of Science released a report that rejects including creationism into science curricula. The report states creationism can coexist with science, just not in scientific discussions. Ayala, who used to be a Dominican priest, pointed out that people of faith can be scientists, the two identities are not exclusive.  

ENTERTAINMENT

O.C.’s glitzy parties featured in new reality TV series

A new reality television series featuring Newport Beach resident and party planner Brian Dobbin debuted Friday. The cable program “Top This Party: Orange County” on the Lifetime channel showcases some of the most over-the-top parties in Orange County. The show features several glamorous soirees in Newport Beach. Party hosts pay for their own parties on the show, but get Dobbin’s help and a television crew out of the deal. The parties profiled typically cost $100,000 or more.