La Habra Gets $6.9 Million for
Annexation & Dump Clean-up

The Board of Supervisors and La Habra City Council have reached an agreement regarding an old county landfill and the unincorporated islands. La Habra will receive just over $6.9 million for their General Fund, which the council may prioritize for current and future community needs.

La Habra had taken over the old landfill site at Idaho and Lambert in 1962 and converted it to Grande Vista Park, which became a heavily used venue for local youth sports programs. As the land began to settle, however, the park became unusable. La Habra filed a claim against the County before I took office, filed suit in 2004, threatening costly legal bills for both sides. To resolve the issue without further legal wrangling, the Board approved a $4,995,000 payment to La Habra, allowing the city to restore the park. This represents the largest OC payout for a landfill clean-up, sweetened as an incentive for La Habra to take over unincorporated pockets that have long been tough for the County to service.

As part of the landfill settlement, La Habra has agreed to annex 13 county islands scattered throughout the city, totaling 151 acres and about 1,525 people. In return, the County will award La Habra an additional payment of $1,924,084. These funds include park funds, road funds, property taxes as well as monies from the fire protection fund.

Board Looks at New Harbor Patrol Options

This Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will look at new options for funding the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol, which provides law enforcement, safety and fire protection services for Huntington and Newport Harbors. This $10.7 million expense has largely been funded from the OC park fund, which is tapped for 55% of the cost. Supervisor Correa and I have long argued that park funds should pay for parks, not provide protection for private boats in Newport and Huntington Beach.

That $5.7 in annual park funds should be freed to provide ball fields and other recreational space in park-poor North and Central OC. The two harbors are totally within the city limits of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach and it is those cities that should finally take this responsibility off the shoulders of the County.

Property Rights Protection Filed

Last week I signed on to the Property Rights Protection Initiative, filed with the California Attorney General’s Office. Geared to qualify for the November 2006 ballot, the measure would limit the use of eminent domain for public uses. It would prevent longstanding abuses, especially those allowed under the Supreme Court’s 5-4 New London vs Kelo decision. Other signatories were State Senator Tom McClintock and Jonathan Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers’ Association.

Grand Jurors Needed

Applications are now being accepted for membership in the 2006-7 Orange County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury assists the District Attorney with criminal indictments and acts as an independent watchdog. It issues recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on how to improve county operations.

The 19-member Grand Jury meets 4-5 days per week. Compensation is $50 per day. All Orange County residents who are U.S. citizens of at least 18 years of age are encouraged to apply. Call the Grand Jury Hotline: 714-834-6747.

Christmas Party December 15