GAINS & LOSSES

GAINS

AWARD WINNERS

Two Dwyer Middle School students won top honors in a statewide art

contest sponsored by the Department of Boating and Waterways. Precilla

Salas nabbed a first-place award in the eighth-grade category, while

seventh-grader Ryan Delany clinched first place in his class level. Kudos

to them, and to their art teacher, Greg Daly, who is gaining a reputation

of producing award-winning artists. A number of Daly’s students have been

recognized for their talent.

ON THE RUN

About 8,000 people are expected to participate in the Pacific Shoreline

Marathon on Sunday. The event -- the county’s only full marathon -- will

also feature shorter races, including a half-marathon, and three- and

five-mile races. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for clear skies Sunday --

the rain put a damper on last year’s event.

MESA NEWS

The Coastal Commission staff’s recommendation that the area on the Bolsa

Chica mesa where Hearthside Homes hopes to build be sliced by more than

half came as good news to locals who have been fighting to save the land.

Some are even hoping the developer will decide to abandon its plan. “This

thing is a loser for them,” City Councilman Ralph Bauer said.

LOSSES

ETHICS QUESTIONED

Councilman Tom Harman’s voting practices came under scrutiny last week

after a review of public records showed he voted down a redevelopment

project that could have negatively affected contributors to his Assembly

campaign. Though his actions were not illegal, some believe he should

have abstained from the vote. Jim Knox, from the political watchdog group

Common Cause, said the political system should be fixed “so elected

officials are accountable to taxpayers instead of their campaign

contributors.”

SORRY STARBUCKS

The Fountain Valley City Council rejected an appeal to allow the popular

Starbucks coffee shop chain to include a drive-thru window in its plan to

build a new store on Brookhurst Street. Officials cited concerns about

traffic confusion. While the decision means commuters won’t be able to

grab a quick cup of Java on their way to work, it doesn’t mean the

company can’t build a shop. And if the chain decides to proceed with the

plan sans a drive-thru, it will be the city’s second Starbucks.

SPILL MONEY

A coalition charged with distributing money from the American Trader oil

spill failed to reach a decision on divvying up the $11.2 million. The group, however, has mandated that the money be used to improve the city

beach and other coastal efforts. Huntington Beach hopes to get about $4

million from the settlement.