INSIDE SCOOP

At last week’s Huntington Beach City Council meeting, Debbie Cook

spoke out about Mayor Dave Garofalo’s alleged conflicts of interest. As

Cook turned from the lectern to take her seat, Garofalo quipped: “Thank

you Mrs. Cook, or is it Jane Fonda?”

Cook, although she did not hear the remark, said she took umbrage at

Garofalo’s comment after hearing about it secondhand.

“I come from a family with a long tradition of honorable military

service,” Cook said. “My father served in two wars -- his ship was

torpedoed on his birthday in 1942. My brother was considered one of the

best fighter pilots in the Air Force and was asked to join the

Thunderbirds. My uncle served at Iwo Jima in an exclusive Marine

division. My great grandfather lied about his age so he could join the

Union army and serve through the duration of the Civil War.

“If Garofalo thinks he can paint me as unpatriotic, then he is not

just a fool; he is a desperate fool.”

PHOTO JARGON

At its meeting last week, Fountain Valley City Clerk Susan Lynn told

City Council members that they should approve an annual citizen photo

contest.

“I would suggest you all avoid leaving this issue on the cutting room

floor,” she said.

GETTING OFF WORK

Jerry Urner, president of the Huntington Harbour Property Owner’s

Assn., presented Awards of Appreciation to 11 city employees at last

week’s Huntington Beach City Council meeting for their outstanding

service to the Huntington Harbour community.

Urner presented a glass clock to the employees as one of the awards.

He quipped that the clocks will have alarms that go off to let the

employees know when they can get off work.

-- Compiled by Kenneth Ma, Theresa Moreau and Torus Tammer