Mr. Hill has made a number of errors in his letter urging the Los Alamitos City Council to overrule the Airport Land Use Commissions’ 5-1 vote that found three sites zoned for residential development adjacent to the Joint Force Military Training Base to be incompatible with the Base’s operations and public safety.
First, I quote Mr. Hill:
“ALUC is simply a referral committee, not an authority (least of all an expert) on airport land usage”
Of the 5 board members serving: Mark Monin and Stephen F. Beverburg hold professional Class C pilot licenses. Mr. Alan Murphy is the Manager of Operations at John Wayne Airport. Schelly Sustarsic is on the Seal Beach City Council, and the Chair Mr. Gerald Bresnahan, a vice president of California Research Tabulation, is the son of the Robert Bresnahan, the first manager of Orange County Airport in 1968. When Robert Bresnahan arrived in Orange County, the airport handled a total of 66,500 passengers. By 1978, the year of his departure, the facility— designed to handle only 400,000 passengers per year— passed the 2 million mark. Airport use is in the Chairman’s blood. The Executive Director Lea U. Choum, has 17 years as a planning manager at John Wayne Airport.
All in all, it is reasonable to conclude that these Commission Members and their Executive Director are far more qualified as experts on airport land use than Mr. Hill or any member of the Los Alamitos City Council.
Second, the Commission is not trivial “referral service.”
The Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) is governed by the California Public Utilities Code Section 21670 and has a basic responsibility to assist local agencies in ensuring compatible land uses in the vicinity of all airports in the County. The ALUC reviews land use proposals near civilian and military airports and other land use issues which have a potential impact on airport operations. The ALUC strives to protect the public from adverse effects of aircraft noise, ensure that people and facilities are not concentrated in areas susceptible to aircraft incidents and to ensure that no structure or land use activities adversely affect the operational integrity of the airports or their navigable airspace
The Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos is one of three regional Office of Emergency Services facilities declared by the Governor’s Office. It is critical for disaster management. It is critical that flight operations are maintained free from interference of encroaching development.
The 375 page Airport Environs Land Use Plan for the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos is chalked full of rules and regulations that Mr. Hill may not have had the time to read before demeaning the qualifications of the Commission and its Executive Officer.
https://files.ocair.com/media/2021-02/JFTB,LosAlamitos-AELUP2017.pdf?VersionId=jhDzARCp3ECzHQ6jiMzrb06mM5H0Nv89
Daniel Brandt
Public Safety Employee
Seal Beach
The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) was proud to donate $55,000 on August 16 to fund stipends for six counseling interns for this school year. The interns will work closely with the district Wellness Counselors at each school site. Los Alamitos USD has five Wellness Counselors providing curriculum and counseling support in school Well Spaces – Stacy Eatmon at Los Alamitos and Lee, Tina Heeren at McGaugh and Rossmoor, Stacy Schmitz at Hopkinson and Weaver, Kirsten Jensen at McAuliffe and Oak, and Emily Ledterman at Los Alamitos High School.
With Well Spaces on all nine district campuses, LAEF is committed to partnering with the district to keep them well staffed. “Providing these stipends is just another step in making sure our counselors are able to reach all students who enter our Well Spaces seeking support,” said LAEF Executive Director, Carrie Logue.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are truly grateful for the generous contributions made by the Los Alamitos Education Foundation,” said Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Andrew Pulver. “This donation highlights LAEF’s steadfast dedication to the well-being of our students, while also enabling the District to draw in a greater number of skilled interns. This partnership with LAEF not only enriches the educational experience for our students but also invests in the growth and development of our future school counselors.”
Next month, a Wellness Garden, named The Oasis by students, is set to officially open at Los Alamitos High School (LAHS) giving students a calm outdoor space adjacent to the Well Space. The LAHS Well Space, known as The Loft, opened last fall and is already a commonly used space for students to reset and seek counseling support.
In the Fall of 2022, LAEF expanded support of Well Spaces district-wide by providing $18,000 ($3000 per school) to provide furniture and decor for the new elementary school Well Spaces. In 2021, LAEF donated $25,000 to support the salary of the middle school mental health counselor. In 2019-2020, LAEF donated $60,000 for the construction of Well Spaces at both district middle schools: Oak and McAuliffe. This marks the eighth year in a row that LAEF has made funding mental health a top priority.
These donations are possible because of LAEF’s major donor group: the Los Al Leadership Circle (LALC). LALC members are distinguished, significant supporters who commit to donating a minimum of $1,000 annually to LAEF’s visionary work. To learn more, please visit LAEF4Kids.org/LALC.
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF impacts all students by providing significant funding for mental health, STEAM teachers/instruction, and program scholarships, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources. For more information, visit LAEF4Kids.org or call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424.
Photo by Ted Apodaca
Anthony League rushed for 287 yards and six touchdowns to help power Los Alamitos to a 63-25 win over Western High in their season opener on Friday at Western High. The Griffins will host La Serna on Friday at 7 p.m. at Veteran’s Stadium Long Beach.
On the day the first weekly rankings by the CIF State office were released, the numbers 14 and 15 teams faced off in the home opener for the Los Alamitos High girls volleyball team. The Griffins, ranked 14th, were hosting the Long Beach Wilson Bruins, who had earned the 15th ranking in the state.
Los Alamitos would eventually win the match in four sets, 25-19, 25-27, 25-19, 25-23. After splitting the first two sets, the Griffins were able to win the pivotal third set with a late 4-0 run that quickly closed out a tight game.
Leading 21-19, the Griffins got a point off a Bruin net violation. Sophomore outside hitter Brynn Minter followed with a cross-court kill and then a soft tap off a block that put the Griffins at set point, 24-19. Long Beach then hit a shot long to end the set.
In the fourth set, the Griffins got off to a quick start, taking a 9-1 lead and still led 13-6 before the Bruins began to chip away at the lead. When senior Chloe Pravednikov had a kill, followed by two hits out of bounds by the Griffins, the Bruins had cut the lead to 16-12.
Wilson would then go on a 4-0 run, with a kill off a block by junior Audrey Kovacs and an ace by senior Camille Agrupis, the Bruins had closed to within 17-16. When the Bruins went on a 5-0 that ended with a huge block for a point by senior Emiya Green, the Bruins had gained a 22-19 lead.
But the Griffins were able to stem the tide and regain the momentum. Sparked by kills by junior Katy Foley and Minter, as well as a block for a point by senior Elon Milroy, the Griffins were able to regain the lead, 23-22. After the Bruins tied the set, the Griffins got a point, when senior Kaia Herweg tapped down an overpass and Milrow closed out the match with a kill down the middle.
Herweg wound up leading the Griffins with 15 kills, 21 assists and 10 digs. Milrow had eight kills and three blocks and Foley had 11 kills with three blocks.
THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards® including Best Musical, is pleased to announce a lottery for $25 tickets for each performance in Costa Mesa playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from September 5 – 10, 2023. A limited number of tickets will be available for every performance for $25 each. Guests may register for the lottery by registering at luckyseat.com beginning Friday, August 18th.
The wildly popular lottery for the Broadway production has attracted as many as 800 entries at some performances. The producers of THE BOOK OF MORMON are pleased to offer low-priced lottery seats for every city on the National Tour.
The drawings are simple. First, make a Lucky Seat account at luckyseat.com. If you don’t have one already – it’s super easy to do! Next, select The Book of Mormon lottery in Costa Mesa and select the performances you wish to enter for. If you enter, be sure to keep an eye on your email around 11:00am on Thursday, August 31 to find out if you won. Drawings will begin at 11:am PT and will continue throughout the day as needed. Winners have a limited window to purchase and claim their tickets.
THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. The Broadway production is directed by Parker and Tony Award® winner Casey Nicholaw and choreographed by Nicholaw. The tour is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner based on the original Broadway direction and choreography. Set design is by three-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design is by Tony Award winner Ann Roth, lighting design is by five-time Tony Award winner Brian MacDevitt, sound design is by two-time Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, and hair design is by Josh Marquette. Orchestrations are by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman and two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus. Music supervision and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus. Casting is by Carrie Gardner
THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical; the 2011 GRAMMY® Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical; and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 GRAMMY® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.
NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS (Producer) is an industry-leading producer of touring theatrical productions, committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide for more than 25 years. www.networkstours.com
For more information, visit thebookofmormontour.com
Regularly priced single tickets for THE BOOK OF MORMON start at $49 and are available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at (714)755-0236.
Local elected officials gathered with organizational supporters Saturday at a rustic setting within the city of Huntington Beach to raise awareness and funds for a local nonprofit that rescues horses then uses them to provide tranquility to students, first responders and others who could benefit from Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).
The Cattle Baron’s Ball was held at the Red Horse Barn at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center (HCPEC). Guests came dressed in this year’s “Yellowstone” theme.
Free Rein rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes horses that have been abused and enlists their incredible “horse sense” in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) programs, said Justine MaKoff, the group’s co-founder, and President.
Photo by Robbie Clark L-R Justine Makoff, Mary Behrens, owner/operator of the HCPEC, and Jay Dablow, Free Rein volunteer and event MC.
She said Saturday’s event raised money to support the year-round efforts of the foundation, which will turn ten years old next year.
The Foundation uses rescue horses in the treatment and training of humans is a non-traditional therapeutic approach. Activities provide opportunities to explore ways of managing difficult situations, fears, attitudes, and ways of being in relationships and society.
“Free Rein’s Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy programs provide incredible benefits for people suffering from anxiety, depression, anger management issues, drug addiction, grief and loss, and trauma,” she said.
During EAP sessions, mental health treatment goals and issues are addressed through activities that aim to reflect real life issues. As counseling and therapy are part of the process, our EAP professionals are obliged to follow a code of ethics such as respecting confidentiality and privacy of the client/s, as with any psychotherapeutic modality.
“Our Equine-Assisted Learning Programs are focused on children and teenagers who learn valuable life lessons with the help of our horses. In our 8-week (one session per week) EAL program, kids learn about themselves, their relationships with other people, and about their interaction with the world around them.
Courtesy photo L-R Justine Makoff, Mary Behrens, owner/operator of the HCPEC, and Jay Dablow, Free Rein volunteer and event MC.
“Our proprietary curriculum, developed by Free Rein’s founder, Dr. Carole Harris, specifically addresses issues that children and teenagers face, including peer pressure, bullying, drugs, gangs, leadership, and self-confidence,” she said.
Makoff said Dr. Harris approached her with the idea a decade ago and together, they co-founded the organization. “Now, if you can imagine nine years ago equine therapy when she came and told me her dream I thought she was a little cuckoo. Because I hadn’t really heard of people doing therapy with horses. So back then it was pretty new,” said Makoff in an interview with ENE.
“But I talked to her quite a bit since and I have a deep desire to help and work with underserved youth. I’ve been doing a lot of work with the Los Angeles Police Department and taking kids surfing and hiking and ice skating because I really believe if you expose individuals to other opportunities and open their eyes to what’s possible, you can change lives,” she said.
“I also ride and love horses. So the thought of being able to take the two things that I’m passionate about and bring them together was really attractive to me. So we started nine years ago. Originally it was called Horse Nation Inc. We had a whole rebranding about five or six years ago and changed it to Free Rein Foundation,” she said.
Our very first group started with the assistance of former Huntington Beach Police Chief Handy, said Makoff.
In the past decade, Makoff said the Free Rein Foundation has rescued several wild Mustangs. She said the organization keeps between a dozen and 20 horses at their facility within the city limits of Huntington Beach.
She said the multi-acre facility also includes “an urban forest. You can’t even believe its in a beach city community when you are out there,” she said.
“It’s so peaceful and private and we allow anything to be a part of the client’s stories. So, whatever is happening inside our pastures with the horses and outside the pastures with the bunnies, the birds, the trees, whatever, it all really becomes part of the fabric of our healing journey,” said Makoff, saying the facility is enjoying rapid growth and acceptance.
While wildfires are well known to Californians, the sudden brush fire in the unlikely location in Hawaii that killed approximately 100 people has drawn support from the American Legion Post in Los Alamitos.
According to the memo, the response has been so overwhelming that the items are filling up the post and the Commander is eager to find transportation assistance to move the donations around.
In a letter made public this week, American Legion Post 716 Commander James Eubanks issued an appeal this week for supplies to send in relief to those affected by Hawaii’s devastating fire.
“I am reaching out in hopes of soliciting some assistance,” Eubanks began his letter. “Several days ago Post and Squadron 716 (Los Alamitos) put out the word to its membership and the local neighborhood that we were collecting goods to send to Hawaii to assist them with the goods they need,” he said.
“We believed we had transportation lined up for the cargo, but we soon found out that the promise was for personal hygiene items only,” he added.
“Since we put out the word, we have had a tremendous amount of clothing and food coming into the post, to the point we are having to store items in our bar. The items are still coming in all day and we are in the process of packaging and weighing everything. Instead of boxes, we are now talking pallets and we have yet to secure transportation.”
“I am reaching out to all, looking for anyone that can assist in getting these items shipped, any contact that you may have that will assist or knowledge in regard to shipping these items will be greatly appreciated. We must get these items shipped, since they were donated for Hawaii, I feel that we must be true to our word. Our reputation as a trustworthy nonprofit organization dictates that we do so,” said Eubanks in the open letter.
“We find that in the process of doing this good deed, we have created a monster and can use some assistance,” Eubanks said asking the community for help.
In addition to serving as Post Commander, Eubanks is the District 29 Commander, Past Detachment Commander and the current Post Commander.
Any person or organization wanting to assist can reach out to pd*********@***oo.com or call 714-299-8441.
Lines formed even before the chain linked gates at the old firehouse at 12th and PCH were opened Saturday as the 17th Annual Electric Magic Classic Rock Beachfest returned to the stage in Sunset Beach.
“It went really, really well,” said organizer Barbara D’Angelo, who has put together the event for the better part of two decades.
Next gen group Familiar Faces, more cmmonly known as The Bierman Brothers, perform at the Electric Magic Classs Rock Beachfest on Saturday. Courtesy photo
“The people of Sunset Beach love this kind of music,” she said, “so they had an amazing time.”
D’Angelo said this is the second event she has staged since the pandemic and it looks like people are back and fully engaged in the event. She said while prices have gone up, everyone that normally helps jumped right in to make it a very successful event.
Complete with tie-dyed psychedelic cloth strung from end-to-end, D’Angelo and her team converted the patio and basketball courts of the Sunset Beach Community Association into a stage setting that could have been in vogue during the heyday of rock and roll.
Next gen group Familiar Faces, more cmmonly known as The Bierman Brothers, perform at the Electric Magic Classs Rock Beachfest on Saturday. Courtesy photo
Once all of the bills are paid, she said the proceeds of the event will again be turned over to the SBCA for use on community projects, she added. “We’re still doing the accounting,” she said, but it looks like the effort will produce $5,437 for the Sunset Beach Community Association, one of the highest totals yet.
D’Angelo said this year’s Classic Rock lineup included crowd favorites, Strange Days (a Doors tribute band featuring Jason Tosta as Jim Morrison) and Led Zepland (Led Zeppelin tribute band featuring Shawn Kelly performing as Robert Plant).
Looking to the future, D’Angelo said she invited next gen rockers Familiar Faces to open this year’s show. She said the group, fronted by Sean and Chad Bierman, a pair of 20-year-old identical twins opened with a mixture of original songs that were “extremely well received” by the sell out crowd.
Strange Days had the crowd singing along as they performed many of the Doors classic tunes with Kelly and his piercing voice with Zepland closing the show in royal rock fashion with a throwback treat to Led Zep’s popular tunes, including the rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven.”
“We are grateful to everyone who turned out and had a great time,” said D’Angelo.
On Sunday, August 13th, the Fesval of Arts of Laguna Beach celebrated the talent and hard work of Orange County students at the annual Junior Art Awards Ceremony. This year, nearly 250 pieces of artwork from Orange County students in grades pre-kindergarten to 12th are featured in the Junior Arts Exhibit. The 2023 Junior Art Exhibit is sponsored in part by California First Leasing Corporation, Mark Porterfield of Laguna Beach and a grant from the FOA Foundation.
During the awards ceremony, the 2023 Junior Art Exhibit winners were acknowledged, honored, and presented with gold, silver, and bronze medallions and certificates of achievement. A jury made up of Laguna Beach residents Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima, Gayleen Beyers with California First Leasing Corporation, and Kirsten Whalen from the FOA Foundation selected the winners. Awards were given in the categories of 2D art and 3D art. NEW for this year, the Festival of Arts exhibited animation works from Orange County students and awarded the first-ever winners in this new category. The ceremony also included the presentation of various honorable mentions chosen by Junior Art Coordinator Nikita Young, a Directors Award handpicked by Festival of Arts Exhibits Director Christine Georgantas, and special acknowledgment for students whose artwork was chosen to be featured on the 2023 Junior Art postcards.
“Thank you for coming today. I’m thrilled to have you all here to celebrate the incredible talents of these young artists,” shared Festival of Arts President David Perry during his welcome speech. “These artworks were picked from many entries sent by schools in Orange County. The Junior Art Exhibit is always impressive, with unique art and new talents. Parents, feel proud of your kids and what they’ve done.”
Mark Porterfield of Laguna Beach and FOA Foundation board member Kirsten Whalen assisted in distributing the awards in front of the friends, family members, and art instructors who turned out to support and congratulate the recipients of the Junior Art Awards. Perry also recognized the art teachers for inspiring these young artists.
Since its inception in 1947, the Junior Art Exhibit has come to be regarded as one of the highlights of the summer show. Selected by art authorities from thousands of submissions representing schools throughout Orange County, works by over 250 students (PK-12) are on display in the Junior Art Gallery. For over 70 years, the exhibit has become not only a showcase for new generations of young Orange County student artists, but also a vivid testimonial to the value and importance of continuing arts education in our school systems.
The 76th Annual Junior Art Exhibit is produced in partnership with the OC Department of Education and Arts OC. The Festival of Arts is a nonprofit organization. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.
To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, follow the Festival on social media at @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.
Inspired to create change, Lina Lumme leveraged her network to grow the operations of The Youth Center to serve more children. She was selected as a CEO of The Youth Center in 2010, the youngest female executive in the history of the organization. Under her leadership, new programs were added, a record amount of scholarships were provided and a new Center for Kids was built.
Recently, Lina was recognized by Senator Janet Nguyen and the California Legislature as 2022 Woman of Distinction. She was congratulated by the 36th District Senator for her dedication and service to the local community. “I recognize you for your time of service and all that you’ve done throughout the years for this community”, said the Senator, “Our district would not be what it is today without you”.
And though Lumme is quiet about her achievements, she also received a Kindness Award and Super Star Award from LAUSD Board Member Chris Forehan. She was also recently recognized with an Honorary Service Award from Los Alamitos Council of PTAs. This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding service to children and youth in the community going above and beyond what is asked of them. Lina Lumme is very prominent in the Every 15 Minutes program, annual community events, and is a very active member of the local community.
The Youth Center Congratulates Lina Lumme for being recognized as a 2023 Inspirational Women nominee by Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing and Events. With the Youth Center’s new location opening in October of 2023, we look forward to new growth under Lumme’s leadership.
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Communicable Disease Control Division is reporting an increase in the percentage of positive COVID-19 PCR tests in Orange County residents over the past month.
To minimize the severity of the recent increase, the HCA is reminding residents to take preventative actions to reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization.
The recent increase resembles previous seasons where the disease activity rises during both the summer and winter months. Additionally, the age distribution of recent cases follows the pattern seen over the past year with the highest rates occurring among those 0-3 years of age and 75 years and older. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are not currently experiencing an increase.
“To reduce the potential for increased hospitalizations, the community is encouraged to take precautions to protect those at higher risks,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, HCA’s chief of Public Health Services and county health officer. “As people spend more time gathering with friends, there will be more opportunities for viruses to spread. If we all take precautions, we can keep each other safe.”
If you recently attended a large gathering/event, traveled or came into close contact with someone who has COVID-19, self-monitor for symptoms and get tested.
If you are sick, stay home and get tested.
Wearing a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces has been shown to be an effective intervention at decreasing the risk of acquiring or spreading COVID-19.
All individuals should continue to practice good cough and hand hygiene.
The HCA recommends all individuals 6 months and older stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. To schedule a vaccine appointment, visit myturn.ca.gov.
Adults and children at risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 disease should be assessed for appropriate COVID-19 treatment. For more information about COVID-19 treatment, go to covid19.ca.gov/treatment.
For more information on COVID-19, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid. Additionally, the HCA responds to community inquiries through the agency’s Health Referral Line at 1 800-564-8448, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clinicians are advised to remain informed of updated COVID-19 guidance:
The OC Health Care Agency is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources.
Visit ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources.
Aviation is the safest form of transportation in the City of Los Alamitos. So why does the ALUC want to control land use decisions best left to local decision makers?
The Orange County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) is made up of political appointees and not aviation land use experts. How do I know? Because I’m an actual aviation safety, airport planning and airport land use compatibility expert. I have spent my entire career grappling with difficult aviation safety problems and looking for balanced land use compatibility solutions for communities just like the City of Los Alamitos. For nearly 35 years I have devoted my practice to serving the interests of improving aviation safety while providing economic prosperity and smart land use decisions to the people living nearby airports. Despite my expertise, you don’t have to rely on my analysis of the City’s Housing Element sites or take my word for it. You can look to the ALUC staff’s own analysis for the right answer.
The ALUC has a set of objective aviation safety and noise criteria for measuring compatibility with their plan. Their staff reviewed the Los Alamitos Housing Element and guess what they found?
Aviation safety: All proposed housing sites comply with the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) airport safety Clear Zones (and it’s not even close). All sites comply with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airspace protection areas (also not even close).
Aviation noise: All housing sites comply with the ALUC noise contours.
Then you ask; how did the ALUC find the City’s Housing Element incompatible if all the City’s housing opportunity sites comply with their objective criteria? What I found is that the ALUC sees their role as something larger than their stated plan.
The ALUC has taken the activist position throughout Orange County that if you want to build residential anywhere within their jurisdiction, they will oppose it. It’s that simple. Don’t let the facts, their actual adopted plans or the objective FAA safety facts get in the way. Ask the Cities of Seal Beach, Newport Beach, and Irvine as they were each forced to overrule the ALUC to adopt their Housing Elements and avoid the ALUC power grab.
Again, how do I know this is the ALUC position? Because I have worked on residential projects and plans in the County to make them compatible with the ALUC plans. I have worked for cities, landowners and developers trying to reconcile the ALUC’s stated criteria with their bias against any residential development near airports in the County.
JFTB is one of only three airports in Orange County. And yet some of the most densely populated areas of the County are within the airport land use planning areas of these three airports. These are not green field airports without people living, working, and playing near them. These are urban communities where the demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply. Over 2,500 existing homes and over 10,000 people live closer to the Base and its flight paths than the nearest housing opportunity sites in the City’s Housing Element.
Military service members, teachers, cops, firefighters, and nurses need to be able to live affordably in the communities they serve. Without continued housing development these people are the first to be pushed out of Los Alamitos.
The ALUC contends that they, as an unelected advisory commission that rarely meets and with no members from Los Alamitos, know what’s best for the City’s housing and land use planning. Despite their own objective standards for aviation safety and aircraft noise being met, they think they should control the sovereign duty of the City Council over land use.
Not just for the City’s Housing Element but for all planning, development and permitting decisions in the City. That’s because if the City Council fails to overrule the ALUC’s planning whim, all development decisions in the City will fall to the ALUC.
Nick Johnson,
Oak Park
Shelley Hasselbrink misspoke
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to your article which appeared on August 10, 2023, in the Event-News Enterprise (“Final vote on Airport Land Use Plan (ALUC) expected in August”) and the Seal Beach Sun (“College Park East residents await Los Alamitos ALUC vote”).
In David Young’s August 10th article, Los Alamitos City Council Member Shelley Hasselbrink is quoted. She stated that I had voted to overrule the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) as a Seal Beah City Councilmember. That is indeed what Councilmember Hasselbrink stated at the July 17, 2023, Los Alamitos City Council meeting, but it is not true.
At the August 29, 2022, Seal Beach Special City Council meeting, the vote was 4-1 to overrule the ALUC decision on the Seal Beach Housing Element Update and I was the dissenting vote. In addition, while I am a member of the Airport Land Use Commission, I had recused myself from their February 17, 2022, meeting, at which the Seal Beach Housing Element Update was reviewed. I did not vote, or attend, in order to avoid any conflict of interest.
I have attached the minutes from the August 29, 2022, Seal Beach Special City Council Meeting (ALUC overrule), which shows the record of the vote. I would expect that the reported misinformation will be corrected.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Schelly Sustarsic
Seal Beach Mayor Pro Tem
Editor’s Note:
Along with Council member Schelly Sustarsic’s note, the City of Seal Beach included documentation of the vote which confirmed that Sustarsic had indeed voted against the overrule.
Council member Hasselbrink has also conceded that she misspoke after being given incorrect information.
Letter to the Editor
“I misspoke when I said the Seal Beach ALUC override vote was unanimous. I was given bad information and didn’t do my proper due diligence. I wanted to make the point that every city in Orange County with airports has overridden the ALUC finding. My comment about how Schelly voted was not even necessary. I will do better,” wrote Hasselbrink in a note to ENE.
The state of CA has mandated a housing plan for our city to add 769 homes over the next 8 years. This is not optional. Ours is a small city. The housing plan submitted cost our city and staff time and money and was ultimately approved by the state.
ALUC is simply a referral committee, not an authority (least of all expert) on airport land usage. As an example, I am a member of the Los Al Traffic Commission. I can say there are many more qualified experts than myself on the subject of traffic.
The recommendation of ALUC not to approve the plan seems flawed. After all, ALUC refuses to accept the most current map outlining safety and sound impacted areas near the JFTB. They are using an outdated map that includes certain areas of the housing plan in sound impacted areas. Note, these are not safety impacted areas, simply noise. There are easy remediation techniques to reduce the impact of sound. If a person chooses to live in an area with noise, that is their option. Even so, we should not even be having this discussion since the most current map, created by actual experts and authorities from the JFTB, does not include the area in question in any sound or safety impacted area.
Furthermore, a letter to the city from ALUC states clearly that “ALUC may impose compliance requirements on the local agency…..the commission may require that the local agency submit all subsequent actions, regulations, and permits to the commission for review….”. Why would the city, or its residents, want ALUC involved with our decisions? Why would our city choose to relinquish local control? How would that benefit Los Al?
ALUC is routinely overruled by cities. Considering this is simply a noise issue, not safety, as some would have you believe, it seems reasonable that we would overrule ALUC as well. It is interesting that we already have some 2,500 homes in these areas as we speak. In fact, there are other areas in our city more impacted by noise from busy streets and freeways than the JFTB.
In addition, it seems clear ALUC has a considerable conflict of interest since some of its committee resides in College Park East, including their local city council member. Of course, she has an obligation to represent her community. They would prefer not to have additional housing there. I think most of us share that opinion. Unfortunately, the state does not share our concerns about single-family neighborhoods or quality of life. This is a decision that needs to be made in the interest of Los Alamitos residents, not outside interests.
We have a chance to build a part of our housing element plan in the least invasive area of our city. If we limit our buildable area to those not included in the old map, we have a very small window to put all 769 houses. The impact would be much more detrimental to our city and the quality of life for our residents.
Don’t get lost in the rhetoric of outside groups and do what serves our city best. Overrule ALUC for a better Los Al.
After several months of contentious debate, the Los Alamitos City Council has agreed to take a final vote in August on whether to overrule an aviation advisory panel that has concluded that proposed sites within the city’s approved housing element are “inconsistent” with the land use plan of the city’s military base.
Courtesy photo The 2 square mile Joint forces Training Base creates regulatory obstacles for city policy planners. Courtesy of City of Loss Al
At issue are noise standards and other criteria that could threaten the validity of the city’s approved housing element, which could be decertified, placed at the mercy of the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) or even the state’s Housing and Community Development agency if the finding is not overruled by the Council.
The dilemma is unique to Los Alamitos in that the Joint Forces Training Base, built in 1942, literally encompasses two-square miles, which is literally half the land size of the entire city, and which has an extra long runway of more than 8,000 feet that requires additional criteria for safe access.
City officials have expressed frustration that the land occupied by the base must be factored into its housing element, but no housing can be constructed on site.
The ALUC is an advisory board given control of regulating the planning process of sites contiguous to the base, including the Airport Environs Land Use Plan (AELUP), which the airport contends is violated by the city’s most recently approved housing unit.
Therefore, the back-and-forth began with a January 19 memorandum from Lea U. Choum, ALUC’s Executive Officer, who outlined in a seven-page letter to commissioners the reasons the Los Al Housing Element was “inconsistent” with AELUP, mostly sighting noise and height issues.
City officials have flatly disagreed with the ALUC findings of “inconsistency,” according to the staff report.
In addition, Council members were told that four Orange County cities, including Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Seal Beach have all already voted to “overrule” similiar ALUC findings. Moreover, Seal Beach Council member Schelly Sustarsic, who is a member of the ALUC board, voted as a Seal Beach City Council member to overrule the finding of the agency on which she serves, Council member Shelley Hasselbrink told the Council.
While there were other potential housing sites named in the plan, most of the focus has been on the Lampson Project, a mixed-use development of approximately 250 units that is proposed for a site near the flight path of the JFTB main runway and was named by ALUC in their finding.
Shortly thereafter receiving the notification of “inconsistency” from ALUC, the city Council voted 3-2 to notify ALUC of its intention to overrule its finding that the city’s housing element was inconsistent with the airport environs of JFTB.
Council members Trisha Murphy and Emily Hibard, both then relatively new to the Council, voted against the intention to overrule, citing unanswered questions.
Since then, the proposed density of the Lampson Project has continued to draw fierce opposition from many residents who live in the College Park East area along Lampson. Technically, however, they are residents of Seal Beach.
The residents have said they are not opposed to the project, per se, but are opposed to putting so many units in a location where traffic snarls are already commonplace. The high density of Lampson will only inevitably make things worse, they say.
At its July meeting, the city arranged a “study session” at which Council members were free to question staff and consultants. The city’s Ron Noda, Director of Development Services and Nichole Kriste, of Terra Nova, one of the city’s lead consultants on the project, answered many questions during the session.
Carol Churchill, an attorney who lives in Rossmoor, and a former mayor of Signal Hill, who opposes the proposed density of the project, asked the Council to come down on the side of protecting the public interest. She said warnings from government agencies are a clarion call to protect the public interest.
“Those letters indicate that their job, as state agencies, is to protect the public health, safety and welfare,” said Churchill. “They are identifying three sites within the element that are inconsistent with public health, safety, and welfare,” she added.
“And, as community leaders, I’m sure that you want to be recognized as people who promote health safety and welfare, first and foremosrt, over developer profits,” Churchill told the Council.
Elizabeth Hanford, who identified herself as representing a group called People for Housing, called on the Council to move forward with the project.
“We have a (housing) shortage and we need cities to facilitate the development of housing,” said Hanford. Less than half of the cities in Orange County have a compliant housing element, Hanford said, complimenting the city on having an approved housing element.
“For all the work you did to get a compliant housing element, it would be really a shame to lose all of that good work and all of those policies simply because you couldn’t come together. You have an approved housing element,” Hanford said, “which gives you the right to make decisions for yourselves. Don’t give that up.”
“I don’t know what kool-aid everybody’s drinking,” said one woman who did not identify herself, but “there is no housing issue crisis. I don’t know if anybody is reading the news, but hundreds of thousands of people are leaving the state,” she said, suggesting there is no housing crisis.
“I spoke several months ago in support of the Lampson Project and that has not changed,” said local real estate professional Randy Hill. “I see it as a gift to our city that is as close to win win as we could ever have it.”
He said the project “fell into our lap at an opportune time and seems to be the best location residents of Los Alamitos could have hoped for” with “minimal negative impact,” said Hill.
“I m really concerned,” said Hasselbrink, noting that if the city does not overrule ALUC, it could “add another layer of bureauracy for residental, business development, and home improvement projects.”
In addition, Hasselbrink said the commission’s board only met on three occasions out of seven potential meetings in 2023, suggesting Los Al join the list of cities who have already voted to overrule ALUC.
Kriste said that if the city does not overrule ALUC, several things could happen, given new teeth put into the state’s housing laws.
Under one scenario, if ALUC is not overruled, developers and residents could be forced to work through ALUC to get permits on even the most simple projects, under another, the City Council could lose control over housing if developers use “builders remedy” to build at will, the Council was told.
In essense, the city could potentially lose the benefit of its approved housing element which does grant city officials a measure of control and governing power to regulate housing in the city, city attorney Michael Daudt confirmed.
“To be clear, I’m not a housing fan,” said Mayor Tanya Doby. “I do not think we need as many allocations as we received and I will say that openly and in any room that I’m in but the only way to maintain the control of our certified housing element is through an override of ALUC’s finding,” said Doby.
In addition, Doby suggested much of the ALUC determination is largely based on 2015 data.
“The entire city could be affected,” said Kriste, if ALUC is not overruled.
City Manager Chet Simmons said all of the questions raised during the session would be answered within the next 30 days as Hasselbrink moved to have a final vote on the issue at the Council’s August meeting.
Following the ALUC discussion, Murphy moved, seconded by Hibard, to bring back to the Council on its August agenda a discussion over ethics and conflicts of interest between the city’s law firm and former interim city manager Les Johnson, now a planner at one of the companies involved in the pending Lampson Project.
Teachers fortunate enough to be hired by the Los Al Unified School District were given the traditional welcome tour this week by Supt. Andrew Pulver, Ed.D., as the new hires prepare to welcome back approximately 10,000 students throughout the system.
School at Weaver Elementary began last week as the first full day for the entire district begins Aug. 14.
At its most recent board meeting this week, the Los Alamitos Unified School District Board got a report about new employee orientation and also voted to raise its pay rates for substitute teachers, making the district among the Top 5 in Orange County.
“One of the many things I love about our profession,” said Pulver, “is that every year we get to start fresh.”
As part of that fresh start, Pulver said the district held new employee orientation activities. “What I love about this district is that we’re small enough to really make it personal.”
In what Pulver called somewhat of a “rite of passage,” that predates his tenure as Superintendent, the new teachers are loaded up onto a school bus and visit all of nine school campuses, where principals and staff are there to welcome the new hires with pom poms, cheers, and at one campus, “taught the teachers how to do the ‘roller coaster.’”
The Los Alamitos Unified School District remains one of the premier districts in Orange County, and Assistant Supt. Ondrea Reed has told the board in the past of prospective teachers lining up hours long before interviews begin just to try to get a foot into the door of the system.
Photo by Nichole Pichardo, Los Al Unified Supt. Andrew Pulver, Ed.D. waves on the school bus carrying the Los Al Unified “new hire” teachers across the district. Principals and administrators had special events prepared for the new teachers which Pulver said has become somewhat of a “rite of passage” for incoming teachers.
The 21 new teachers fortunate enough to be hired this year were given a royal welcome actross the district, said Pulver, including a luncheon held in their honor.
“Our principals roll out the red carpet for them,” he said.
Dr. Ryan Weiss-Wright, a former principal of McAuliffe Middle School, who has become Assistant Supt. for Human Resources and Director of Classified Personnel, was welcomed to the dais by Los Al Unified Board President Chris Forehan.
Weiss-Wright recommended increases in pay rates for substitute teachers that will place the district in among the Top five districts in terms of substitute pay in Orange County which he suggested will help the district compete for hard-to-find subs.
“I’m recommending a rate of $175 per day, a long term rate of $205 per day, and a specialized rate which would require higher approval of $225 per day,” Weiss-Wright told the board. “The new rates would put us in the top five in the county for daily and long-term rates,” he said.
Board member Marlys Davidson urged approval of the new rates, noting that “since COVID, every district has struggled for substitutes.”
The Board did unanimously approve the new rates.
In addition, the Board also approved a data-sharing agreement with the state’s Foundation of California Community Colleges that after learning the data shared will support the systems created to combat learning loss since COVID.
Davidson said more institutions are interested in Los Al Unified data, especially since last year’s feat of graduating every single student in their approximately 800 student class.
“People want to know how we graduated every single senior this past June,” she said. “That is a monumental achievement in education especially when you have a class our size which diversity in terms of background.”
“It was really a united effort of the great cabinet the board most of all the educators and counselors and people on the campuses that made it happen,” she said.
The board on Tuesday also approved its Governance Handbook, which Board member Diana Hill said was truly an accomplishment for the district.
“We come together and review it,” said Hill, noting that “it would be very easy to say ‘we’re doing fine, we don’t need to do that.’ ”
But she said to come together as a district to “come to a mutual agreement on our core values, I think, is really powerful and extremely healthy” for the district.
In other action, the board:
• Approved a negative environmental declaration for a new campus gymnasium complex which means all documented environmental concerns will be fully mitigated.
• Approved two retirement resolutions presented by Dr. Weiss-Wright.
After nearly 29 years with the La Palma Police Department, Chief Terry Kim announced his retirement on August 3, 2023, effective Aug. 18, 2023. “Chief Kim has been a strong and solid fixture in La Palma, helping to keep our community safe for many years,” said Mayor Debbie Baker.
Chief Kim started with the City in 1995 as a police officer, rose through the ranks, and was appointed Chief of Police in 2016. City Manager Conal McNamara thanked Chief Kim for his service, saying “Chief Kim has been a consummate professional, shepherding the La Palma Police Department through challenging times including a budgetary downsizing and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
During his tenure as Police Chief, Terry Kim has been a steadfast advocate for community-oriented policing and has played a pivotal role in enhancing public safety and forging strong relationships between law enforcement and the citizens of La Palma. His dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism have left an indelible mark on the department and the community it serves.”
Mr. McNamara announced that La Palma Captain Ron Wilkerson will be appointed Acting Chief of Police on August 17th. “I look forward to working with Captain Wilkerson as he assumes the role of Acting Chief, leading the men and women of the La Palma Police Department,” McNamara said. Captain Wilkerson started his career with the La Palma Police Department in 1996 and, most recently, has been a Captain overseeing both the Administrative and Operations divisions for the Department.
Captain Wilkerson has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities, a deep understanding of the community’s needs, and a commitment to fostering positive relationships with residents and stakeholders.
“I am honored and humbled to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the La Palma Police Department into the future,” said incoming Acting Chief Wilkerson. “I am committed to building upon the strong foundation laid by Chief Kim and working collaboratively with our officers, community members, and partners to ensure the City of La Palma remains a safe and welcoming place for its residents.”
The La Palma community expresses its deepest gratitude to Chief Terry Kim for his exemplary service and wishes him a fulfilling retirement.
The Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department is excited to host its inaugural MemorialCare Elevate Encore Senior Expo! This first-time event for those ages 50 plus is designed to provide health, wellness, and resources for your Second Act including in areas such as: housing, legal resources, insurance, medical assistance, transportation, caregiving resources, leisure activities and more.
Additionally, a portion of the fair is designated as a senior volunteer fair, with an opportunity for nonprofit organizations seeking older adult or retired adults as volunteers. This event is completely free and will take place at the Los Alamitos Community Center (10911 Oak St) on Wednesday, August 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A light breakfast will be provided along with special giveaway lunch coolers for the first 100 in attendance. A wide variety of door prizes will be raffled off to those in attendance as well.
For more information, please visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430 – 1073.
How do you find redemption when someone you love has committed a terrible crime? International City Theatre presents a powerful and moving new play by Wendy Graf. ICT producing artistic director caryn desai [sic] directs the world premiere of Exit Wounds for a three-week run, August 25 through September 10. Two low-priced previews take place August 23 and 24.
Recipient of the Moss Hart & Kitty Carlisle Hart New Play Initiative Gold Medallion award, Exit Wounds unravels slowly… like a mystery. What was the tragic event that caused Linda Sadowski (Suanne Spoke) to become a hoarder? Why has she retreated from life and not seen her son (Michael Polak) for over 25 years? How can Linda stem the ripple effect of the family’s past and save the 17-year-old grandson (Hayden Kharrazi) she’s never met?
Known for writing hard-hitting family dramas that ask difficult questions and feature layered and complex characters, Graf wanted to look at the human story behind the sensationalist headlines of a tragedy.
“We always hear about the families of the victims, but what happens to the families of the perpetrators?” she asks. “Can they ever live a normal life again? I wanted to explore how entire families can become defined by the actions of one member, and how the fallout from one person’s act can affect future generations.”
“The point of view is fascinating, and one we seldom give much thought to,” says desai. “While it doesn’t lessen the heartbreak, it expands our capacity for compassion, acknowledges our common humanity, and leaves room for hope.”
The creative team for Exit Wounds includes set designer Yuri Okahana-Benson, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Dave Mickey and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The production stage manager is Letitia Chang.
A multiple award-winning, Los Angeles-based playwright, Graf’s other plays include Closely Related Keys, which International City Theatre produced in 2021 (“powerful… bold and relevant” — Press Telegram); Unemployed Elephants–A Love Story (Victory Theatre: Stage Raw Top Ten; Stage Scene LA “Scenie” awards for outstanding production and two-hander); Please Don’t Ask About Becket (Electric Footlights at Sacred Fools Theatre); All American Girl (InterAct Theatre Company: Stage Raw Top Ten and 2015 award nominations for playwriting and solo performance, LA Weekly “GO!”, Stage Scene LA “Scenie” award for outstanding solo performance production, Better Lemons “Best of 2015” list); No Word in Guyanese for Me (2012 GLAAD Award, Helen Hayes Award-recommended); Behind the Gates; Lessons (L.A. production directed by Gordon Davidson); and Leipzig (LADCC nomination; Garland Award for playwriting; Dorothy Silver finalist). Ms. Graf is a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA and Pacific Resident Theatre writing units, and of the Dramatists Guild of America.
Exit Wounds runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., August 25 through September 10. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, August 23 and Thursday, August 24 both at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (except August 25, opening night, for which tickets are $55 and include a post show reception), and $52 at Sunday matinees. Low-priced tickets to previews are $37.
International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center at 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or go to www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.
Ed Allred, owner and CEO of Los Alamitos Racecourse has announced he will invest a minimum of $500,000 and up to $1 million over the next 12 months on a series of significant improvement projects to the backstretch facilities at Los Al Racecourse in Cypress.
According to an account on Bloodhorse.com, the Orange County track will begin with the first set of new upgrades beginning immediately.
The article said Los Alamitos Racecourse management, which includes track president Cathy Monji, interim racing director Jordan Castaneda, and track superintendent Frank Sherren, have been conducting thorough inspections of all backstretch areas in recent weeks to designate and prioritize the projects.
They said starting Aug. 7, work has started with modernizing men’s and women’s bathrooms in the backstretch. New concrete has already been poured into designated areas to help prevent standing water and avoid excess mud around the barns.
The improvements are in addition to the year-round repairs conducted by the maintenance staff at Los Alamitos in the barn area, which includes any type of roofing needs and repairs to the barns.
In June Los Alamitos completed work on improvements to the receiving barn and testing areas prioritizing suggestions and recommendations from staff in those areas. Los Alamitos also built a brand-new office at the main entrance of the barn area for more efficient traffic control.
“We are going to continue to improve and modernize our backstretch at Los Alamitos Race Course,” Allred said. “The work on announced projects will start right away.”
Less than 10 years ago, after the closure of Hollywood Park and in anticipation of the Southern California Thoroughbred racing circuit’s need for training and racing, Los Alamitos Race Course conducted an extensive racetrack expansion from a five-eighths-mile track to a one-mile dirt track. This landmark construction was completed ahead of the announced deadlines and featured major changes, as well as improvements to the barn area.
These improvements included adding four new, modern, and full-sized barns in preparation for the influx of horses from Hollywood Park. A new receiving barn closer to the paddock area was also built; and the large walking area between the rows of barns was completely changed from a paved path to a dirt path—consistent to the dirt being used on the racetrack—to improve horse and rider safety.
Additional projects to the barn area for 2023-2024 will be announced in the months to come.
The Rossmoor Woman’s Club recently presented Maderas Steak and Ribs restaurant owner Art Garcia with a check for $1,000 to support his work with military veterans. Garcia has been on a mission to help veterans for the last 19 years. Among other things, his Los Alamitos-based restaurant prepares holiday meals for patients at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital on the Fourth of July and Christmas “These men need barbecue,” Garcia says. The outspoken restaurateur believes wounded vets “aren’t treated right,” and it’s his calling to use his cooking talents to let them know they aren’t forgotten.
The donation is among more than $59,000 the Rossmoor Woman’s Club made in the past year to local non-profits, charitable enterprises and student scholarships. The club raised the money through two major annual community fundraisers, the Spring Garden Tour in May and Holiday Home Tour in December.
The club, affiliated with the international General Federation of Women’s Clubs, has been supporting the greater north Orange County and Long Beach areas since 1958. Members do not have to live in Rossmoor. Find more information online at rossmoorwomansclub.org.
