Lady Highlanders, Heralds suffer tough losses in CIF See Sports Page 17
La Habra’s Independent Community Newspaper
www.lahabrajournal.com
No. 95431
May 22, 2014
Split vote regulates LH truck vendors
Celebrating avocados
By Jay Seidel La Habra Journal
In a split decision Monday, the La Habra City Council adopted the ordinance creating new regulations for truck vendor operations within the city. Citing multiple public concerns for child safety around schools, the 3-2 vote by the council applies to ice cream and food vending trucks. Some of the new regulations require truck operators will now not be able to operate within 300 feet of a school during the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. without a special permit. Further limitations include 300 feet from a park and the Children’s Museum. Trucks are prohibited to stop on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or more. Mayor Tom Beamish and Council woman Rose Espinoza voted against the ordinance changes. Espinoza explained that she voted against the ordinance change because no representatives from the truck vendors were consulted when planning the new ordinance. “It’s going to be harder for us to make a living,” said Gerry Alquisra, a truck vendor servicing La Habra for 25 years.
Jay Seidel/La Habra Journal
Avocado faces: Tammy Reoch takes photos of her daughters Khiva, 5, and Keedra, 7, as they play with the hand-painted avocado by Ray Fernandez at the annual AvocadoFest last Saturday at The Park in La Habra Heights. After a year hiatus, the community event drew hundreds from all over the area to take part in avocado-themed events, shop from various vendors, listen to live music, sample guacamole and much more. The festival connects with the city’s history. The Haas avocado was first grown in La Habra Heights. For more photos from the day check out Page 8
Residents address oil project concerns By Daniel Hernandez La Habra Journal
LA HABRA HEIGHTS
The Matrix Oil project in La Habra Heights garnered the attention of the community at the May 08 council meeting, as a flood of residents, seeking to voice their concerns before the extended “scoping session” closure, overcrowded the temporary council chambers. Heights Fire Chief Doug Graft and another fire officer forced an overflow of about 30 La Habra Heights residents — many in opposition against the Matrix Oil drilling — to wait outside the temporary city hall chamber doors, showing concern with fire hazards as the room reached its capacity of 35 people.
“I don’t think I ever had this type of turnout in my tenure with the city,” Mayor Brian Bergman said. Comments for the scoping session, which affords the community a chance to voice matters in regards
CORRECTION
In the last issue it was stated that the La Habra Heights City Council approved the decision to grant an extension of the scoping project for Matrix Oil. It was, in fact, the LHH city staff that approved the decision.
Also, it was stated that Matrix Oil had drilling projects ongoing in Whittier. The project was halted in 2013 by a court order. It is able to be BusinessJournal restarted when the statute of limitations ends in June 2015. LA HABRA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
May 8, Clark explained. Based off the mailing date of the notices, staff extended the “scoping session” a period four weeks out. At the council meeting most of the public speaking cards turned in, Bergman stated, were to speak about the Matrix Oil project. Although given the choice to postpone the meeting and move it to a location that accommodates the crowd, Heights council members opted to continue the meeting, and an audio speaker was moved outside where residents at times clapped for community members who spoke out against the Matrix Oil drilling. See MEETING Page 4
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to the Environmental Impact Report for the Matrix Oil drilling project, according to Clark, will not be accepted after the June 09 deadline set by the city staff before the meeting. A new Notice of Preparation, which provides details about the project, was mailed to residents on
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