The Orange County Tribune April 13, 2022

Non-partisan News Opinion Arts & Living Sports

Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster

Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, April 13, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Cannabis store is considered Should the financially troubled City of Westminster find some “green” in a marijuana plant?

At Wednesday night’s meeting of the city council, one item on the agenda is a presentation by Shryne

Westminster Municipal Code does not allow cannabis businesses to Group, Inc. on a request operate in the city. to open a cannabis retail With a one-cent city sales operation in Westminster. tax set to expire at the end The proposed site is at of the year, Westminster council members have 14191 Beach Blvd.

At present, the Continued on page 2

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

IS POT IN CITY’S FUTURE? A proposal has been made in Westminster

n GARDEN GROVE CITY COUNCIL

New contract for police is approved 3.5% annual raises in agreement

By Sydnee Valdez Orange County Tribune

WAS THERE TOO MUCH STUFF? “Excessive storage” in a Garden Grove garage repoirted at site

Stuffed garage site of a fire A garage with “excessive storage conditions” was the site of a fire knocked down Friday night in Garden Grove.

Orange County Fire Authority units attacked the fire in the 12000 block of

Maypole Drive (southwest of Chapman Avenue and Brookhurst Street) and quickly extinguished it.

The blaze was confined to the garage and house was saved from extensive

damage. No injuries were reported.

OCFA firefighters were assisted by Garden Grove police department officers and Anaheim Fire and Rescue units and personnel.

604 new coronavirus cases over 4 days To our readers: Orange County Health Care Agency is now reporting coronavirus cases and deaths on Tuesdays and Fridays only, so those figures will represent an accumulation of statistics

reported from the previous days, rather than a daily number.

Orange County has 604 confirmed new cases of coronavirus in Tuesday’s report from the county

health care agency. That covers data reported to from the previous Friday through Monday.

The total deaths in Tuesday’s report are at 10. Hospitalizations are Continued on page 2

A “Memorandum of Understanding” between the City of Garden Grove and the Garden Grove Police Association that includes a cumulative cost of $7.9 million was approved Tuesday night.

The vote was 6-0 in favor of the three-year deal with Councilmember Patrick Phat Bui absent.

The MOU will be in effect from April 16, 2022 to June 30, 2025. There will be a 3.5 percent base salary increase effective after the approval of the MOU, 3.5 percent base salary increase effective July 2023, and a 3.5 percent base salary increase effective July 2024.

There will also be a homeless liaison officer pay increase of 5 percent of base salary for four police officers and one sergeant in the Special

Resources Team.

The MOU also includes an increase in life insurance coverage to 150 percent of one’s annual salary, as well as increases to medical benefit contributions in July 2022, January 2024, and January 2025.

There will be bilingual Continued on page 2

HB, GG among nation’s safest Garden Grove and Huntington Beach rank among the 35 safest cities in the United States, according to a study by Smartasset. com.

Two hundred cities were evaluated based on a rate per 100,000 residents on incidents of violent crime, property crime,vehicular Continued on page 2

For breaking news and sports all week long, go to www.orangecountytribune.com

2 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Cannabis store is proposed for Westminster Continued from page 1

sought to find “alternate” sources of revenue. Stanton has investigated the possible benefits of allowing not just a retail location within its city limits, but also cultivation and distribution operations.

A consultant told officials there that annual new revenue to the city in that instance could bring in $1 million and more to that city’s treasury.

Huntington Beach is putting the matter of imposing a special sales tax on cannabis before voters for approval in June.

Also on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting is a discussion on allowing shortterm rentals – typically 30 days or less – in the city, as well as a report on the implementation of specific plans for Little Saigon, a downtown district, and the West Side of the city.

The meeting will be held in a hybrid form – both in person and via teleconference – at 8200 Westminster Blvd.

A closed session is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the open session at 7 p.m.

Garden Grove, Hunt, Beach are among nation’s safest Continued from page 1

mortality, drug poisoning mortality and the percentage of population engaged in “excessive drinking.”

Huntington Beach is tied for 26th place with Simi Valley and Garden Grove is 35th. The top-rated city is Frisco, Texas, followed by McKinney, Texas.

The top five is filled out by three

California cities: Santa Clarita, Sunnyvale and Glendale.

Orange County cities ranked in the study are Irvine (18th), Orange (22nd) as well as Huntington Beach and Garden Grove.

For more details, go to: https:// smartasset.com/data-studies/ safest-cities-in-america-2022 .

Coronavirus stats for the OC Continued from page 1

at 86, and the number of people being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units is at 16.

To date, the OC has had 548,718 cases, of which 538,238 are considered recovered. The death toll is at 6,937.

Nationally, The New York Times calculates that – over a

14-day period – new cases have risen by 10 percent, while deaths have declined by 31 percent.

In California, cases are down by 30 percent and deaths by 43 percent.

G. Grove council Continued from page 1

JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844.

E-mail is orangecountytribune@gmail. com.

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Phone: (714) 458-1860.

Established Aug. 6, 2016. All opinions expressed in The Tribune, unless otherwise stated, are those of the individual writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Tribune.

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pay of 3 percent of base salary for verbal skills, and up to 300 hours of association release time will be provided each year.

Lastly, tuition reimbursement will be increased to $3,000 per fiscal year.

While the council approved the agreement, the human resources director will finalize any language changes.

The best in local news The Orange County TRIBUNE The best in local news

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 3

News&Views

Auto parking lot approved

by GG planners

ROBBERY AT JEWELRY STORE IN WESMINSTER MALL Public asked to assist in identifying the suspects

Public’s help sought in smash-n-grab The Westminster Police Department is asking the public’s help in identifying suspects in a smash-and-grab robbery that took place recently in a jewelry store in Westminster Mall.

According to the WPD, the incident took place around 3:49 p.m. at the Kay Jewelers. Two suspects entered the store, smashed display cases with a sledgehammer and took jewelry estimated to be worth $200,000.

The suspects are described as: • a male Black wearing a green puffy jacket,

black pants, gloves and a face mask, carrying an orange backpack; • a male Black wearing a black Puma hoodie, black Adidas-style pants, black gloves and a face mask.

The suspect vehicle is described as a gray sedan – possibly a 2020 Toyota Corolla – with a license plate number of MXR5851.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact WPD Detective M. Lopez at (714) 548-3773 or mlopez@westminster-ca.gov.

New parkway approved for Beach Blvd.

By Reagan Cisar Orange County Tribune

A new parkway area with landscaping will be developed off of Beach Boulevard and Crager Lane to beautify the street, following a decision by the Stanton City Council Tuesday evening.

The council unanimously approved a landscape management agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a landscaped roadway at 11752 Beach Blvd, between Orangewood and Chapman avenues.

Caltrans requires Stanton to enter into this agreement to maintain the landscaping in case the adjacent property owner does not adequately maintain it.

In other action, the council: • Declared the month of April

n STANTON CITY COUNCIL as Donate Life month in Stanton to encourage organ donation.

• Leased two automatic license plate recognition cameras from Flock Safety for installation at Village Center Drive, where none currently exist.

The council encouraged residents to attend the Easter egg hunt Saturday 9 a.m.- 11

a.m. at Stanton Central Park, with the search beginning at 10 a.m. A food drive will take place in the park to provide free food and diapers for residents in need following the hunt.

Also.a community meeting will take place Tuesday 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at 8001 Pacific Ave. to discuss the proposed Magnolia Crossing residential development.

HBPD in April DUI crackdown Throughout the month of April, the Huntington Beach Police Department will have additional officers patrolling the city Friday-Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).

“Impaired driving is preventable,” Sergeant Mike Thomas said.

“It’s a choice. If you’ve been drinking, or have taken drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding a sober driver or alternate transportation to take you places.”

A proposed new “automotive fleet storage” lot was approved by the Garden Grove Planning Commission on Thursday night.

Simpson Chevrolet, which operates a new and used car dealership on Trask Avenue in Garden Grove, wants to develop a vacant 1.7-acre site from the north side of Chapman Avenue to the east side of Gilbert Street.

The facility, which would be for storage of cars and not used for sales or repair, would accommodate 144 parking spaces.

The site is on the former Pacific Electric right-of-way and is privately owned, but the Orange County Transit Authority retains a permanent easement across the property in the event that future public transit uses are developed.

Under the proposal, automobiles would be off-loaded at the Trask Avenue dealership, then driven individually to the fleet storage lot.

Suspect sought in Santa Ana hit and run Police are searching for the driver of a car wanted in a fatal hit-and-run accident early Saturday morning in Santa Ana. According to the SAPD, the crash occurred after 2 a.m. in the intersection of Main and 14th streets. Arriving officers found that one vehicle – a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado truck – was overturned and the driver had been trapped within and succumbed to his injuries.

The second vehicle – a 2021 Dodge Charger – was left unoccupied.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the Charger had been moving northbound on Main Street “at a high rate of speed” and struck the Colorado at 14th Street.

Continued on page 4

4 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Huntington Beach recall falls short Another attempt to recall city council members in the West Orange County area has fallen short.

On Wednesday, April 6, Marcia Nielson, candidate and voter services manager for the Orange County Registrar of Voters, formally notified Huntington Beach City Clerk Robin Estanislau that petitions to call for a recall election to remove Kim Carr, (Vice Mayor) Mike Posey and Dan Kalmick did not have enough valid signatures.

In each case, recall proponents needed valid signatures from 10 percent of registered voters in Surf City, which amounts to 13,352.

In each case, the petitions were about 1,000 short.

Now, the county registrar will bill Huntington Beach for about $144,000, based on a cost of verifying signatures at $3.40 each.

The recall campaign came in the wake of the council’s decision to appoint Rhonda

Bolton to a seat on the council to fill the seat made vacant by the resignation of Tito Ortiz. Recall backers wanted the council to select Gracey Van Der Mark, who was supported by Ortiz.

Wednesday’s announcement follows the announcement in March that a recall effort against Westminster Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo fell 234 valid signatures short of the required number. An effort to recall Councilmember Kimberly Ho also failed.

Conroy is new OVSD superintendent Ocean View School District’s Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Michael Conroy as the District’s new Superintendent. He replaces Dr. Carol Hansen, who is retiring in July after seven years at the helm of the district of over 7,000 students.

A contributing factor in Dr.

Conroy’s appointment was his own service to the district as deputy superintendent from 2015 to 2021.

Board President Gina ClaytonTarvin stated, “Trustees want Dr. Conroy to bring his own perspective to the superintendency while continuing many

DR. MICHAEL CONROY New OVSD superintendent of the initiatives he helped develop, including a unique program called the Partnership with Administration and Labor.” The partnership has received statewide acclaim for its success in cultivating positive work relationships and conditions for employees and stakeholders.

Hit and run suspect sought Continued from page 3

After the crash, the Charger’s driver and his passenger fled the scene, with the driver spotted entering a red “SUV-type” vehicle. He’s described as a male Hispanic about 30 to 35 years old, 5-feet, 6-inches tall and about 200 lbs.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Investigator Bao at (714) 2458217.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 5

Arts&Living Don’t let their wedding break your bank Be realistic about how much you can afford to spend

By Laura McMullen of NerdWallet

Sure, you want to feel joy and love upon receiving a wedding invitation. But one little postcard or email can also pack loads of pricey pressure.

Perhaps you must secure travel and lodging, buy gifts and attire, or call off work. Or maybe you have the honor – and extra expense – of being in the wedding party.

This may be your reality soon, as wedding season looms and events that were postponed or rescheduled because of COVID-19 reappear on the calendar.

Before stressing about these upcoming weddings, take comfort from Crystal L. Bailey, director of The Etiquette Institute of Washington, in D.C.: “Your loved one would not want you to spend in a way that would make you financially struggle.’’

For less struggling and more celebrating, here’s how to handle the financial load of attending weddings.

CHECK YOUR FINANCES – AND FEELINGS As you learn about upcoming weddings, ``map out your year,’’ Bailey says.

This planning is useful if you’re invited to multiple weddings, or bridal showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners.

If you’re inclined to say yes to everything, this mapping could show how much time (and money) “everything’’ will cost.

Also check your bank account balance or budget to understand what’s available to spend after accounting for needs. Ideally, this financial reality check

THEIR FANTASY, YOUR BANKRUPTCY? Don’t be guilted into spending more than you can comfortably part with (Shutterstock) helps you prioritize expenses, says Landis Bejar, a New York City-based licensed mental health counselor and founder of AisleTalk, which provides therapy to individuals getting married.

For example, maybe you will realize you can’t swing the outof-state bachelorette party but can attend the wedding.

If you still feel compelled to overspend, “take inventory of where that expectation is coming from,’’ Bejar says.

“That can usually help you navigate what’s important in your decision making.’’

For example, perhaps this reflection shows that you simply yearn to get out of the house and celebrate after so much quarantining. So you prioritize attending the wedding and feel less pressure to buy a new outfit for it.

FIND WAYS TO CUT COSTS Prioritizing your values may help you save money. So, if being present at the wedding is most important, you may be able to trim expenses in these categories: • Lodging and travel: If possible, choose a cheaper accommodation than what the couple suggested, or crash with a local connection. Split costs with other guests by sharing a vacation rental or driving together. Pay for fewer nights by skipping the night-before dinner and arriving the day of the wedding.

• Bachelor and bachelorette parties, showers and other related events: It’s OK to politely pass on these events if you give plenty of heads-up.

• Gifts: Matt J. Goren , a Chicagobased certified financial planner, suggests simply giving what

you can, which will be easier to determine after checking your finances. “If someone is going to think you’re a bad friend because you only gave them what you could afford, then they’re not that good of a friend,’’ says Goren, who’s the CFP program director at The American College of Financial Services.

CONSIDER DECLINING The most effective way to cut wedding costs? Decline the invitation. That’s fine, particularly if you’re more of an acquaintance than a close friend or family member, or if you don’t want to go.

If you must pass up the wedding of someone you’re close with, Bailey recommends calling or writing a note. Thank them for the invitation and consider Continued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Maybe you can’t afford to go to that wedding?

Continued from page 5

sending a gift.

Bejar suggests seeing if you can participate in other ways. For example, if you can’t make the destination wedding or shower, maybe you can have champagne delivered to the couple.

Remember: If you can’t afford the event, “It doesn’t mean you’re a bad friend or a bad

person,’’ Goren says.

If you wanted to go but couldn’t come up with a relatively small amount of money – say, for a local event – aim to see the situation as a ``wake-up call,’’ he says. After all, how would you handle an urgent expense, like an emergency room visit?

Use this experience as motivation to build financial

security, Goren says, so you can afford emergencies and weddings alike. Track your money so you know where it goes, and explore ways to spend less and make more.

TALK WITH THE ENGAGED COUPLE Say you’re close with the betrothed and can’t afford the wedding or a related obligation, like being in the bridal party.

“The worst thing you can do is have the money fears override the friendship,’’ Goren says.

So discuss your money concern with the bride or groom – soon, ideally months before the event.

“Good friends will understand if

you’re honest and transparent,’’ Bejar says. Avoid complaining or making the conversation about you. Instead, ask what’s most important to your loved one, then brainstorm and possibly compromise.

For example, maybe your friend most values your presence at the wedding and is OK with you passing on bridesmaid duty (and the hair, makeup and outfit expenses that may come with it).

Whether you find solutions or not, Bejar suggests acknowledging the importance of this milestone. ``Brides and grooms want to feel special,’’ she says.

Seek suspect in stabbing attacks in Santa Ana One person has died and another hospitalized in two stabbing incidents Friday night in Santa Ana. According to the SAPD, at 11:40 p.m. a report of a stabbing victim at 1600 Palm St., was received. Responding officers found a male juvenile down in the driveway suffering from an “apparent stab wound” in the upper torso.

He was treated by Orange County Fire Authority paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. However, at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, he was pronounced dead.

Officers at that location were

flagged down by citizens reporting a second stabbing victim at 300 N. Wright St. There they found another male juvenile who had sustained several stab wounds to the upper torso. He was treated and hospitalized and is listed in stable condition.

The circumstances and motives in the stabbings are being investigated. The name of the deceased youth is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Anyone with information relevant to these stabbings is asked to call SAPD Homicide Detectives at (714) 245-8390.

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ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 7

Prep Sports: Diamond races heat up Continued from page 8

league is weak by comparison.

Tustin and Crean Lutheran are a combined 0-19.

Garden Grove League baseball • This one is a real contest with four teams still having a chance for the title. Los Amigos (173, 8-3) leads by a game over Santiago (9-10, 7-4) and Loara (8-7, 7-4). Even Bolsa Grande (10-11, 6-5) is still in the fight.

Garden Grove League softball • Santiago (8-7, 6-0) and Rancho

Alamitos (12-6, 5-1) are making this a two-team contest. The title may be decided on Monday, April 25 as the Cavaliers host Rancho. La Quinta (11-4, 3-3) and Loara (3-7, 3-3) are battling for third.

Golden West League baseball • This one also shapes up to be a two-team situation, with Ocean View (14-7, 6-0) battling with Segerstrom (12-10, 6-0) locked in a tie for the lead. Assuming both can keep their winning ways, the matter should be settled on Tuesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 28 when they meet in the final games of the regular season.

Golden West League softball • This one looks like a freefor-all campaign, with three teams at the top, Segerstrom (15-1-1, 4-0) leads the pack, a half-game ahead of Katella (125, 4-1). Garden Grove (14-7, 4-2) is within striking distance.

However, when the Jaguars played their two pursuers, they won by margins of 9-1 and 4-0.

Surf League baseball • Huntington Beach (14-6, 7-0), which advanced last week to the semifinals of the National High School Invitational tournament, is the class of this small but elite conference. The Oilers have a big lead over Los Alamitos (136-2, 4-3) and should coast to the title. Edison (8-14, 1-6) is fourth.

Surf League softball • As with their hardball siblings, the Oilers (14-6, 6-0) are leading here, too. But a very good Los Alamitos team (19-6, 4-2) gave HBHS a tough game on Monday, losing 2-1. The Griffins will get one more crack at the leaders on Wednesday, April 20 at the HBHS home diamond.

We will update the status of races in the Orange, Orange Coast and San Joaquin leagues next week.

CIF-SS polls recognize 14 West OC teams

A total of 14 high school athletic teams from the West Orange County area were noted in polls released Monday by the CIF-SS. They are: Baseball • Division 1: Huntington Beach is sixth • Division 7: Los Amigos is first Softball • Division 1: Pacifica is third, Huntington Beach is eighth • Division 8: Garden Grove is fifth Boys’ volleyball • Divisions 1 and 2: Huntington Beach is 10th • Division 3: Edison is fifth • Division 4: Bolsa Grande is seventh • Division 6: Magnolia is unranked but received some votes Boys’ tennis • Division 3: Edison is fifth • Division 4: La Quinta is sixth • Division 5: Westminster is seventh, and Western is unranked but received some votes.

Girls’ lacrosse • Divisions 1 and 2: Edison is eighth.

Note: There will be no CIF-SS polls next week, as their office will be closed for their own “spring break.”

But in other polls …

The CIF-SS isn’t the only source of baseball polls and rankings.

For instance, Los Angeles Times ranked Pacifica – which was snubbed in the CIF-SS polls – 17th best in the area.

The Orange County Register puts Huntington Beach in second among OC teams.

Ocean View is 14th and Pacifica 15th.

As they say, difference of opinions is what makes for horse races.

“Prep Sport Spotlight” is weekly during the high school year.

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TheSportsPage

Frankly, the Lakers’ Fall Not All His Fault Aside from “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” the most appropriate song that should be attached to professional sports is the 1986 Janet Jackson hit, ‘What Have You Done for Me Lately?”

As has been widely speculated, Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach Frank Vogel was shown the door Monday after the understandably disastrous 2021-22 season that concluded on Sunday.

It came one day after the Lakers finished an all-too-rare two-game winning streak with a 146-141 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets. The team finished 33-49 (.402 winning percentage) and in fourth place in the NBA Pacific Division.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank both on and off the court,” said Rob Pelinka, the Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager.

“Frank is a great coach and a good man. We will forever be grateful to him for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20

FRANK VOGEL FIRED AFTER ROUGH SEASON NBA title in 2020 didn’t earn his enough loyalty from team

SportsWeek NBA championship. This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point. All of us here wish Frank and his wonderful family all the best

for the future.”

Sure.

Vogel is almost certainly not to blame for a disappointing season in which his two top stars – LeBron James and Anthony Davis – missed a total of 68 games. What’s a little less easy to explain is how millionaire pro athletes

performed decently at home (21-20) but miserably (12-29) on the road.

Under the NBA’s hugely forgiving post-season criteria, even the injury-ravaged teams ought to be able to win 15 or 16 games away from their cozy arenas.

It’s the nature of pro sports (including high-profile college sports) that a coach is to be credited or blamed for the successes and failures of the people who are actually doing the work on the court or field.

Win and you are a genius; lose and you are an idiot. And you’re only one bad season away from being handed your hat.

In other words, “What have you done for me lately?

Final out: “Even when we were healthy, I don’t think we were able to reach our full potential for whatever reason” – Anthony Davis on the Lakers season.

“Sports Week” is written by Pete Zarustica.

High school baseball, softball races heat up The pennant races for area high school baseball and softball leagues are approaching the home stretch.

League schedules are a bit scrambled by spring vacation and tournament action, but here’s a look at how those races stand going into the final weeks for local teams.

Empire League baseball • A strong Pacifica team (147 overall and 2-2 in league) is in third place in the Empire League, trailing Cypress (4-0) and Crean Lutheran (3-1). The Mariners can rise sharply in the

Prep Sport Spotlight standings if they are successful against Cypress on Wednesday, April 20 and Friday, April 22.

Empire League softball • This is likely to turn into a runaway for Pacifica (4-0, 19-3). The Mariners have an eight-game winning streak and although they lead Kennedy (31) by one game, the rest of the Continued on page 7

WHO WILL END UP ON TOP? League championships at stake (Shuttestock)