The Orange County Tribune Feb. 1, 2023

How To Pick A Manager For A City?

A special meeting of the Garden Grove City Council has been called by Mayor Steve Jones for Thursday to address the departure of City Manager Scott Stiles to take a similar job in Palm Springs. The meeting will be held in closed session at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.

Stiles, who took the job as Garden Grove’s top appointed official seven and one-half years ago – see related story this page – after leaving the assis-

tant city manager post in Cincinnati, informed the council on Friday, Jan. 27 that he would be leaving at the end of February and taking his new post on March 6.

In the past, when vacancies have occurred in the city manager’s chair, the council has either hired an interim city manager from outside the city or promoted from inside City Hall.

When the last vacancy occurred in 2014 with the retirement – under pressure – of Matt Fertal – an interim city manager was appointed and a nationwide search was conducted, concluding with the hiring of Stiles.

Ta proposes a bill to deter retail theft gangs

In an effort to stem the rash of retail theft ring robberies, Assemblyman Tri Ta (R-Westminster) has introduced a bill that would make it an automatic felony for non-residents to steal from retailers in California.

“California will no longer be a haven for shoplifting,” said Ta. “With this

bill we are sending a clear message to these career criminals that they are not welcomed in this state and we will hold them accountable.”

Target, for example, reported that it lost $400 million more in gross profits to theft in California than in the previous year.

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

So, why did you want to leave your job as city manager in Garden Grove to go and do the same thing in Palm Springs?

“You know,” said Scott Stiles over an English muffin at Kaye’s Kitchen on historic Main Street in downtown Garden Grove, “that’s the thing that everyone asks me.”

The answer to his recent announcement of a decision to move from the land of Disney, strawberries and beaches to a sprawling desert city lies in the

n Navigation Center for the homeless

n Expansion of the police department

n SteelCraft urban outdoor eatery

n “Rusty skeleton” becomes senior housing

n Leadership during coronavirus crisis.

patterns of a man who has cast aside his original ambition as a sports writer to pursue civic leadership from the Dakotas to Ohio

to California.

“Maybe I’m ready for one more adventure. I’ve always had a bit of wanderlust,” he said.

Stiles, who has served seven and a half years in City Hall, said he didn’t seek out the job with Palm Springs.

At 64, and just having received a three-year extension on his seven-year contract with the Big Strawberry and a popular figure in a financially and politically stable city, he could have stayed where he was into retirement.

SCOTT STILES, Garden Grove City Manager, stands in front of Kaye’s Kitchen on Main Street. Stiles, who will become city manager of Palm Springs on March 6, has been a supporter of a revitalized downtown area during his seven-and-a-half year tenure at City Hall (Orange County Tribune photo by Jim Tortolano)

Stiles’ next adventure

Continued from page 1

He didn’t seek to leave, but was contacted by a recruiter. “I really wasn’t looking to leave. I was very happy here. But I asked myself, is there a third chapter in my life?” he said.

The third act will be in an affluent community that expands rapidly during the winter, that has an international airport and contains – within its limits –tribal lands with their own set of issues.

But, still, it’s not all that different. “Homelessness is a problem there, just like every other California city. Providing affordable housing is another issue.”

Another area where Palm Springs and Garden Grove have commonality is in the hospitality business. Both cities have large hotel districts and depend on tourism.

He’s savoring the challenge, but also reflecting on how much he feels about his tenure on Acacia Parkway and the city he will leave behind. “I’m feeling good about this. I’m very proud of our central management team.”

As for advice he might have for whoever takes over his office on the third floor, he said, “Just get really involved in the community. And if you’re involved in the community, Garden Grove will embrace you and they will really appreciate you.

‘I’ve lived in this city, and it doesn’t mean a city manager has to live in the city, but even if you don’t just be really involved in the community.”

As of March 6, he’ll be getting really involved in a different

New city mgr.

Continued from page 1

Allan L. Roeder, a former Costa Mesa City Manager, served as interim manager until Stiles took office in 2015.

community. And the one he’s leaving is already wondering where it could find another a lot like him.

JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher

Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager

The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays and Saturdays with some exceptions. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844.

E-mail : orangecountytribune@gmail.com.

Website: www.orangecountytribune.com.

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.

A member of The Associated Press, and Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

When weighing differing accounts about an issue or an event, the truth is probably somewhere in between.

Ask residents to participate in GG survey

Garden Grove residents are encouraged to take the City of Garden Grove’s community survey to provide input on key city services, such as public safety, homelessness, and affordable housing.

The online survey is available now until Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at https://surveys.zencity.io/garden-grove/ Ynb18H/?s=sd or by clickable digital ads on social media feeds.

The survey will enable the city to better understand local priorities and enhance responsiveness to community needs. Residents will be asked to rate their experiences on different aspects of life in Garden Grove and provide feedback.

The survey, available in multiple languages, is distributed by Zencity, a community platform used by local governments to get meaningful and actionable insights from residents.

For more information, visit www.ggcity.org.

Public’s help requested in hit/run case

Westminster police are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver in a hit-and-run collision Friday morning.

According to the WPD, the acc ident was reported at around 8:37 a.m. in the area of Milan Street and Westminster Boulevard.

It involved an automobile that collided with an electric scooter ridden by a 12-year-old youth.

A small gray sport utility vehicle was seen leaving the scene. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Sgt. Anil Adam at (714) 548-3770.

A memorial highway sign for Ofc. Vella

An unveiling ceremony for a memorial highway sign honoring Officer Nicolas Vella of the Huntington Beach Police Department is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 to 11 a.m. Vella died on duty in a helicopter crash on Feb. 19, 2022. The aircraft crashed into the water between Lido Isle and the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach while on a mission to assist Newport Beach police.

PAINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Garden Grove observed the 100th day of school by having some fun with the number 100, including trying to imagine what it looks like to be 100 years old (GGUSD photo).

“100 Days Smarter”

The unveiling will take place at Huntington City Beach, 21501 Pacific Coast Highway, at the south Beach Boulevard entrance. The event is held in partnership with State Sen. Janet Nguyen, the HBPD, the HBPD Police Officers Association and others.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

Our Towns

Students at Thomas Paine Elementary School in Garden Grove on Monday celebrated the 100th day of instruction. Students and faculty, working from the concept of “100 days smarter,” used various math concepts and word prompts using the number 100. Some decorated shirts and others dressed to see what they might look like at the age of 100.

Paine is part of the Garden Grove Unified School District.

Nominate Woman of Distinction

The deadline for nominating a candidate for the 2023 Stanton Women of Distinction Awards is Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m., via e-mail, mail or in person.

Want to nominate a woman who’s made a contribution to the Stanton community? Go to StantonCA.gov/WOD and complete the form. For more information, call (714) 890-4270.

Local students honored by colleges

The following students from the communities of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Stanton and Westminster have beenrecognized for academic achievement.

• Natalia Durazzo of Huntington Beach has been named to the fall 2022 provost’s list at Hofstra University of Hemsptead,

Valentine’s luncheon is set for Feb. 13th

The Westminster Senior Center is scheduling a Valentine’s Day luncheon on Feb. 13 at the Westminster Community Services building.

Called “the Sweetest Lunch in Town,” it will include a menu of baked ziti, mixed salad, garlic bread and dessert. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Professor D.

For more information or to purchase a ticket, call (714) 8952878.

OFC. NICHOLAS VELLA

NewsUpdate

ADVERTISEMENT FOR DESIGN ASSIST SUBCONTRACTOR PREQUALIFICATION

Subject to conditions prescribed by the County of Orange, responses to prequalification documents are sought for Design Assist contracts for the following scopes: Fire Protection, Plumbing, HVAC/Controls, Electrical/Low Voltage/Fire Alarm for the following project:

PROJECT: Orange County Health Care Campus at El Toro, Irvine CA:

F-16 JET FIGHTER (Wikipedia)

Will Ukraine get fighter jets?

Having won promises from Western allies to send main battle tanks to their aid, the Ukrainian government is now pressing for fighter jets.

According to the Associated Press, the Kyiv government on Tuesday won support from Poland and the Baltic nations – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – for sending the jets. However, major nations such as the U.S. and Great Britain have so far balked at the idea over concerns of provoking Russia.

France, however, is not as adamant, stipulating that the sending of jets didn’t weaken French defenses or ever “touch Russian soil.”

McCarthy, Biden spar over budget

How should the federal government’s budget deficit be reduced? Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden have already begun verbal fencing on the issue.

According to The New York Times, Republicans now hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives but have not yet discussed which cuts they’d like to make in the budget.

President Joe Biden and House Democrats have asked for specifics on what Republicans would want in exchange for agreeing to raise the debt limit, which has now been exceeded by $31.4 trillion.

Also in the news … A man who walked into a Target department store in Omaha, Nebraska and began firing a rifle was shot and killed by police. No employees or customers were injured.

Sports: Lakers, Clippers won; Kings fell in OT

The Los Angeles Lakers (2428) beat the New York Knicks 129-123 in overtime Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Clippers (29-25) bested the Chicago Bulls 108-103.

In ice hockey, the Los Angeles Kings (28-17-7) lost 5-4 to the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime but remain tied for first in the NHL Pacific Division with the Seattle Kraken.

Weather: High 60s, sun and clouds

Moving toward the weekend, the West Orange County area can expect daily highs in the upper 60s and a transition from sun to clouds and back again. According to forecasts, Wednesday should see a daytime high of 67 and an overnight low of 42. Skies should be clear and sunny.

Thursday is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 67 and a low of 49. On Friday, look for clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. The high should be 68 with a low of 46.

General project scope includes the following: This project is a public works project. The project is being developed as the new center for the operation of the Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS) and Orange County Public Health Laboratory (OCPHL). The site will also house the Orange County Health Care Agency Administration (OCHCA). The objective is to meet the long-term operational best practice requirements of OCEMS, OCPHL and OCHCA and the integration of administration and operational functions into a single campus. This project does not fall under California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). The project site is located in the City of Irvine within the vicinity of Orange County Great Park and consists of two parcels: Parcel 3 (4.38 +/- Acres) and Parcel 4 (5.23 +/- Acres). Within Parcel 4, there is an existing warehouse – Building 360, approximately 120,000 SF which is Not in Contract (NIC). The new building(s) will consist of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) at approximately 14,900 SF, Multipurpose AOC (Agency Operation Center) at approximately 7,500 SF, PHL (Public Health Laboratory) at approximately 23,400 SF, HCA (Health Care Agency) Administration at approximately 12,500 SF and shared spaces of approximately 9,300 SF.

The EMS shall accommodate the workplace for EMS staff along with Pharmacy Lab and the support spaces for the AOC. The Multipurpose AOC serves as the connection area between EMS & PHL and serves as the main entry point for visitors. The build out of the PHL consists of laboratory spaces and support spaces of the lab and will include a Bio-Safety Level 3 lab facility. Construction is scheduled to commence July 2023 thru January 2025.

PRE-QUALIFICATION OF PROSPECTIVE SUBCONTRACTORS: The County of Orange has determined that subcontractors who submit bids to PCL Construction on this Project must be pre-qualified within PCL’s system. Only those subcontractors who pre-qualify will be allowed to bid on the project.

LICENSE: C16, C36, C42, C43, C20, C7, C10 See Description of Classifications (www.cslb.ca.gov)

Interested firms may obtain Prequalification Documents beginning on January 23, 2023 by contacting: Chantel Marcq – cmarcq@pcl.com

Reference “Orange County Health Care Campus at El Toro Prequalification” in your email:

Submittal of the required Prequalification Forms will be received at the same location on or before February 03, 2023, by 2:00 p.m. Please submit all necessary forms and information in sufficient time in advance of this date.

No Prequalification Submittals will be received after 2:00 p.m., February 03, 2023.

Confidentiality of the information provided will be respected to the extent permitted by law.

QUESTIONS: Only written inquiries will be permitted. Questions must be submitted in writing by January 27, 2023 and will be acceptable by email:

Same Contact as above

All information requested must be completed and returned in order to be considered “responsive” to the requirements of prequalification.

us a request to:

J-Lo Looks Good in “Wedding”

It’s a little like “Diehard” vs. the Pirates

By Jocelyn Noveck AP National Writer

Spoiler alert: J.Lo looks fantastic in a wedding dress.

You surely knew that, given not only the plethora of wedding-themed movies Jennifer Lopez has made over the years, from “The Wedding Planner” to “Monster-in-Law” to the recent “Marry Me,” but also her own offscreen life, of course.

And now comes “Shotgun Wedding,” where the ageless pop star and rom-com queen dons a pouffy white concoction that gradually sheds layers of tulle

Movie Review

to become increasingly sexy as Lopez fights off not only cringey wedding guests but machinegun toting pirates. She switches at one point to combat boots – plucked from a dead guy! –over wedding heels, and here’s another spoiler alert: if anyone can make combat boots work with pouffy tulle while running in slow motion, it’s Lopez.

But all the charm and style in the world, and J.Lo has more than anyone, can’t make up for the bizarre tonal imbalance of “Shotgun Wedding,” a movie too violent to be funny and too funny (in the odd, weird sense) to be fun. The movie, directed by Jason Moore, also commits the unlikely crime of underusing that other bulletproof Jennifer of the moment, Jennifer

Coolidge, who often seems to be searching palpably for decent lines. Come on, people! You had BOTH Jennifers! This should have been a slam dunk.

Kudos, though, to whoever picked the stunning resort for this particular destination wedding (the shoot took place in the Dominican Republic, standing in for the Philippines). It’s here that we first meet Darcy, our bride, at the rehearsal dinner, already looking so much better than everyone else, in resort wear and turquoise chunky jewelry – but we digress.

Darcy is navigating a guest list filled with proverbial hand grenades, even before the real grenades start flying. There’s her icy mother (Sonia Braga, also sadly underused), who is divorced from her father (Cheech Marin) and appalled at the oddly ditzy new girlfriend he’s

Fair: HHH

brought to the wedding (D’Arcy Carden). Mom tells Darcy she should have accepted her dad’s millions (or billions?) to make the wedding perfect, but Darcy replies that the couple wanted to do it their way. Besides, they’re grownups.

The groom, you ask? We’re getting to that. Initially the part was to be played by Ryan Reynolds, a tantalizing comedic possibility. Then it was to be Armie Hammer, who stepped aside for obvious reasons, and now we have Josh Duhamel, perfectly handsome and agreeable but . the chemistry rests with Lopez, and not between them.

In a clever twist, Tom is the “groomzilla,” obsessed with wedding details, and spray-

JENNIFER LOPEZ and Josh Duhamel star in the action/rom-com film “Shotgun Wedding” (Amazon Studios)

Movie review: “Shotgun Wedding”

Continued from page 5

painting the pineapples all night long. As for his mother, well, she’s the delightfully ditzy Carol (Coolidge), obsessed with “South Pacific” and eager to have a good time. (Coolidge, hot off “White Lotus,” knows her way around a resort).

It must be said that Coolidge – who at this point in her career would be anyone’s top choice to play any mother – more than pulls her weight. But there’s only so much she can do with dialogue that seems slapped together with minimum effort.

True, Coolidge can make almost anything sound funny, but at times it feels like her script instructions said nothing more than “Carol says something wacky.”

Anyway, things get wacky overall pretty fast, starting with the arrival of a surprise guest by

helicopter -– it’s Sean, Darcy’s ex-fiance, a swaggering, shirtunbuttoned, walking Y chromosome played by Lenny Kravitz. Tom is immediately perplexed by Sean’s presence.

But there’s no time to fret. The next day, with everyone dressed for the wedding, more unexpected guests arrive – and they definitely weren’t on the list. They’re pirates, and they’re after Darcy’s dad’s money.

The pirates take everyone hostage, confining them to, well, OK, an infinity pool, but still confining them! In a stroke of rom-com luck, the bride and groom are elsewhere, having a little talk about their relationship. Soon, though, the relationship is beside the point – they have to save themselves and everyone else, too. And that’s when the killing starts. Not to give away too much, but there’s lots of automatic gun-

fire and grenade-throwing and other mayhem that feels out of place anyway you slice it – oh yes, knives too! – and this romcom doesn’t end up feeling very romantic OR comedic.

Not to detract from Lopez’s appeal, which is timeless. She’s the one actor in the whole enterprise whose every line reading seems to ring true, no matter how silly on paper – as when she says she can’t breathe, and Tom assumes it’s, you know, the machine guns, but she says no, “It’s the shapewear.” J.Lo makes it work. (She’s also a producer on the film.)

There is one charming scene, to be fair, where we’re all allowed to relax and have fun.

People are singing and dancing and doing karaoke, and it feels like a blast. Finally these are people we’d want to get to know. Unfortunately, it’s all during the closing credits.

Stick around for them, though. It’ll feel like a cool dip in an infinity pool.

“Shotgun Wedding,” an Amazon Studios release, has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America “for language and some violence/ bloody images.” Running time: 100 minutes.

New Bolts offensive coordinator could restore balance

Continued

scrimmage yards per play along with the third-worst rushing attack in the league.

Los Angeles also had the NFL’s second-biggest discrepancy between passing and running plays (65% pass to 35% run).

That is not expected to be the case under Moore. Dallas was

53% pass to 47% run last season, which was tied for the ninth-highest percentage of run plays.

“In terms of the passing game, we’ve been able to do that at a high level for the last two years. But, to be more explosive, you have to be able to run the football more consistently to put

more pressure on people,” Staley said during his end-of-season news conference on Jan. 18.

In Moore’s four seasons as offensive coordinator, the Cowboys were second in the league in total offense (391.0 yards per game) and scoring (27.7 points per game).

The Chargers announced on Sunday that Herbert had labrum surgery on his left non-throwing shoulder, but should be ready

for the start of offseason drills. The Bolts also interviewed Rams passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, Rams senior offensive assistant Greg Olson, Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown, Titans tight ends coach Luke Steckel and Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson for the opening.

13 teams noted in CIF polls

With league play heading into its final games, here are CIF-SS polls for winter sports. Thirteen local teams were nominated. Playoffs for most sports will begin next week.

Boys’ basketball

• Division 2AA: Edison is 12th

• Division 3AA: Orangewood Academy is second

• Division 5AA: Orange is 14th and Loara is 15th.

Girls’ basketball

• Division 5AA: Pacifica is sixth, Ocean View is ninth and Marina 10th.

Boys’ soccer

• Division 3: Los Amigos received some votes.

• Division 4: Santiago is eighth.

Girls’ soccer

• Divisions 1 and 2: Huntington Beach is fourth, Pacifica has received some votes.

• Division 3: Marina received some votes.

• Division 7: Magnolia is seventh.

Girls’ water polo

• No locals named.

Lakers, Clippers win close games, but Kings fall in OT

Both local NBA teams won close road games on Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers (now 24-28) defeated the New York Nets 129-123 in overtime. LeBron James, back in the lineup after missing the previous game with a sore foot, scored 28 points. Anthony Davis also returned and scored 27.

In Chicago, the Los Angeles Clippers (29-25) beat the Bulls 108-103. Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 36 points. With the wins, the Clippers remain in second place in the National Basketball Association Pacifc Division and the Lakers in fifth (and last place) in division.

Hockey action saw the Los Angeles Kings (28-18-7) lose 5-4 in overtime to the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. Despite the defeat, the Kings remain tied for first place in the NHL Pacific Division with the Seattle Kraken.

Chargers Get New Offensive Coordinator

From the Cowboys to Bolts

By Joe Reedy AP Sports Writer

Kellen Moore is going from calling plays for Dak Prescott to Justin Herbert.

The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t waste any time in reaching an agreement with Moore to be their next offensive coordinator. Monday’s announcement came less than 24 hours after the Dallas Cowboys said Moore would not return.

Moore had spent the past eight seasons with the Cowboys, including the past four as offensive coordinator. He signed with Dallas in 2015 as a player and then joined the coaching staff in 2018, going from Prescott’s backup to his position coach.

Moore replaces Joe Lombardi, who was the Bolts’ coordinator for two seasons under head coach Brandon Staley.

Moore will be the third

offensive coordinator since Justin Herbert was the sixth overall pick by the Chargers in 2020.

Shane Steichen directed the Bolts offense as well as being QBs coach under Anthony Lynn in 2020 before Lynn was fired at the end of the season.

Herbert was second in the league in completions (477) and passing yards (4,739) this season, but the Chargers were inconsistent on offense.

Los Angeles reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018, but lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC wild-card round after the third-largest blown lead in postseason history.

Los Angeles was up 27-0 late in the second quarter before the Jaguars rallied.

Criticism about Lombardi’s play-calling increased throughout the season. The Chargers were ranked ninth in total offense, but 20th in

Continued on page 7

GETTING A KICK OUT OF A TITLE

Cav boys are in driver’s seat

With a 69-53 win over Los Amigos on Tuesday night, the Santiago High boys’ basketball team clinched at least a tie for the Garden Grove League title.

The Cavaliers are now

7-2 in league and 17-10 overall. One game back in second place is La Quinta, 6-3 in GGL play and 13-14 overall.

The Aztecs missed a chance to keep pace with a 58-41 loss to Bolsa

Prep Hoops Scores

Tuesday, Jan. 31 (boys)

Bolsa Grande 58, La Quinta 41

Loara 62, Rancho Alamitos 33 Western 52, Anaheim 45 Santiago 69, Los Amigos 53

Godinez 58, Garden Grove 40

Ocean View 42, Westminster 35

Segerstrom 48, Katella 47

Fountain Valley 59, Marina 33

Los Alamitos 69, Edison 40 Huntington Beach 65, Corona del Mar 53

Tuesday Jan. 31 (girls)

Cypress 45, Pacifica 35

Godinez 41, Garden Grove 12

Segerstrom 49, Katella 36 Magnolia 66, Santa Ana Valley 25

Monday, Jan. 30, (boys)

Crean Lutheran 72, Pacifica 46

Orangewood 73, Capistrano Valley Christian 50

Monday, Jan. 30 (girls)

Santa Ana 34, Orange 20

Edison 56, Huntington Beach 32

Marina 60, Laguna Beach 53

Crean Lutheran 63, Pacifica 37

Orangewood 57, Capistrano Valley Christian 17

SOME FEEL the Chargers are too pass-happy.

Grande.

To force a tie, La Quinta will have to beat Los Amigos on Thursday and hope that Rancho Alamitos can knock off Santago. Earlier in the season the Cavaliers defeated the Vaqueros by 72-38.

In the Orange League boys’ race, Western nailed down an undisputed crown with a 52-45 win over city rival Anaheim. The Pioneers are 9-0 in league play and 1313 overall.

Western will seek a perfect league campaign when it hosts Savanna on Thursday.

On the girls’ side, Godinez Fundamental locked up at least a tie for the Golden West League crown with a 41-12 win over Garden Grove.

The Grizzlies are 8-1 in league and 18-9 overall. They’ve got a one-game lead over second place Segerstrom (7-2, 18-8) and will face the Jaguars on Thursday.

THE PACIFICA HIGH SCHOOL girls’ soccer team has won the Empire League title with a 3-0 win over Cypress on Monday. It’s the Mariners fifth EL championship in six years. (GGUSD photo).