Council Meeting Tuesday? Maybe Not...

File under, "Just when you thought it couldn't get any stranger"....

ON AGAIN...
Earlier this week the City of Costa Mesa announced the agenda for a regularly-scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.  You can read this agenda HERE.  When I looked it over I thought it was quite unusual because there is only Consent Calendar items - no Public Hearings or Old or New Business items.

The Consent Calendar has a Warrant that includes about $2.5 million in checks cut on our behalf, including more than $200,000 in legal costs again.  You know... normal stuff.

WHY BOTHER?
And the other items looked to not be time-sensitive, so I found myself thinking, "Why bother?"

OFF AGAIN...
Then, today, we received a notice unlike any other I've seen before.  This one, HERE, is a "Courtesy Notice", telling us that there MIGHT not be a council meeting on Tuesday after all.  So, good old reporter that I am, I called City Clerk Brenda Green to get the straight scoop.

THE BEST SHE CAN DO FOR US
It seems that she does not have the authority to cancel a meeting... only the Council does - as they did for the August 16th meeting.  It seems that there likely will not be a quorum on Tuesday, so the best she can do is to give us all a little "courtesy notice" - a head's-up - to let us know about that probability.

I'M STAYING HOME
So, I will NOT be dragging my spavined old body to City Council Chambers next week.  I'll sneak a peek at CMTV around 5:45 p.m. to see what happened.  If they DO have a meeting after all I'll report on it.  If not, I won't...

THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS
Have a GREAT weekend.  Do something fun - like going to the Orange County Fair.  And hold a kind thought in your heart for the victims of that lunatic in Nice, France and hold your breath for whatever is happening in Turkey.  Good Grief!

It's Almost Party Time!

FAIRGROUNDS OPEN HOUSE
The staff of the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Fairgrounds), headed by new CEO Kathy Kramer, held an Open House in the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds Tuesday night to tell the community about their plans for the upcoming 125th Orange County Fair this summer - operating for a month beginning July 17, 2015 - and to introduce the theme of this year's fair - One Big Party!

SORRY...
I apologize for the poor quality of the images this time.  I took my backup camera with a slow lens.  That, coupled with the light glaring across the screen, have made for some shoddy images.

A GOOD CROWD
The crowd of more than five dozen people paid close attention as Kramer spoke of their plans and the relationship the Fairgrounds has with the Costa Mesa Police Department, since noise, rowdiness and neighborhood parking issues are major concerns of nearby residents.  I noticed many community activists in the crowd, but most were residents of College Park and Mesa del Mar - the two residential areas closest to the Fairgrounds.  With the exception of the members of the CMPD present, I saw no elected or appointed city official, nor did I see any member of the city staff.

CMPD INTERACTION

Captain Mark Manley spoke from the CMPD standpoint and introduced Lieutenant Vic Bakkila and Sergeant Bryan Wadkins, who will be the command staff in charge the CMPD interface with the Fair staff.

ENTERTAINMENT

Dan Gaines, who heads up the Entertainment element of the Fair, spoke briefly about that subject.  We learned that they usually have about 80% of returning acts, but this year in the Hanger there will be 40% new acts.

EVENTS

Joan Hamel spoke about the events planned, as listed on this image.  As you can see, they include a new ice skating attraction, Fairenheit 32 and the ever popular Cattle Drive on August 8th.

SECURITY
Nick Buffa, who manages Safety and Security, ( I apologize for having no good photo of Nick, son of former Costa Mesa Mayor Peter Buffa) then spoke about the new Neighborhood Ambassador Program, which is designed to have eyes and ears in the two main communities around the Fairgrounds to help head off problems.  The folks will patrol in 2-person teams in GEM electric cars and be dressed in bright Orange uniform shirts.  They will have dedicated VOIP telephones with which they can report problems as they roam through the neighborhoods.  They will NOT be sworn officers - all police-related matters will be directed to the CMPD.

SOUND CONTROL
Sound guru Gary Hardesty spoke briefly about the efforts that will be made to contain and control the sound from the musical acts this year.  He told us that there will be two self-contained sound monitoring units placed in the community - one in College Park and one in Mesa del Mar - to provide valuable real-time information to help with this year's Fair and into the future.

COMMUNICATIONS
Robin Wachner told us of the communication tools that will be used, as listed on this image.  She also gave us a link, HERE, which will take you to the page shown below for more information.

BEHAVIOR
Then Kramer took questions from the audience and had her team available to answer them.  The concerns expressed covered the gamut - drunkenness, rowdiness, trash and unwelcome parking in the neighborhoods.  To those kinds of questions Manley and Wadkins advised us that the CMPD will be properly staffed to handle those issues.  Resident Jeff Wilcox advised folks concerned about parking to go to the City and request resident-only parking stickers.

AND THE NOISE...
Noise - from the musical groups and the car, motorcycles and truck events that happen during the fair - were concerns of many residents.  I smiled as Hardesty tried to console them with vague assurances that they will try to control the musical groups.  The automotive noise will be addressed.  For example, if the contract requires mufflers on vehicles and they show up without them, the event will be cancelled.

VANGUARD CONCERNS
Residents along Vanguard expressed concern about parking and rowdy folks, indicating they feel neglected because they are a little farther away from the Fairgrounds.  They were encouraged to immediately call the police if there are problems.

CMPD ON THE JOB
Wadkins assured the neighbors that the CMPD would be there to manage the traffic during the Fair, and to route it to alternate parking sites when the Fairgrounds parking filled up.

OTHER STUFF
Other issues, like being able to buy tickets with a smart phone and not have to print it out, entering the Fair from Gate 5, were discussed.  Kramer, who has only been on the job about 4 months, has a nice, easy style and did her best to make the members of the community feel welcome and appreciated.

IT SHOULD BE ANOTHER GREAT FAIR
This meeting was video taped and will be made available somewhere on the OC Fair web site in the near future.  It sounds like we have yet another terrific Fair ahead of us.  For the past decade more than 1,000,000 people attended the Fair - the ninth largest county fair in the country.  Last year over 1.3 million folks attended.  To learn more about the Orange County Fair and Event Center and the Fair click HERE.

General Plan Workshop Fun, And More!

THE GENERAL PLAN AND FUN, TOO!
The City of Costa Mesa announced that the next in the series of General Plan workshops - this one a "Visioning Workshop" - will be held next Tuesday, July 23rd on the City Hall lawn.

A FAMILY OPPORTUNITY
This one is special because it's designed to encourage families to participate and provide their input into the revision of the City's General Plan that is underway now.  Costa Mesa residents who attend this particular workshop, which runs from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. will receive four free tickets to a family movie that will be screened immediately after the meeting.

KIDS PLAY WHILE PARENTS PROVIDE INPUT
While a parent or adult attends the General Plan Update Workshop, children will be entertained making cardboard-box cars on the nearby lawn.

SPONGEBOB....
During the screening of "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie", which will be projected on a giant inflatable screen, free corn dogs from Sonic, fresh popcorn and other snacks will be available.

YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT
The workshop is a critical part of the General Plan Update process.  This particular event is designed to provide residents with children to carve out some time to provide their input on what they think the city should look like into the future.  This update opportunity only comes around about once every decade, so it's very important that concerned residents share their vision for our city at this time.

PLEASE HELP WITH HEADCOUNT
Registration is not required for this workshop, but please call in advance for movie/food tickets.   Contact Martha Rosales by July 22nd at 714-754-5270 or email her at martha.rosales@costamesaca.gov.   See the flyer below for more information.  Click on the image to enlarge it.

*****

DISCOUNT COUPONS FOR ORANGE COUNTY FAIR ADMISSION
And since you're here, The City has coupons for reduced admission to the Orange County Fair available in the City Clerk's office at City Hall.  Each coupon is good for $2.00 off for up to four (4) admissions and may not be combined with any other offers.

HAVE FUN
The Orange County Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday from now until August 11, 2013.  These coupons can help buy a deep-fried, bacon-wrapped pickle or other culinary delights at the Fair.

It's OC Fair Time Again!

A MONTH OF FUN!
Just in case you've been dozing for the past few weeks and missed the media blitz about the opening of the Orange County Fair today, I thought I'd give you some information about that month-long event to chew on.  You can read more details in Jeremiah Dobruck's piece from the Daily Pilot, HERE.

OPENS TODAY
The Fair opens today at noon with free admission and parking for the first hour.  That's a BIG deal all by itself.  You can read the details about this year's Fair HERE.  It will run from today, July 12th, through August 11th and is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.

DEALS, DEALS, DEALS!
If the $11 admission and $10 parking gives you the shivers, they have MANY promotions that will get you in on the cheap.  Read all about them HERE.  For example, every Saturday and Sunday from 10-11 a.m. you can take advantage of the "Rise and Shine" deal - a $3 admission!  Check out the page for many other deals.

FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
And, of course, there's the food... Ugh!  Where else can you find such culinary delights as bacon-wrapped, deep-friend turkey legs, deep-fried, bacon-wrapped pickles, deep-fried Oreos and - a new experience this year, a Krispy Kreme donut filled with Sloppy Joe filling?  Boy, if that doesn't have you salivating like Pavlov's Dog by now...

DON'T MISS IT!
So, plan to join the more than 1 million visitors to the Fair this year.  There's fun for everyone.  See you there.

It's That Time Of The Year - Again

LET'S EAT!
It's time for the Orange County Fair Again. A couple years ago some thought we might not see this day, but they were wrong. So, after divisive debate, countless legal battles, friends pitted against friends and alliances some folks knew could never work, Friday was opening day of the most recent iteration of the Orange County Fair. Early reports indicate the attendance is up 25% - a wonderful, welcome bit of news in this kind of economy.

A SPECIAL KICK-OFF THIS YEAR
But this year the Fair was actually kicked off by a very special event on Thursday. The brainchild of Fair Board Chairman Dave Ellis, the Fair hosted foster children from around Orange County as described in the press release, below:

“A Fair To Remember: A Celebration Of Our Children”
OC Fair Preview A Huge Success

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 15, 2011) – On the eve of the 2011 OC Fair, more than 8,200 foster children, foster families and county social services staff enjoyed a “Fair to Remember: A Celebration of Our Children,” sponsored by the OC Fair & Event Center. Attendees were treated to a complimentary dinner, dessert, Peking Acrobats performance, carnival rides, the Ice Museum and overall Fair merriment.

“The goal of this event was to put smiles on their faces and provide a rewarding Fair experience for them. We wanted to show our appreciation of the foster care community for the service they provide to our county,” stated OC Fair Board Chairman David Ellis.

More than 100 elected officials, including Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach and Assembly Members Allan Mansoor and Jim Silva, joined OC Fair Board members and staff to serve dinner to the visiting children and families.

“I hope ’A Fair to Remember: A Celebration of Our Children’ becomes an annual event. The OC Fair is all about children, families and family-friendly entertainment,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Dr. Steve Beazley.

The event was underwritten by donations from the community and OC Fair vendors.

“This event would not have been possible without the financial support of Orange County and the hard work of Fair Board Vice Chair Joyce Tucker to help secure the underwriting funds. Orange County is a compassionate and caring community that provided nearly $100,000 in donations to give the kids a Fair to Remember,” concluded Ellis.

Donors included: Argyros Family Foundation; Ben's Asphalt; Deborah and Larry Bridges; Tony and John Ginger; Henry T. Nicholas, III Foundation; Simon Foundation; Ovations Food Services; Ray Cammack Shows; R.A Industries, LLC; Glen & Mindy Stearns; Joyce and Tom Tucker; Allen and Susan Boerner; Namkung Promotions Inc.; Madison Materials; Ware Disposal; Centennial Farm Foundation; Cinquini Family Trust; Dale and Sandi Dykema; David & Christin Ellis Family Trust; Hensel Phelps Construction Co.; Victoria and Gil LeVasseur; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Foundation; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; Diana Martin; Carl F. McLarand’ OC Employees Association; Red Capital Group, LLC; Robert E. and Linda Yellin; Michael Berns; California Community Foundation; Larane Cinquini-Rodnick; Harry & Diane Rinker Foundation; Peter & Cindy Stephan Bergkvist; Bergkvist & Carter, LLP; Doug & Bonnie La Belle; Steve and Diane Beazley; EDB Consulting, LLC; Jerome and Lisa Hoban; Orange County Advocacy Group, Inc.; Betty Presley & Associates, Inc.; RBF Consulting; Kathleen Blomo; Gerard and Cherisse Goedhart; and Thalman & Associates.

The 2011 OC Fair, themed LET’S EAT!, is July 15 – August 14 and will bring 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the popular Super Pass (season pass), Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. The OC Fair was ranked the eighth highest attended fair in the U.S. last year by Venues Today magazine.

***

A NEW COLLABORATION - "@ THE FAIR"
One of the new features of this year's Fair experience is a collaboration between Costa Mesa TV and the Fair Staff called "@ The Fair", which is available for viewing on CMTV and on streaming video. Fair CEO Dr. Steve Beazley and CMTV's Dane Bora have teamed-up to present everything you want or need to know about this year's Fair. The link for the first edition of "@ The Fair" is available HERE. This looks like a great, easy-to-use resource for all those fair-goers who plan a big part of their summer around this month-long event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION....
For more information on all the entertainment, food and features available at this year's Orange County Fair, visit their web site HERE. The Fair runs from July 15th through August 14th, but is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. So, go to the fair and be the first person in your block to try this year's new culinary delight - Deep Fried Kool-Aid! What's next, Deep Fried Dust? Have fun...

It's Fair Time Again!

OH BOY! OH BOY! OH BOY!
Just a quickie this evening to remind you that the latest edition of the Orange County Fair begins tomorrow, July 16th and runs Wednesday through Sundays through August 15th.

FREE TOMORROW, IF YOU'RE LUCKY
If you're quick and lucky tomorrow, parking and admission is free from noon to 1 p.m. After that you pay full boat!

A PREVIEW
Here's a little clip I found from opening day last year to whet your appetite for deep fried Twinkies, turkey legs, corn-on-the-cob that tastes so good going down and all the rides that will let you taste all that stuff again on the way out!



HAVE FUN! THAT'S AN ORDER!
Have a wonderful time at the Fair and remember why so many of your neighbors have been fighting to protect it for the future. HERE is a link to the Fair web site with schedules of events and all that other fun stuff.

WHAT A YEAR!

Dear Loyal Readers (and the rest of you, too)

THANKS FOR STOPPING IN...
I can't believe we're a week away from yet another new year! Yikes! I want to thank each of you for taking the time to stop in at A Bubbling Cauldron from time to time, to see what kind of drivel I'm spewing.

COMMENTS WELCOME, EVEN WHEN THEY'RE WRONG!
I know from comments posted and from separate email correspondence and phone calls that some of the views I've expressed struck a chord with you. I also know that some of you disagree completely with what I've written. That's OK - I'm always happy to hear an opposing viewpoint, no matter how wrong it might be.

THE NEWPORT-MESA BEAT
This blog is mainly focused on Costa Mesa issues, with a little slop over into Newport Beach from time to time. I'm always happy to share my "wisdom" with our friends over there in the high rent district.

A YEAR UNLIKE ANY OTHER
This year in Costa Mesa has been one unlike any other I can recall in the more than three dozen years I've lived here. The budget travails alone would make it unique, but when you combine that with the potential sale of the Fairgrounds, it has made an amalgam of chaos that's almost impossible to explain. And that's just at the local level. When you consider that our trainee president is trying to turn the greatest representative republic in history into just another socialist enclave, I, for one, will be happy to see this year end!

ROEDER LEADS A STRONG TEAM
The budget problems were managed effectively by the City Staff, led as always by the best city manager in Orange County (at least), Allan Roeder. He and his team faced tremendous obstacles trying to find a way to balance the budget and maintain city services at the same time. The strength of the bench in Costa Mesa municipal government was apparent when, out of the blue and in the midst of the whole budget turmoil, Finance Director Marc Puckett left his position for reasons that have not been, and probably never will be, made known. The remaining Finance staff and the rest of the senior management team just hunkered down and all pulled together to help produce a budget that would work.

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO RETIREES
Many elements of that budget were necessarily nebulous. For example, one "great unknown" was just how many staffers would take advantage of the enhanced retirement package. Hopes were that maybe 50 of the 145 or so eligible might decide to bail out early. If that was the case, management was expecting to replace only 25 of those, which would result in an annual budget savings of around $3.5 million. As it turned out, slightly more than 50 have chosen to retire and, based on the analysis by the management staff, only six will be replaced. That resulted in a savings of over $3.6 million in this fiscal year alone - virtually doubling the anticipated savings. The final numbers are still fuzzy, but that part looks like it worked out just fine.

WE'LL KNOW IN A MONTH
By the end of January the staff will have prepared their mid-year budget review, which should tell us just how close we will come to the targets created last spring.

THE FAIRGROUNDS SALE!
Then, the city had the biggest curve ball of all - the potential sale of the Fairgrounds - thrown at it. This issue has brought together some very diverse constituencies, all fighting the sale. It's created some new friends and more than a few new adversaries. Carpetbagger Planning Commission Chairman Jim Righeimer launched his "Save The Fair" effort, which was viewed by many as a smokescreen to facilitate the scurrilous attempt by members of the current Fair Board to form a non-profit group to purchase the fair after having hired a former legislator - Dick Ackerman - to go to Sacramento specifically to facilitate the Fairgrounds being placed on the block. Hearings were held, emissaries were dispatched to Sacramento to plead for the sale to be quashed, a bill was introduced by Assemblyman Jose Solorio - AB1590 - to stop the sale and the governor was contacted and encouraged to kill this bad idea. The City and The County of Orange agreed to form a joint powers authority for the purpose of bidding on the Fairgrounds - a choice of last resort if the sale cannot be stopped.

PROCESS IS MOVING FORWARD
As of this writing the sale process continues to barrel down the track with sealed bids due by January 8, 2010, which will be opened on the 14th and an auction comprised of qualified potential buyers will commence. Fingers all over Orange County are turning blue from being crossed in hopes of the sale being stopped.

And those two items were just the "big" two that faced Costa Mesa this year.

MORE BUDGET PROBLEMS AHEAD
Next year the budget difficulties will certainly continue as property tax revenues are certain to decline and sales taxes, already dropping, will likely continue to show weakness as our trainee president and his band of anarchists attempt to turn the strongest economy in the world into a second tier country.

ONE MORE TIME...
So, I want to thank every member of the Costa Mesa city staff, from Allan Roeder on down to the guys driving the street sweepers, for their efforts to keep the municipal wheels from coming off. 2010 will find many fewer people in place to meet the demands of our residents. It's going to take a whole lot of patience on our part as calls for service are delayed.

WITH FINGERS CROSSED...
2009 has been, in many ways, a truly terrible year. I hope, with fingers turning blue, that 2010 will be better - even if it only is a little better. I hope you all have a good year.

Here's some more Christmas Cheer for you today.

MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR - O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

General Plan Amendment To Go On Ballot

COUNCIL UNANIMOUS ON BALLOT MEASURE
As anticipated, Tuesday evening the Costa Mesa City Council unanimously directed the staff to prepare a General Plan amendment for the Orange County Fair and Events Center property and a ballot measure for the June, 2010 ballot reflecting that amendment to be placed before the voters.

SPECIFIC PLAN PREPARATION TO PROCEED, TOO
Staff also indicated that it will proceed with a Specific Plan for the site, as well, but the ballot measure will reflect the General Plan amendment.

PLANNING COMMISSION TO REVIEW ON 12/14/09
City Attorney Kim Barlow reported from the closed session that the council directed staff to place on the December 14, 2009 Planning Commission meeting agenda a General Plan consistency review. She also indicated that the council may call another closed session meeting on December 8th and perhaps another meeting on the 15th. She also indicated that other meetings might be called later in the month as needed because of the pace of the State's process for selling the site.

SPECIAL LINK ON CITY WEB SITE
This process is really heating up now. The City has placed a special link on it's Home Page as shown on this image. This is a one-stop shop for all things related to the Fairgrounds sale. Notices about any future meetings and the results thereof will be posted on the site. At this time about the only thing missing from the site is the most recent addendum to the State RFP, but I suspect that will be posted soon. Unlike most months of December in recent memory, which tended to be snoozers, this December is going to be full of Fairgrounds-related activity and meetings. Stay tuned...

O.C. Fair Sale Pot Is At Full Boil

FAIRGROUNDS SALE A HOT TOPIC
The sale of the Orange County Fair and Events Center as a theoretical method of balancing the state's budget continues to generate more heat than light.


MUCH PUBLISHED OPINION
Much has been written in the local media recently on this subject, including on this blog. The President of the current Fair board, Kristina Dodge - who could probably buy the Fairgrounds from her petty cash account - wrote an opinion piece in the Daily Pilot HERE. The editors of the Daily Pilot opined that the Fair should stay, HERE.

LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE
Following the most recent Costa Mesa City Council meeting last Tuesday night Daily Pilot reporter Mona Shadia gave us her take on the proceedings HERE and Orange County Register columnist Frank Mickadeit dragged himself away from his law books to cover the meeting, which he summarizes HERE.

RIGGY WANTS A BALLOT MEASURE
Republican activist, Costa Mesa Planning Commission Chairman and councilman-wannabe Jim Righeimer has taken the cause of keeping the Fair intact under his wing and has written two columns in the Daily Pilot to generate interest in a ballot measure to accomplish that goal, HERE and HERE. Stand-in City Attorney, Harold Potter, opined last Tuesday that the City cannot put this issue on the ballot - something do do with liability if it scares off a potential buyer. He was directed to present more information to the council on this issue.

NEW ORGANIZATION'S MEETINGS TO BE CLOSED TO PUBLIC
Then, to the surprise of very few following this issue, our friends at the Newport-Mesa Daily Voice tells us HERE that the new Orange County Fair and Events Center Foundation - which includes many of the current Fair Board members - have decided that their meetings will not be open to the public. Remember that smell when you drive past a squashed skunk on the road? That's what I smell with this decision, and it's certainly an example of the reason there is so much distrust of this board and their real motives for trying to purchase the Fairgrounds on the cheap. By the way, we still don't know who is on that new board. We do know Dodge and political kingmaker Dave Ellis are apparently on the board, but the other four members from the current Fair Board have not been identified, nor have the two residents of Costa Mesa or other members.

PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 9TH
On November 9th Assemblyman Jose Solorio and Assemblyman Van Tran will co-host a hearing on the sale of the Fairgrounds in the Costa Mesa City Council Chambers, from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. I called Solorio's office to see who will be speaking, but was told the panel is still being assembled. (UPDATE: Solorio's office confirmed the tentative attendance of Councilwoman Katrina Foley, Jeff Teller of the Orange County Marketplace and Rick Hansen of the Equestrian Centrer. More to follow as names are confirmed.) I also contacted the City to see if, since this meeting will occur in the Council Chambers during normal business hours, the proceedings will be televised - live or taped for future viewing. I just received a reply - the meeting WILL be televised live on CMTV, Channel 24, and on streaming video (for those outside the city) and will also be included in the replay rotation for future viewing. According to the announcement, a reservation to attend the meeting in person is required, as implied in the last line. Here is the text of the announcement of the meeting:

KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PROCESS!
Based on the recent activities on this issue, there is much public interest in retaining the Fairgrounds as-is - with all the amenities and features intact. The way things seem to be shaking out, if we don't pay very, very close attention to this process we're going to find the Fairgrounds sold for a low-ball price to a group that will then manipulate the Costa Mesa City Council into re-zoning it for major development purposes.

WHENCE THE FAIR?
One question that continues to linger is the status of the group that was appointed by the Governor to run the Fairgrounds. We know the Fair, itself, is guaranteed by the terms of the Request for Proposals for the sale that the Fair is to run unobstructed next year. The actual closing of the acquisition occurs in October, 2010. If the Fairgrounds does, in fact, get sold to someone who wants to put a casino, a toxic waste dump or high rise condos on that 150 acres, what happens to the Fair? Well, if you stand on your tippy-toes and look southeast you'll find a perfect location - the Emperor Agran's Great Boondoggle, er, Park! Yep, it's a perfect place to carve out a couple hundred acres for a new, improved Orange County Fairgrounds. Don't you suppose some of those folks on the Fair Board have thought just a little about that?

DON'T BLINK!
Stay alert on this issue or it will be a done deal before you finish unwrapping your Christmas presents!