In 2001 Todd Spitzer voted with the four other county supervisors to give safety officers a 50% pension boost. The increase was applied to time already served, too, a decision that has added an estimated $180 million to the county’s obligations. Now he’s urging the current supes to keep fighting to undo the retroactive benefit, despite a court loss last week. “It has turned out to be a devastating public policy decision. I will take full responsibility for it. The litigation should go forward to the (state) Supreme Court,” Spitzer said on “Inside OC,” hours after a state appeals court ruled 3-0 for the sheriff deputies’ union. Spitzer said his board was following the lead of other counties when it granted the increase: “No one testified against it. The economy was doing great. No one really saw that this would be a wave of bad public policy” …
Homebuilder Jim Baldwin lost another round in his $21.5 million loan dispute with Broadcom cofounder Henry “Nick” Nicholas: U.S. District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz in San Diego denied Baldwin’s motion to release the impounded Triton, a 163-foot yacht that Baldwin had put up as loan collateral. Nicholas says Baldwin reneged on repayment. Baldwin says Nicholas set him up … More chatter on Bill and Melinda Gates’ recent OC visit. They spent New Year’s Eve at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Coast but left before midnight …
UCI’s Merage b-school is 27th on Financial Times’ new b-school list, its highest ranking yet …
Music trumps politics: Fresh from his controversial White House performance, Chinese pianist Lang Lang got enthusiastic applause in Segerstrom Concert Hall …
Tom Tait made a flashy entrance with Anaheim Ballet for his first State of the City address. He spoke openly: “The overriding reality is that we cannot ensure Anaheim’s long-term fiscal health without addressing (public employee) pensions.” He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to the big-ticket transportation center. He called for a spirit of “freedom” and “kindness.” He received a standing ovation from the crowd of 800. The new mayor committed only one gaffe—he almost forgot to introduce his wife. After recognizing other family members, city officials and dignitaries, Tait was about to launch into his speech when he was made aware of his oversight by a shout from businessman and former Anaheim council candidate Bill Dalati. “I saved her for last,” said Tait, recovering his composure, taking a gulp of water and asking his grinning wife Julie to stand. He complimented her outfit, too …
Tait also introduced “my friend” Curt Pringle, for the first time in nine years a spectator at the event he elevated to gala status … Speaking of kindness, the Anaheim Chamber-hosted event at the newly named City National Grove of Anaheim included nods to “Angels Baseball.” Chairman Dennis Kuhl took a bow and donated a team-autographed ball. Kuhl told the Insider that relations with the city are beyond thawed, they’re “excellent.”
