Hoiles Heir Hires Alioto; Build It and They Will Fund
OC INSIDER by Rick Reiff
The OC Register reports the stories, but now it has become the story, with the feud among heirs of founder R.C. Hoiles erupting into full view as 9% owner Tim Hoiles is demanding that parent Freedom Communications sell the company or take other action so that he and other interested shareholders can cash out. The Wall Street Journal broke the news last Wednesday, but Insider readers were the first to read about “unrest in the upper reaches” of Freedom on April 29 and again on June 17. Whatever the outcome, it should be interesting to watch Freedom’s low-key board and management wrangle with “black sheep” Tim. The Insider hears Hoiles began pressuring the Freedom board last spring, when he hired high-profile antitrust lawyer Joseph M. Alioto, son of the late, famous antitrust lawyer and San Francisco mayor Joseph L. Alioto …
The OC Performing Arts Center plans to start construction (not merely do a symbolic groundbreaking) on its $200 million concert hall first thing next year, even though only half the amount has been raised and contributions have slowed. Since last October less than $6 million has come in, a rate that would require 15 years to raise the remaining $100 million. Center president Jerry Mandel blames the slowdown on the post-Sept. 11 mood and the stock market plunge, but “absolutely not” on any ill will caused by the Broadcom lawsuit pitting center patrons against each other. Indeed, nonprofits everywhere are hurting (the Register reported that UCI’s fundraising dropped sharply for the second straight fiscal year.) Still, Mandel says several big gifts are in the works and predicts fundraising will revive as people see the center taking shape: “Worst case, construction will halt for a while,it won’t be the first time in the arts world.” Isn’t there a risk OCPAC could get stuck with a never-finished white elephant? “I don’t think that will happen here in OC” …
Chuck and Twyla Martin are entertaining legendary John Glenn at their Smithcliffs home this week. “There will be a little nostalgia involved since Pancho Barnes lived on our site before moving to Edwards Air Force Base and setting up the Happy Bottom Riding Club that was the watering hole for Chuck Yeager and others that had the right stuff,” Chuck Martin says …
Hard to believe, but Christine Diemer Iger has turned 50. Harder yet to believe she forgot to inform the Insider. Thanks, Lynne Fishel …
Mark Johnson recently hosted a fundraising lunch at the Center Club for GOP Senate hopefuls Norm Coleman (Minnesota), Jim Talent (Missouri) and John Thune (South Dakota). Johnson discusses his role in the failed Dick Riordan gubernatorial campaign, page 1 …
Go, girl: Marisa Reisman turned 16 on July 19, returned from China on the 20th and got her driver’s license on the 21st.
