The Insider says Gary Liebl is fighting prostate cancer with educated decisions

Some top OC executives aren’t waiting for the economists to revise their forecasts; privately, they say a recession is already here When tech guru and former QLogic chairman Gary Liebl was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, he decided to deal with the situation as he would a business challenge. “You don’t get emotional or apprehensive, you get informed, you look at all the options, you make an informed decision and you implement a course of action.” Liebl, 59, scoured the Internet (including Michael Milken’s site), read books, flew around the country to meet with specialists and attended the Prostate Cancer Research Institute’s annual convention. “I’ve had specialists tell me I know more about this subject than a lot of urologists do.” Liebl opted to fight “the dragon” with “the most aggressive treatments I can and without regard to pain, discomfort or even lasting after-effects.” He underwent surgery Jan. 29. “I am doing well, recuperating slowly, but ahead of where I should be according to ‘the book.'” He’s on chapter 66 of his daily reflections, counseling other prostate cancer patients and crusading about the importance of annual tests for males over 40. Liebl has even set up a Web site, www.liebl.com/gary/, where you can check his progress, leave him a message or learn more about prostate cancer Taxing times: Taxpayers seeking information from the California Franchise Tax Board are greeted with this phone recording: “Your call may be inadvertently disconnected if we are experiencing a power outage” One of the county’s best-connected buddy acts, political consulting firm Ellis/Hart Associates, has dissolved after 12 years. Dave Ellis will continue to work for the proposed El Toro airport, as well as other issues and campaigns, and keep the Sacramento office going. Scott Hart has moved into smaller digs and will focus on GOP slate mailers and his own clients. “Hey, now I’m airport-neutral,” quipped Hart, explaining that being an El Toro partisan had restricted his pool of potential clients. These godfathers of each other’s kids described the split as strictly business. “I still talk to the guy every day,” Hart said. They first teamed up in 1984 as staffers for then-Newport Beach state senator (and Century 21 pioneer) Ollie Speraw EE RR and 80 other cast members are suffering withdrawal after a smash CHOC Follies. Everyone except John Crean remembered their lines, and the three shows drew more than 2,000 to the El Toro base, got standing ovations and netted more than $200,000 for Children’s Hospital. The annual event has now raised more than $1 million.