Anil Puri’s CSUF survey asked execs to rank the threats to the economy: No. 1 was polarization of our politics. OK, but when does that start to stanch our growing economy?
Try Anaheim, where Disneyland Resort officially nixed plans for a four-diamond hotel—not going to happen, no pre-election posturing, sources tell Insider—and Angels Baseball LP opted out of its stadium lease and don’t have to stay in Anaheim beyond next year.
“Anaheim’s toxic political environment has consequences,” termed-out Council Member Kris Murray said in a recent press release. “First, the city lost thousands of local jobs and millions in future tax revenue when Disney cancelled their planned four-diamond hotel. Now the city is at risk of losing our beloved Angels Baseball team. This must stop now.”
There is another side, represented by boosters of an $18 an hour “living wage” initiative, Measure L, and residents forever miffed at Angels owner Arte Moreno’s 2006 name change.
It’s all lousy business, lousier politics, and a windfall for consultants in the arena. Disney and other developers, squaring off with labor unions and its allies, will each exceed $1 million in spending on Measure L and the city’s four elective races …
Friends of Mike Lutton remembered the former Irvine Co. office president last week at Big Canyon Country Club. He passed this month at 62. There are several million square feet in the county with his imprimatur … Jeff Moorad, chairman of Morgan, Lewis’ global sports practice and former co-owner of the San Diego Padres, emceed … 200 to 300 expected for what became an estimated 1,000 overflow turnout.
”Great opportunity to remember Mike. Quite a touching event,” Moorad said. He and Lutton natives of Central Valley and once landing in Newport were “friends ever since.” Moorad recalled searching for a next venture after the Padres sale, when Lutton suggested teaching … Moorad’s now a popular adjunct prof. at UCLA, his alma mater …
Inspiration Point … At Tuesday’s Marshall Toplansky and Joel Kotkin confab on what ails the Golden State, (see page 92) several observers suggested that the genesis of the state’s frigid business climate starts in schools, where entrepreneurship and work are often derided. I can’t testify that schools in Dallas or Salt Lake City stuff their curricula with rhapsodic tales of Will Durant or Ray Kroc. I can give huzzahs to Steve Luther Elementary School in the Cypress school district, where teachers, students and administrators spent an annual Thursday night serving patrons at the McDonald’s restaurant in La Palma owned by franchisees Brian Carmack and Peter Horner—state law prohibits grill work … Kudos to Principal Denine Kelly and about 100 Luther Lions for wading into the labor pool AND raising money for their school, and to BCH Corp. for donating part of the proceeds …
