No trailer trash: The leases are up and the state wants them out. But many El Morro trailer park residents continue to fight for their controversial oceanfront getaways that, at least until now, have come at dirt-cheap prices. Current or former denizens of the North Laguna enclave include Edwards Lifesciences chief Michael Mussallem, former The Irvine Company exec Tom Nielsen, winery man John Giumarra, OC Register publisher emeritus David Threshie, SG Wholesale Roofing’s Jamie Glazer, SunCoast Properties CEO Roberto Brutocao, marketing exec Joyce Ukropina and Netscope Prez Michael Beresford. Then-fledgling designer Mossimo Giannulli used to sell T-shirts to neighbors; sports agent Dwight Manley has let Karl Malone and other clients stay at his place. Residents acknowledge that the state has been shorting itself on rent, but say they’re willing to pay a market rate. Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, recipient of campaign funds from El Morro, is pushing that concept as better for taxpayers than turning the site into a public park and campground ,,,
If only it was as easy to get a flight as a cup of coffee: John Wayne has added a second and third Starbucks ,,,
The Orange County Register was on high alert last week as authorities took over the bastion of libertarianism. The building was barricaded with police cars, swarming with Secret Service agents and searched by bomb-sniffing dogs. Windows were covered, stairways were closed off and a helicopter circled. Was the paper under attack from terrorists or socialists? No, just being visited by veep Dick Cheney, for whom such security measures are routine. The Register offered some resistance: It declined to disclose for background checks the race and gender of persons attending the editorial board meeting. An agent watched as Cheney’s decaffeinated coffee was brewed and served (black) ,,,
Sandi Cain reports that 10 resorts have formed a marketing group to promote coastal OC as “The Oceanfront.” Everyone’s involved from Huntington Beach to Laguna Beach, including the Montage, St. Regis, Four Seasons and Balboa Bay Club. Everyone, that is, but the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel ,,,
Michael S. Gordon (StoneCreek Capital) has been elected chairman of the OC Performing Arts Center, succeeding Paul Folino ,,,
Bryan Murphy’s opening bid of $150 for the OC Forum’s Tom Campbell clock was topped by Wylie Aitken: “I will bid $200 since I have always supported the fact that the wealthiest Californians should step forward and tax themselves to reduce the deficit.” But Tim Paone, a former OC campaign chair for Campbell, took over at $250: “Can you explain to me why I’m having to bid against two Democrats? ,,,
If we can get this thing up to $10 billion or so the state should be looking pretty good.” See last week’s column for details. To bid, email the Insider at reiff@ocbj.com.
