Congressman Endorses Keith Curry for State Assembly
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher endorsed Keith Curry for the State Assembly this week, according to an announcement.
“I am honored to have the support of my longtime friend and fellow Reagan Administration alumni Congressman Dana Rohrabacher,” Curry said.
Curry is running in the 74th district. In Congress, Rohrabacher represents many of the communities in the district.
“Keith (Curry) and I have worked together so many times and so well in the past and I am sure we will be working together in the future for the betterment of Coastal Orange County,” Rohrabacher said in the prepared statement. “We need Keith in Sacramento working for us. He is the right choice for State Assembly.”
Dixon Raises $70,000 for Council Race
Diane Dixon has raised $70,000 in donations and pledges for her Newport Beach City Council campaign, she said this week.
Dixon, who began her campaign in January, spoke to a group of supporters last week at the home of Peggy and Michael Lanni. Among those present were former Newport Beach mayors Evelyn Hart and Dennis O’Neil, businessmen Buck Johns and Walkie Ray, former city manager and councilman Robert Shelton, and two dozen others.
“I am so very grateful for the support I’ve received,” Dixon said. “I have been meeting and listening to people from all parts of the city and each area has its special concerns: Corona del Mar, Balboa Peninsula, West Newport. But everywhere I go, the overriding issue is quality of life. Newport Beach is an exceptional, extraordinary city. It’s paradise. My goal is to keep it that way. Together, we will.”
Dixon also fielded questions from her audience on a range of issues, including the city budget and pensions, public safety, John Wayne Airport, and group homes in the city. She spoke about “the need for a city government that is more responsive, respectful and resourceful with taxpayer dollars.”
“Present company excepted,” said Shelton, with a wink at his two former Council colleagues, “Diane is the most knowledgeable and best prepared candidate in my memory.”
In a 30-year career with Avery Dennison, Diane Brooks Dixon created, led and managed global corporate communications and governmental affairs for the Fortune 300 corporation with $6 billion in sales and operations in more than 60 countries. Since 2011, she has offered her expertise to select corporate and nonprofit clients through Diane Dixon Global Consultants.
She lives on Lido Isle with her husband, Patrick Dixon, who served as Assistant District Attorney after his long-time role as head of the Major Crimes Unit of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
Dinner Events to Benefit Local Charity
On June 14, a private residence in Corona del Mar will host a “fun filled Evening of Spain” to benefit a local charity that supports kids in Kenya.
Cradle to Career: Kenya is planning the festive event that will feature paella cooked on site, tapas, sangria, wine and more.
On June 4, the nonprofit is planning another dinner fundraiser event at Vitaly Caffe in Costa Mesa. The event will feature four courses and wine pairings.
Both events begin at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $50, which includes a $10 donation for the children of C2C.
For more information, visit C2CKenya.org
Keith Curry Calls for Protections for OC Fairgrounds
Saying it is time to eliminate the risk that the Orange County Fairgrounds could be sold or leased to a private party, 74th Assembly District candidate and Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry called for the repeal of state legislation adopted in 2009 to allow for the sale or long term lease of the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.
“The Fairgrounds belong to the people; selling vital state assets as a one-time budget balancing strategy was one of the misguided and ineffectual ideas of the Schwarzenegger administration. While the efforts in Orange County were bungled and unsuccessful, the legislation authorizing such a sale or lease is still on the books. Repealing Assembly Bill 22 would remove the risk that future fair boards may be tempted to sell this essential public asset in the future,” said Curry.
As part of his budget strategy in 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sought authority to sell and lease back several state assets including the Orange County Fairgrounds. The Fair Board at the time pursued this strategy until public outcry forced its abandonment.
“Repealing the authorization contained in AB 22 is consistent with the recommendations of the Fair Sale Review Board that evaluated this process after the sale failed. If this law is still on the books when I take office, my first bill will be to repeal this authorization. Any future consideration of selling the Fairgrounds should first have to proceed through full legislative review and authorization before being pursued. Removing this authority will give greater certainty to the current fair board in negotiating financing and facility improvements on the Fairgrounds,” Curry continued.
Fair Board Chairman Stan Thaczyck welcomed Curry’s initiative.
“Selling the Fairgrounds was a bad idea and we need to remove this poorly thought out authorization from the books,” he said. “We welcome Councilman Curry’s support in this effort.”
