“HIPS ON THE DRAG QUEENS …”

From a weird news standpoint, the apex of 2023 for our West Orange County area has to be the Huntington Beach City Council creating an uproar about a library book called “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish.”

Yes, while Surf City was struggling with a looming municipal deficit, an emerging (and somewhat exaggerated) reputation of being ground zero of right-wing extremism, a brain drain of management talent to other more stable cities and a bitterly-divided city council, four members of the council thought cross-dressing was worth sounding the fire-bell of controversy and burning up staff time.

One of the most bad-asterisk moments of the year took place at meeting of the Westminster City Council when some members earned a place in “Profiles in Courage” by hemming and hawing about the value of an agreement from the use of city land for electronic bill boards that would bring in $63 million (over 30 years) to a city that’s just about flat broke.

At a May meeting, three members of the council averred, wanting to delay or even participate in negotiating the deal. City Manager Christine Cordon – she of steel in her spine and brains in her head – shot back that “I find this insulting. I spoke to each of you individually about this,” and suggested that if they think they are that qualified, they could always apply for a job in the planning department.

The billboard deal was eventually approved earlier this month, and the city was once again saved from the head-scratching habits of some members of its city council.

L.P. Webber may have founded Westminster, but Ms. Cordon is keeping it alive.

On a more tragic note, 2023 has brought a near-epidemic of pedestrian deaths to our West Orange County area. It’s not clear whether more blame is on inattentive motorists or daredevil walkers, but both sides need to wake up.

Drivers, be especially watchful after dark, and pedestrians, remember what every third-grader was told years ago – look both ways when crossing a street.

Otherwise, those behind the wheel may wake up in jail and those stepping heedlessly off the curb may not wake up at all.