La Habra Heights News

Updated: 11/24/09 10:00AM

La Habra Heights - Los Angeles County firefighters knocked down a brush fire that was burning very near some homes in La Habra Heights on Monday afternoon.

Fire Inspector Steve Zermeno says the fire was reported at 1:24 p.m. Monday and knocked down at 2:17 p.m. after burning a few acres.

Three Los Angeles County Fire Department water-dropping helicopters utilized residential swimming pools and kept the flames east of Hacienda Road. Two contractor type water tenders in the area for road reconstruction supplied water to La County Fire engines. Each water tender holds 2500 gallons of water the equivalent of 5 fire engines. The area between Skyline and Canada Sombre, where the fire occurred has no fire hydrants.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but witnesses report seeing heavy road-grading equipment working in the area adjacent to the starting point of the fire. Workers attempted to put out the fire using one of their water tenders. At one point deploying a hand line as the fire raced up the hillside towards what is locally know as the Heights Inn, an assisted living home for the elderly.

Contractors have been working along a closed stretch of Hacienda Road to repair the roadway after the 2005 rainstorms weakened the hillside along the road.

Southern California is beginning to feel the effects of a dry, warm Santa Ana condition that is expected to last through Thanksgiving. Fire Weather Watch’s may be issued as early as Tuesday afternoon for portions of Los Angeles and Orange County.

Click here to view photos - courtesy TheAvocadoExpress.com

Hometown news report with photos (click here)

LA HABRA HEIGHTS - Officials in this tiny city - a population of a little more than 6,000 - are gearing up to fight state rules requiring zoning for affordable or multi-family housing.

State rules mandate the city provide for 223 new housing units, including 85 for people with low- and very-low income and another 48 for moderate-income levels.

To meet these goals, Beth Stochl, a city consultant, proposed that the city rezone the four-acre Heights Christian Preschool for multi-family and provide amnesty for illegal second units.

But residents and council members objected during a study session Thursday, saying it would cost the city its rural lifestyle.

But resistance could come at a cost, City Attorney Sandra Levin said. If the city doesn't have a state-approved housing plan, a developer or housing advocacy group could sue and force its creation and La Habra Heights to pay their attorney's fees, Levin said.

But resident Stephen Blagden believes the city should challenge the state. "If you change the character of the city, the biggest impact will be over the long run," Blagden said. "If you have people who don't participate in the rural environment, they're likely to demand things that fit their needs, like public transportation, street lights or a convenience store."

Blagden said other cities, including Lancaster, Manhattan Beach, Rolling Hills and Signal Hills have refused to meet the state's requirements.

Should the city rezone the Heights Christian Preschool, 1225 N. Hacienda Road, for multiple residents, it doesn't necessarily mean they would sell the site, said Betty Kimes, chief executive officer of Family Resource Ministries that runs the school.

"That would all be open for discussion," Kimes said. "We are not unhappy being there, but we would consider other options."

Still, Planning Commissioner Ray Fernandez said he favors the consultant's plan to allow multiple housing in La Habra Heights. "We have a moral obligation to help the less fortunate," Fernandez said. "So we build senior housing?"

What's the harm, he asked. "We might have to drive a little slower," he said.

Another meeting on the issue is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

LA HABRA HEIGHTS - Mayor Howard Vipperman has sued George Edwards, an unsuccessful candidate for City Council and most recently water board, for slander and over an ownership dispute regarding radios used by the La Habra Fire Watch, a fire prevention group.

Vipperman also sued Edwards' wife, Julie Ragozzino, and the East Heights Volunteer Fire Department in Los Angeles Superior Court. The latter is an association set up by Edwards and his wife after he purchased a fire engine.

In July 2007 Vipperman said he gave Edwards $4,059 to buy six radios, four of which are in the hands of members of the the Fire Watch group. The Vippermans have the other two. The money was his own, Vipperman said.

"I can't understand it. It was a shocker considering Howard and Karen (Vipperman's wife) were founding members."

The Vippermans have since resigned from the nonprofit group that works to prevent wildland fires in La Habra Heights.

Edwards and Vipperman were allies when he was elected to the City Council in 2007. Since then, they have a falling out. Edwards didn't have his support when he ran for City Council in March or the La Habra Heights Water Board Tuesday.

The second part of the lawsuit deals with the ownership of the radios that Edwards purchased with the money from Vipperman. Vipperman said he gave the money to buy the radios with the understanding the units were a loan from him.

"The radios were to encourage people to join the Fire Watch on the theory that once people started using the radios and understood their use they would purchase their own," Vipperman said. Then, the radios would be returned and loaned to new members, he said.

Members use the radios to communicate with each other while patrolling the heights to assist the Fire Department in looking for dangerous situations, said Greg Stefflre, the Fire Watch's executive director.

Vipperman said he asked for the return of one of the radios but Edwards and the La Habra Heights Fire Watch group refused to give them back.

Edwards said he had understood the money for the radios was a donation. "When somebody makes a donation and you're not happy, your only recourse is not to donate again if you no longer believe in the organization," he said.

But Ragozzino said she believes the whole issue is sad. "The radios are held by Fire Watch members who are active in protecting the entire community."

LA HABRA HEIGHTS- Mayor Howard Vipperman has sued George Edwards, an unsuccessful candidate for City Council and most recently water board, for slander and over an ownership dispute regarding radios used by the La Habra Fire Watch, a fire prevention group.

Vipperman also sued Edwards' wife, Julie Ragozzino, and the East Heights Volunteer Fire Department in Los Angeles Superior Court. The latter is an association set up by Edwards and his wife after he purchased a fire engine.

In July 2007 Vipperman said he gave Edwards $4,059 to buy six radios, four of which are in the hands of members of the the Fire Watch group. The Vippermans have the other two. The money was his own, Vipperman said.

"I can't understand it. It was a shocker considering Howard and Karen (Vipperman's wife) were founding members."

The Vippermans have since resigned from the nonprofit group that works to prevent wildland fires in La Habra Heights.

Edwards and Vipperman were allies when he was elected to the City Council in 2007. Since then, they have a falling out. Edwards didn't have his support when he ran for City Council in March or the La Habra Heights Water Board Tuesday.

The second part of the lawsuit deals with the ownership of the radios that Edwards purchased with the money from Vipperman. Vipperman said he gave the money to buy the radios with the understanding the units were a loan from him.

"The radios were to encourage people to join the Fire Watch on the theory that once people started using the radios and understood their use they would purchase their own," Vipperman said. Then, the radios would be returned and loaned to new members, he said.

Members use the radios to communicate with each other while patrolling the heights to assist the Fire Department in looking for dangerous situations, said Greg Stefflre, the Fire Watch's executive director.

Vipperman said he asked for the return of one of the radios but Edwards and the La Habra Heights Fire Watch group refused to give them back.

Edwards said he had understood the money for the radios was a donation. "When somebody makes a donation and you're not happy, your only recourse is not to donate again if you no longer believe in the organization," he said.

But Ragozzino said she believes the whole issue is sad. "The radios are held by Fire Watch members who are active in protecting the entire community."

Brad Cooke Wins Water Board Election - (Semi-Final Results) Large Turnout - Gap Between Heintz and Edwards Narrowing to 23 votes in Late Returns.

See Results: La Habra Heights Election Results (click here)

La Habra Heights - The usually quiet, uncontroversial La Habra Heights Water District election proved different this year.

Issues of Perks, Pay, Emergency Preparedness, and Maintenance were discussed via mailers, news articles and on-line forums.

Voters have a clear choice between Candidates on these issues.

Pay & Perks Record releases by the Water District showed that Board members had been charging alcohol and high priced meals to Water District Customers, bringing spouses to meals and hotels, and spending expensive weekends at local hotels rather than commuting.

In a Whittier Daily News article, candidates Cooke and Heintz admitted inappropriate spending, but did not volunteer to repay the District. Candidate Edwards stated that such spending was a betrayal of the public trust.

Board members not only receive their $100 Stipend for monthly Board meetings, but also for attending Water District related functions, at the discretion of the Board member.

On Pay & Perks, Cooke and Heintz are in favor of continuing them, while Edwards rejects them and will not accept them if elected.

Generators The issue of Emergency Generators also generated differences.

Brad Cooke and Jeff Heintz point to four portable generators the District purchased in 2001.

None of the generators are automatic. The two generators that would serve the City if power were cut off in a wildfire, outage, or earthquake, are at the District headquarters and would have to be transported and hooked up by specialized personnel. Edwards says that Generators should be permanently installed and automatically activated in order to serve their intended purpose, and paid for with current budget.

Agricultural Water and Recycled Water

George Edwards proposed consideration of Agricultural Water Rates similar to what had been done in the past. Users would have a separate meter to irrigate Avocado trees and other crops, and pay a lower rate. This would use the same infrastructure that exists. Edwards is opposed to recycled water.

Jeffrey Heintz proposed looking at Recycled water for irrigation and fire fighting in his candidate's statement. This would require installation of a new Pipeline system, tanks and pumps to bring it in. In a later statement, Heintz said that reclaimed water is uneconomical.

Vote ! Polls are open Today from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Includes Reimbursement Requests for 12 mile trip all the way up to a $1000 Weekend in Long Beach!

La Habra Heights - A Public Records request for reimbursements to Water Board members for the period March 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 yielded over 40 more pages of documents, raising questions of appropriateness of spending and judgment of La Habra Heights County Water District Board members.

This period includes one of the worst economic downturns since the Great Depression, and with a California unemployment rate over 10%.

Receipts indicate that Board member Jeffrey Heintz spent a weekend at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach with his wife, with the Water District customers paying the way.

Board Member Pam McVicar submitted receipts for a trip to Sacramento, indicating her husband and an undisclosed “friend” Director Bob Wilson spent a weekend in Long Beach, at a cost over $1000, including valet parking.

Board members Jeffrey Heintz and Pam McVicar submitted reimbursement requests for a 12.96-mile trip to nearby Diamond Bar.

Of note, Board President, Brad Cooke did not submit any requests for reimbursements during the 18-month period covered in the 40 pages released by the Water District.

Click Here To Read 40 Pages Released By The La Habra Heights County Water District For Reimbursement Requests Made By Water Board Members.

Fado was found in the City of Whittier and is waiting to be reunited with his owner!

The following information is released at the request of the La Habra Heights Lost Animal Network.

To all my friends and family. I lost my Portuguese Water Dog Fado yesterday.

I left him in my vehicle while I went into a home in La Habra to work and train customers dog. When I came out to my car my other two dogs, A Dobie and Matuse, were in the car, but not "FADO" he was gone.( Fado has an I.D. Chip}

I am totally devastated my dogs are like my kids. I have not stopped crying since I lost him yesterday 10-21-09 between 3;30 and 5: P.M.in the 200 blk of Mission St. La Habra. Metues and I miss him sooooo much.

If you know of any one who lives in La Harbra or the surrounding area can you please foward this email to them. Please Please we want him back.

They're not just talking about water in the race for this city's water district Board of Directors.

LA HABRA HEIGHTS - They're not just talking about water in the race for this city's water district Board of Directors. The race between three-term incumbent Brad Cooke, appointed incumbent Jeffrey Heintz and challenger George Edwards also is focused on perks, such as board compensation and whether the district should have reimbursed board members for business meals that included alcoholic beverages.

Cooke and Heintz say the liquor issue was a mistake but their leadership has ensured the district is making needed improvements without having to raise rates.

"That is a betrayal of the public trust for them to claim they are fiscal conservatives and do this," Edwards said about the reimbursement for liquor.

"The situation was brought to our attention and was corrected," Cooke said. It's not going to happen again, Heintz said.

Another issue is over pay. Board members now are paid $100 per day of service up to three times a month. Edwards said that violates the spirit of La Habra Heights volunteerism. "In La Habra Heights they don't pay the City Council; they don't pay the Planning Commission," Edwards said. "They shouldn't pay the water board. Cooke and Heintz said the $100 stipend has been in place since 1980 and never increased.

Cooke said there's nothing wrong with board members getting paid. "You would not imagine the amount of hours everyone puts in," he said. "The stipend doesn't come near anything for the time."

The three candidates also disagree on key water issues and it again pits the two incumbents against the challenger. "I am running on leadership and conservative economic issues so that we can through our master plan continue improvements in the district without raising taxes," Cooke said.

But Edwards said the district shouldn't be doing major projects, such as the water tank, without going to voters first for their approval.

"Let the community vote if they want these projects," he said.

Cooke said the board is elected to represent the people and there's no need for a bond issue.

The Lowell Joint Education Foundation will hold a Tapas & Wine Tasting meet-and-greet fundraiser from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1401 Popenoe Road.

Tickets are $40 per person.

The event will feature a champagne reception, chocolate fountain, tapas and wine-tasting, live music, raffles and auction.

For information or to buy tickets, call Veronica Rico at (562) 947-0453 or Carmen Miller at (323)810-3077, or visit

LJEFonline.org

Jeffrey Heintz's use of the word "incumbent" as his ballot designation violated state's election code. Los Angeles County Recorders office investigates.

La Habra Heights - Jeffrey Heintz was appointed to the La Habra Heights County Water District Board in February 2008. He filed papers and a Candidate Statement for the November 3, 2009 Election as an "Incumbent". Similarly, his campaign literature and website refer to him as "Incumbent".

However, Election Code 13107 clearly states that only those who were elected by the voters, or who ran unopposed in a prior election, can be called "Incumbent" on the ballot. One who was appointed, and is running for an office for the first time, must call themselves an "Appointed Incumbent".

Election code 13107. (2) The word "incumbent" if the candidate is a candidate for the same office which he or she holds at the time of filing the nomination papers, and was elected to that office by a vote of the people...

4) The phrase "appointed incumbent" if the candidate holds an office other than a judicial office by virtue of appointment, and the candidate is a candidate for election to the same office...In either instance, the candidate may not use the unmodified word "incumbent" or any words designating the office unmodified by the word "appointed."

As such, Mr. Heintz's use of "Incumbent" was clearly in violation of section 4 above, when "Appointed Incumbent" was required to be used.

Pam McVicar, who also was appointed and up for election for the remainder of the term, filed her papers correctly, referring to herself as an "Appointed Incumbent".

The designation is important for Voters. A Voter would assume that an "incumbent" had been previously elected by the people. For an "Appointed Incumbent" to refer to her or himself as an "Incumbent" is misleading to the Voters.

The La Habra Heights Sample Ballot for the November 3rd election was recently released with Jeffrey Heintz shown as "Incumbent". An inquiry was made to the County Recorder's Office, and they determined an investigation was necessary; and is ongoing.

Reprinted with permission from: www.LaHabraHeights.net

Water District Board Wines and Dines at Water Customers Expense

La Habra Heights - On November 3, 2009, there is a La Habra Heights County Water District Election. Incumbent Brad Cooke, appointed member Jeffrey Heintz (also Treasurer of the Improvement Association), and George Edwards, Fire Watch Co-Founder, are Candidates.

Voters must look at the records of the Candidates to judge whom to vote for. A good indicator of fiscal conservatism is how they spend our money when given the opportunity. Board members receive $100 per meeting, including when they attend City Planning Commission and City Council meetings, and allowed to be reimbursed, if they choose, for meals.

Who says there is no free lunch, dinner or drinking binges? Below are actual receipts for meals and drinks at the expense of Water District credit cards etc. This is from a Public Records Request for receipts of meals and drinks submitted by or attended by Jeffrey Heintz and/or Brad Cooke going back only one year. No reimbursement to water distict customers was made by board members.

In contrast, it was reported that when Mr. Edwards was offered lunch and drinks at Water District expense, he chose to pay for the Water District employee, Board Member Brad Cooke, and himself instead.

Editors Note: Due to intensive graphic content of the supporting documentation, readers may choose to go to the following news site to view actual itemized restaurant and hotel receipts obtained from La Habra Heights County Water District.

LINK: Water District Board Wines and Dines at Customer Expense.

EXCLUSIVE!

Link: La Habra Heights Water Board Booze & Feed Receipts

LHHCWD Policy For Director Compensation & Travel Expense Reimbursement (incuding alcohol and meals) PDF.file

Heights Christian Junior High, which has used the former Kling Elementary School since June 2001, may be looking for a new home after this school year.

Closure of Hacienda Road for street improvements is expected to begin Sept. 28 instead of today as was scheduled, City Manager Shauna Clark said.

Jeff Warner at his La Habra Heights home, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. Warner traveled to the Gaza Strip as a part of the 175 Americans in "Viva Palestina USA" to deliver medical and other humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

The Whittier Daily News is seeking local high school students to participate in a weekly student panel that is published every Monday.

Two armed masked men accosted a couple as they were leaving their home in the early morning hours of Oct.

It looks the well-traveled Hacienda Road will have to be closed for about seven weeks for repairs - most likely starting Sept.

La Habra Heights - Four year seats of incumbent Brad Cook and unelected, appointed member Jeffrey Heintz are up, as well as a two year seat for unelected, appointed member Pam McVicar.

Pam McVicar is President of the La Habra Heights Improvement Association. Jeffrey Heintz is Treasurer of the Improvement Association.

The La Habra Heights Improvement Association has been rocked by controversy in recent months. The Improvement Association Vice President was arrested in May, and still in jail, for multiple charges including fraud and identity theft, though the District Attorney has not announced charges related to activity on the Improvement Association.

The Improvement Association stonewalled inquiries about the safety of members' personal information for over a month, finally stating that the Vice President had not had contact with members' financial or personal data.

Each year, the Improvement Association holds board elections at their annual Members Meeting, as was announced in the June Heights Life.

When members arrived at the meeting, the Improvement Association Board announced winners of the election that had been secretly held amongst the board members only. Members were not allowed to vote.

When questioned, President Pam McVicar admitted that they had changed their by-laws, but would not let any Association members see them, saying that only the Board could see them.

Association annual financial reports were typically released and passed out to Improvement Association members at the annual meeting. However, Treasurer Jeffrey Heintz refused to share the financial report with members at the meeting.

The Improvement Association is a 501 (c)3 non-profit, and such organizations are typically forthcoming with financial reports and by-laws so as not to lose non-profit status and to show contributors that funds are used and managed wisely.

Road's Committee Axed on 3-2 Vote.

La Habra Heights - The Public Works Committee was eliminated with a 3-2 vote (Baroldi, Vipperman, Westerhoff) at the July City Council Meeting. This continues the removal of resident scrutiny and involvement, and increases dependence on, and cost of, city government.

The Emergency Preparedness Committee was first to go. This group of trained residents was to be our resource in an emergency, since City Hall is closed most of the time, and in an earthquake, or other event, outside emergency workers, and even city workers may not be able to get here.

Parks and Recreation has changed from a Commission primarily focused on overseeing spending and infrastructure at the Park, to an event planning committee.

A Budget Committee, including residents, was abolished several years ago.

The Roads Committee was established in the mid 1990s to analyze the condition of City streets and develop a program to repair them and for ongoing maintenance.

The Public Works Committee recommended By-Laws following the 2001 Resolution, with a role including review of plans for public works projects and review of spending. Committee members Jerry Shipman and Stephen Blagden told the City Council about the importance of citizen oversight.

Resident John Pearce said we should depend on the City Manager to oversee staff and spending, without interference from residents. (editor- oh yeah that makes sense)

Things became heated in recent months when the Public Works Committee pointed out that the annual Roads Maintenance program was months behind schedule and maintenance funds, voted for and paid by residents in their annual property tax bill, appeared to be diverted to other uses.

Council members Baroldi, Vipperman and Westerhoff did not want to create conflict between city employees and residents on a Commission, and didn't think the Public Works Committee did much.

Council members Stan Carroll (who voted for the Commission in 2001) and Brian Bergman tried to get the others to understand the need for resident oversight.