LOS ALAMITOS

After a long debate, the City Council on Monday voted 3 to 2 against renaming a portion of Sausalito Street to honor a longtime community business leader. Councilman Arthur DeBolt led off the opposition, citing the inconveniences business owners would face if the council decided to honor George Briggeman Sr. through the name change. Business owner Ronald Robertson estimated that the direct costs required to change the street name on all of his materials at $50,000. Businessman Bill Burch estimated he would incur at least $30,000 in expenses and suggested an alternative be found to recognize Briggeman for his service to the community over the last 40 years.

Council members Charles E. Sylvia and Ronald Bates argued that street names are changed frequently in other cities and that Los Alamitos should not be an exception. Mayor Marilynn M. Poe and Councilwoman Alice Jempsa agreed with DeBolt that Briggeman should be honored in another manner, perhaps by naming a pool after him. The majority suggested that staff find another way to honor Briggeman.