New guide publisher expected next month

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The Huntington Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau

is expected to choose a new publisher for its annual visitors guide early

next month.

The bureau’s 12-member board of directors is expected to meet Nov. 7

to hear presentations from six publishing companies, a group that

includes Costa Mesa’s Where Magazine and Century Publishing -- which has

produced the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce Business Directory --

and Air Quality Consultants Inc., owned by Jeff Laird.

“I’m really surprised to see his [Jeff Laird’s] company listed as one

of the potentials,” said Diane Baker, the bureau’s executive director.

Laird’s company “is part of Coatings Resource Corp., and we had to cancel

our publishing contract with them.”

Last month, the bureau’s board of directors terminated its deal with

Coatings Resource on the recommendation of the City Council and City

Atty. Gail Hutton, who cited a potential conflict of interest with Mayor

Dave Garofalo. Garofalo published the guide for several years, beginning

in 1993, and may have profited from the city contract.

Although the mayor sold his publishing business to Ed Laird, Jeff

Laird’s father, in 1998, he was kept on as a consultant. The business was

later turned over to Jeff Laird, who was not available for comment

Tuesday.

Baker said all companies who met the bureau’s requirements for the

guide will be allowed to present their case to the board, and a decision

will be reached that same day.

While the search for a publisher has pushed back the guide’s release

from Dec. 31 to March, city officials said the booklet is crucial to

getting the word out about Huntington Beach.

“It does a couple of things really,” said Rich Barnard, city

spokesman. “First, it serves as a referral for tourists trying to plan a

trip to the area because it describes what we have here, and it also

contains information on dining and activities, and is good for the entire

year.”

The visitors bureau is funded 100% by the city, though the guide is

produced with advertising revenue.