AROUND TOWN - June 6, 2008

Incumbents win primaries

In a race in which Republican voters far outnumbered Democrats, Tuesday’s primary puts three local incumbents in a position to be reelected in the November presidential contest.

Republican incumbent John Campbell will face Democrat Steve Young and Libertarian Don Patterson in the race for the 48th Congressional District. None of the candidates had any opponents. With all precincts counted, Campbell had 40,457 votes, Young had 18,786 votes and Patterson had 272 votes.

In the 35th State Senatorial district incumbent Republican Tom Harman and Democrat Ginny Mayer were uncontested in their primary races. No other parties fielded candidates in the primary. With all precincts counted, Harman had 50,778 votes to Mayer’s 26,013.

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, also uncontested in the Republican primary for the 70th Assembly District seat, will face Democrat Michael George Glover in November. No other parties had candidates in the primary contest. With all precincts reporting, DeVore had 25,092 votes, while Glover had 12,399.

Ban on expanded polystyrene begins July 1

Laguna Beach is preparing for the July 1 ban on single use expanded polystyrene food containers.

The Water Quality Department will send out a second series of notices to local food establishments, grocery stores, liquor stores and fueling stations reminding them of the ban, City Manager Ken Frank stated in his weekly update to city staff.

Many restaurants and shops have already made the change, Frank wrote.

North Coast Interceptor repairs completed

Repairs are finally complete on the North Coast Interceptor sewer line, which sprang a leak and shut down Coast Highway at Diamond Street for about two days in late April, according to City Manager Ken Frank.

The April 17 raw sewage spill leaked about 58,000 gallons of waste onto more than 1.5 miles of coastline over a five-day period.

The clamp that failed was replaced April 20, Frank wrote in his May 30 weekly update to city staff. In addition, two other clamps — air/vacuum release valve service saddles — were found to be in immediate need of replacing.

Custom-built stainless steel clamp and valve assemblies were installed to replace the aged fittings on Galen Drive and Through Street.

“These devices will provide new life to the system,” Frank stated.