A new mayor. A new Assembly representative. For that matter, a new queen.
Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley have plenty of things to anticipate in 2012 —and leadership is only part of the picture. Here are stories to watch for in the coming months:
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Pacific sees land ahead
For years, the site intended for Pacific City has looked more like a ghost town than a city. But the long-dormant project may finally see progress in 2012 under a new owner.
Crescent Heights, a Florida-based company, replaced Pacific City's previous developer last summer. The company has also pledged to pay about $22 million for the construction of a new senior center in Huntington Central Park, per the city's agreement with the original developer, Makar Properties.
The City Council approved Pacific City, which would feature a hotel, condominiums and businesses on a 30-acre parcel, in 2004. Crescent Heights spokesman Steve Afriat said the company is still running numbers on the project to determine whether it will make changes in scope or cost.
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Harper runs for Assembly
Huntington Beach Councilman Matthew Harper is running for the newly created 72nd Assembly District. The councilman, who works as the public affairs manager at the county's waste and recycling department, has racked up endorsements from Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Orange County Young Republicans, among others.
If elected, he would leave his seat before completing his term on the council and someone would have to be appointed to serve out his term.
Councilman Joe Carchio had said he was thinking about running for the same seat, but Orange County Registrar of Voters records showed that he was not qualified because he lives outside the district boundaries.
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Five enter council race
Five candidates have so far expressed interest in running for Huntington Beach City Council. Councilman Devin Dwyer, the only incumbent, has also announced he's running for a second term. Councilman Keith Bohr will be termed out.
Realtor and retired Boeing executive Bruce Brandt Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Jim Katapodis, Planning Commissioners Tim Ryan and Blair Farley, and small-business owner Dan Kalmick have also filed their intentions to run.
All candidates must return nomination papers to the City Clerk's office by Aug. 10 to appear on the November ballot.
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Dekraai goes to trial
