The controversy surrounding Irvine's new "Sister City" relationship with Communist officials in Shanghai and the bizarre snub of democratic Taiwan began with numerous "irregularies," including breaches of protocol, "odd" outside influences and possible "deliberate deception," according to a June 21 memo obtained by the Weekly.
Written by Sister Cities Foundation president James E. Dunning, the three-page document outlines how Henry King, the Shanghai-native husband of Councilman Larry Agran'
Steven Choi: unsatisfied
Down four members, the Orange County Great Park Corporation Board of Directors voted 4-1 today to recommend the Irvine City Council spend $285,560 for a private fundraising consultant. That's for one year, and the chosen firm is not expected to actually raise any funds during those 12 months.
Instead, Chora, LLC will create a list of 100 potential funders who'd chip in for the $22 million the corporation hopes to raise for new amenities around the Great Park's 27.5-ac
Dear Joe the Plumber,
As you well know, you have unplugged many a drain at Casa de Coker over the years and sooner or later you'll be handling that bathroom remodel we talked about years ago. But first, I have a favor. I have started a petition drive where signees will let my bosses know what a good job I'm doing for my reader(s). Yes, I do want your signature, but I also need $5 to help pay for the gathering of more signatures.
The importance of this petition drive is spelled out in a fake ne
The Irvine Sister City Foundation--which has helped make Irvine a truly international city thanks to successful partnerships with with Tsukuba, Japan, Hermosillo, Mexico, and Taoyuan, Taiwan--voted to dissolve last night. Despite the denials of Irvine Mayor Suhkee Kang, an Irvine City Council colleague blames the nonproft's demise on "political pay back"--from her own city council.
"This is a travesty. A political carving out . . . a tossing aside of an outstanding volunteer
