by
Stan Cohen
for

February 20

Huntington Beach Council member Shirley Dettloff said it
best. "Today, a 25 year dream became reality." Last week, amid
cheers and tears, all the people of California were the winners
as the State Lands Commission took over 905 acres in the Bolsa
Chica and declared the land, "wetlands in perpetuity"! And with
the wetlands firmly in our hands, should we even think about
"retrieving" the rest of the Bolsa Chica?...

I think it's nice to see an old couple, in their seventies,
walking hand-in-hand around Fountain Valley's Mile Square Park...

Recently, Pat and I went to the Central Library for a fund-
raiser "The Taste of Huntington Beach". What fun! What great
food! We met a "traveling chef" who, for a fee, will create 10
gourmet meals in your home. He will bring all the groceries and
utensils he will need; all he asks is the use of your kitchen.
Page this personal chef at 748-2515 for more details...

I still can't get used to people talking on cell phones in
supermarkets, at basketball games and in public bathrooms...

In reading the Financial Campaign Statements for November,
and December, 1996, I came across some interesting information.
"Huntington Beach Taxpayers for Responsible Government" - "A
Committee of HB Business Leaders, Residents, Housing Providers
and the Manufactured Housing Industry", spent $10,300 for a
mailer in support of Thom Doney and Pam Julien. Who were these
people?...

Also, the Huntington Beach Fireman's Association spent over
$23,000 opposing Tom Harman and Dave Sullivan by sending out
mailers, posting signs and even flying an airplane banner that
read, "Don't vote for Sullivan and Harman for City Council!"
Almost $100,000 was spent to defeat those two. What a waste!...

Last year, Pat bought me Levi's to wear when I'm relaxed and
not doing anything important. Now she says that I wear the
Levi's too often because I relax to much and never do enough
important things around the house. I never win...

My "Cohen's Kernel" for this week is: ...the IRS allows 31
cents per mile for your business mileage. If your employer gives
you MORE than 31 cents per business mile, add the difference to
your gross income. If your employer pays you LESS than 31 cents,
claim the difference as a miscellaneous deduction...

Recently, I bought a new car and I can't figure out what is
more dangerous; allowing my wife to drive the new car or telling
her she can't drive the new car...

I agree with Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva when he
suggests Supervisors pay be tied to another state officer so he
and other supervisors don't unfairly raise their own pay.
However, I suggest it NOT be tied to a public official's salary
but to the average Orange County EMPLOYEE'S salary. For example,
if the average employee in this county receives $43,500 per year
then the Supervisors should receive 200 percent of that or
$87,000. If the average salary goes up, the supervisors salary
should go up; and so on...

Wasn't it refreshing for the National Football League (NFL)
to have the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl. It was nice to
see a team that loves each other as well as all their fans, win.
Last time she was in Las Vegas, my doctor daughter from Durham
bought a winning ticket on the Packers. Hope she shares her
winnings with her poor Dad...

Just before his retirement, I spoke with Roger Stanton,
former Orange County Supervisor, who assured me he was through
with politics. Now, it looks like he is thinking of running for
the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction. I guess
politics, like some OTHER diseases, gets into your blood and you
never can get them out...