Welcome To La Habra Heights . Net
News, Information & Analysis on the City and the Issues
Established 1999

Still Amazing After 42 Years

New or Increased Tax Calendar for La Habra Heights
June 19,2012 Water Rate Increase 20 - 70% increase over 4 years Board members had said no increase in recent election
June 20, 2012 Road Tax Increase $500-$600 per year Up for vote of parcel owners - currently $173 per year
November 2012 Police Service Tax $300- $500 per year Council has until July to decide if this will be on ballot
November 2012 Lowell Joint Schools up to $30 per $100k Valuation On November Election Ballot if passed
November 2012 State of California 1/2% Sales Tax Increase
March 2014 LHH Fire Tax Approx $600 per year Council has talked of at least $100 increase over current

A Trust Broken: La Habra Heights County Water District Rate Increase - Video

Waste Management to Cease Trash Pick-Up on June 30th
City Council Directs Staff to Mandate Residents to Use Haul-A-Way

May 7th - Lowell Joint Schools $76 Million Estimate for Modernization Revealed by Consultant
Bond Measure to Pay For It Coming in November?

Council Touts Property Value Benefit of Roads Assessment, However State Constitution Article 13D Says
"General enhancement of property value does not constitute "special benefit.""

May 1 - Rowland Water Approves Deal with La Habra Heights Water District to Supply Water.
Says Water Through La Habra Heights is of Regional Importance

New $500+ Per Year Roads Tax
This is on Top of $266 Per Year 70% of Residents are Still Paying for 1997 Project
$10,000 of Your Money to be spent on Marketing Plan to convince you to Vote Yes
Ballots to Be Mailed Just as You Leave for Summer Vacation
Current Tax $173 - Almost 200% Increase
Special Council Meeting - Tuesday, April 24th 5:00 p.m. - See Staff Report

If you Vote "Yes" They Will be Back for New Police Tax and
Increased Fire Tax

Latest News - Citrus Leaves, Branches, etc MUST be double bagged & Put in Trash, NOT Green Waste!

Watch Video of Citrus Disease Town Hall Meeting with Question from your Neighbors answered
Watch Important Video Here 23 minutes long

Quarantine! - La Habra Heights in Quarantine Area for Fatal Citrus Greening Disease - See Map
Citrus Fruit Should Not Leave the Property Where Grown Unless Commercially Cleaned & Packed
See Dept of Food & Agriculture Quarantine Press Release
More Info on Disease -- See Pictures --- Read Whittier Daily News Article on Quarantine --- Read L.A. Times Story

Corruption can leave cities with enormous legal bills - LA Times Article
LHH Ranks #6 of 88 in L.A. County in % of Budget for Legal Costs - Just below #5 Vernon

City Council Offers Phone-In Time For Resident Comment at Council Meetings
Not in LHH, but in Beverly Hills

Council Kill Switch to Shut Off Residents is Back!!
Read DA Letter on Why Muting Residents May be Illegal

Watch April 12th Water Board Meeting on Rate Hike & Wheeling Deal - Here.
Board Pres Won't Let Residents Speak. Attorney Says He Has To

Electric Bills Skyrocket With New Edison Smart Meter - OC Register Story
You Don't Have to Let Them Take Your Old Meter!!

Watch 1st Ever Live Water Board Broadcast - Watch Excerpt
See Board Pres Threaten Resident and Call Concerns Over Leaking New Tank "Farcical, Unbelievable", "Bordering on Crazy". Refers to New Tank as "Almost Perfect"

3 More Secret Committee Members Uncovered!
Are Members Paid by the City?
Faith Grimm, Sue Ferguson & Phil Emery
Will Last 1 Come Forward Before Being Found?
Please Contact Us if You Know

Government Should Not Be Behind Closed Doors

Next to Find Out - What Do They Do?, When & Where Do They Meet?


Jeff Heintz, Cathy Houwen, Newly Found Phil Emery
& Faith Grimm, Sue Ferguson and Greg Stefflre

Did the Mission to Prevent Possible City Council Brown Act Violation
Expose a Second One?
Watch Brief Video of Incident with Sheriff Confronting Cameraman and
Council Members Slipping into Locked Back Room - Link

St. Patrick's Day Raid - One Year Anniversary
Animals Long Gone. City Still Prosecuting

CM Shauna Clark, "The goal of Code Enforcement is compliance." Huh?

An Outsider's Look Inside the Improvement Association - Interesting Off Site Story

Come join us! Meet your local artists. The La Habra Heights Artists and Artisans are preparing for Tapestry 2012! - March 4 - 29th
The opening reception will be held at the La Habra Art Gallery on Saturday, March 17th from 3 to 6pm.
The La Habra Art Gallery is located at 215 N. Orange Street in La Habra - More Info

Councilmember Vipperman Leads Call to Do Nothing About 20 Story Power Lines and Towers Through City
Result was Inaction Due to Failure to Agree on Response
Look For Power Lines Near, or Visible to, You Soon

Breaking News - County Document Links Aera Development to Rowland Harbor Blvd Pipeline!!! - Look

THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES!! - see agenda
City Council to Discuss in Closed Session Thursday March 8th
Real or Ruse? Should you be worried? - Story

L.A. County Approves Plan for 830+ Miles of Bikeways - Story
LHH Goes Other Way with Bikes Banned from Park & City Hall - Story

Rowland Water Districts Wants Agreement Revised so "Breach of Contract" to be if
LHH Water had Surplus Capacity but Didn't Send to Rowland - Story

You Won't See This on East Rd
But "Levitated Mass" Rock Just East of Fullerton Rd & Pathfinder
Last Day Was March 4th

See Attempt to Conduct Interview at Recently Arrested Former Fire Chief's Residence - Link

Breaking - City Accidentally Reveals Another Secret Safety Committee Member, Cathy Houwen!
3 Revealed, 4 to Go - Updated Story

Rowland Water GM "ready to cancel" Water Deal. Says Rowland taking all the risk - see Video
Rowland Water Special Meeting on Deal Monday March 5, 4 p.m.

Former Fire Chief Arrested for Allegedly Sending Suggestive Emails to 15 year old - Off site Story
Background - Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against City Settles for $375,000 - Story

LHH Water Board approves Water Deal with minor revisions at their Feb 28 meeting over resident objections and concerns. Several residents asked to leave due to over capacity - See Video

World Renowned Big Rock, "Levitated Mass", Will be at Buttonwood Av & Pathfinder Rd in Rowland Heights Over Weekend
Biggest Rock Ever Moved in Modern Times. Might Be Worth a Look - Link


Click to Enlarge

New 2 Million Gallon Water Tank Empty Over a Month
Why? Left Open as "Critter Den"?

Views Taken Seriously
5,000 Square Foot Home Demolished for Blocking View & Sunlight in Seaside Community - Story



Sheriff Dept, Montebello Canine, & LHH Fire Marshal Respond to Water Board Meeting

Board President Objects to Camera Placement at Meeting on Rate Increase Study & Wheeling Agreement

Read Story & See Video

Update 8:30 p.m. Montebello PD Lieutenant Emphatically Denies K9 Unit Assisting Sheriff. Said was Executing Search Warrant in Area, but offered thanks for opportunity to comment.

City Abandons Inspection of former Animal-Keeping Property Upon Seeing Camera-Man in the Street!

What is the City trying to hide? - Story and see 4 min Video of retreat

Watch the Matrix Oil Community Meeting that they initially didn't want you to see!! Here

Secret Park & Rec Committee Reportedly Seen Meeting at Marie Callender's January 18th - More to Follow

Roads Committee Member Names go from "State Secret" to Front Page News
as City enters New Tax Phase
Dick Caslow, Bruce Douglas, Ray Fernandez, Kyle Miller, & John Smith

HOSEC Communities Supplying Water to AERA Out the Back Door? - Story

Breaking News! - Two Secret Committee Members Revealed
City Manager Confirms. Jeffrey Heintz, Greg Stefflre - Story

City Hit Hard in draft RHNA Housing Quota: 72 low/moderate income units
In comparison - Malibu 2, PVE 10, Rolling Hills 4, San Marino 2, La Habra 3, Laguna 2
SCAG docs indicate city didn't respond to info requests that could have reduced quota
Who is looking out for us?

Last Chance!!
20 Story Tall Edison Power Lines on January 12th Council Agenda
Make your Voice known if you support or oppose

Warning!! - Edison Going Through Community to Install "Smart" Meters.
You Can Say NO - for now.
New Meters Can Disconnect Power for non-Payment - Story

Just Released City Documents Reveal Faceless Secret Committees Influencing
City Policies, Spending, Fees & Fines on Residents
- Read Documents & Story (updated 12/30)

Draft 2012 SCAG Regional Plan Expects AERA approval
What aren't we being told?
Putting the pieces together - See SCAG Plan-Aera Circled in Red

New City Hall Coming?
Read $20,000 Report on Condition of City Buildings - See Report & Story

Brown Act Violation?
Water Board Continues to Meet after adjournment and departure of Public
A Resident Earlier Asked them, "What are you trying to hide?" - Video

New Taxes & Spending Workshop January 26th, 6:00 p.m. at City Hall

Chino Hills Successful Opposition to 200' high Power Lines in LA Times Story
La Habra Heights City Council continues to do ......... Nothing

Give Thanks!
The City Council makes YOU subsidize 40% of Building Fees, about $90,000
So, when you see a Developer or Builder in town, say "You're Welcome"

New Powerline Despoilation of Powder Canyon Environs Underway - Related Story Below

City of Chino Hills Holds Large Protest Rally & Press Conference Against Power Lines
City of La Habra Heights Does...... Well..... Nothing - Story

Say NO! to new Roads Assessment until Real Resident Oversight Returns, and Council Holds Contractors Accountable for Poor Workmanship

Bike & Skateboard Ban at Park


News You Can Use in City Crackdown On Residents

Listen to the City Attorney Describe When City is Allowed Access to Your Property - from May 2004
WMV | Quicktime

Listen to Mayor Howard Vipperman Propose Helicopter Surveillance of City For Code Enforcement
WMV | Quicktime


City Revs Up Spin Machine In March Heights Life

Hold Onto Your Wallets!



La Habra Heights Improvement Association
Subsidized by Your Property Taxes - Coming Soon


.

Listen Live! - LHH Fire Dept, Fire Watch, Sheriff Dept, LA County Fire Courtesy of Unisat See Live View From La Habra Heights ViewCam

"The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist they may retain control over the instruments they have created."

Preamble to the California Public Records Act

November 2011 Newsletter October 2011 Newsletter March 2011 Newsletter November 2010 Newsletter July 2010 Newsletter
May 2010 Newsletter February 2010 Newsletter December 2009 Newsletter November 2009 Newsletter See October 2009 Newsletter


Quick Links

City Council Minutes 1998-2010

City Council Minutes - See the minutes for past meetings 1998 - 2009

Note: Detailed City Council minute were discontinued in Dec 2008, over residents objections.

Planning Commission Minutes 1998-2010

Planning Commission Minutes - Minutes for 1998-2010


Recent Issues

Long Time Residents Ensnared in Council "Weed Abatement" Crackdown
Note: "Weed" abatement includes weeds, trees, vehicles, code violations
in buildings, & other things you wouldn't expect - Aug 2011 More


50+ year resident gets Violation Notice about compost piles even though General Plan says to encourage composting and Council said compost was OK - July 2011 More Details


You Can't Win. 40+ year Resident reports lower tree branches cut to meet Weed Abatement dictates, then gets Violation Notice because RV is now visible!! Aug 2011 Read more


Roadside Clearance Mystery Deepens
What is it For? Arbitrary Enforcement? - Aug 2011 Story


Weed Abatement Horror Stories - Here
Keep Sending Them to Us. It will encourage your neighbors to Speak Up for change. July 2011


Be sure and keep your house and yard clean, City could forcibly invade without notice any time.
Read chilling Search Warrant, recently executed, for powers the city has.
March 2011


Developing Story - City Codes Require Residents to Have Mulch
as Fire Chief Bans it. Residents Confused? June 2011 - Story


City Council Comes Down HARD on Community Under Guise of "Weed Abatement"
Special Meeting Reveals Wood Mulch Banned. A Property in Compliance Today May Fail Tomorrow -June 2011 Read


Story"Undercover Chief" May 2011 - See the Fire Chief's $48k Unmarked City Vehicle


3 Acre +/- Brush Fire Burns Hill above Leucadia Dr on May 5, 2011
Story, Pictures & Video


City Council Votes to Disband Parks & Rec at Special Meeting on
April 14, 2011 - Story


Parks & Rec Votes to Disband at Special April 12, 2011 Meeting - Story

With Property Valuations Falling, a Shrinking Population, City Reserves Used for Basic Services, Residents Forced to Subsidize Developers, a Council "War on Animal Keeping" and a Crackdown on Residents,
Will the New Council be able to Turn it Around?


Whittier Daily News gives La Habra Heights City Website a Grade of "D" March 2011- See Article


City Releases 2011 Election Precinct Map Two Days After Election
Better Late Than Never? See it Here


2011 Election News Final Results

Roy Francis 617
Howard Vipperman 598
Larry Black 518
Phil Lough 423

Congratulations to Roy Francis
& Howard Vipperman
Thanks to All the Candidates for Running


Improvement Association Attacks Resident at Annual Public Meeting; Sheriffs Respond - See All Stories.


Updated Dec 13 2010 - Just Released Federal Documents raise questions of City Council
Reduction of Fire Service & Upcoming Tax increases
"The City is laboring under increasing revenue shortfalls, and having to draw from reserves just to provide basic city services." - Story


At January CC meeting City Manager Shauna Clark said Code Enforcement hearing tape would be released to the public. City now says NO! Jan 2011


City Council Breaks Law - Sidelines Planning Commission
Redevelopment Agenda Proceeds Unhindered - Story


See 20 Years of LHH Assessed Property Values (as mentioned in November 2010 Newsletter)


Barber, Hinz & Shackelford Win Lowell Joint School Board 2010 Election- Results


City Breaks the Law AGAIN
State Says City 2008 Adopted Amendments to State Building and Grading Codes "Illegal and Unenforceable"


Exclusive Interview - Assessor's Office Says $73M Decline in Assessed Property Values "Not a Mistake"


Breaking News - Residents Staggered by Vipperman-Baroldi Record $73 million Property Value Decline. City Manager Says Assessor Made a Mistake - Story Sep 10


City Property Values Decline by Most Amount in History
Council Code Changes & Laissez Faire Development Hit Property Values
Heights Is Number 7 in Property Value Decline in L.A. County after Compton & Inglewood - Story Sep 10


Council Crackdown Hits Disabled Kids
Golf Carts before People - Story Sep 10


KFI Tower Nightime White Strobe Lights are Temporary While Red is Being Repaired Sep 2010- Story


New City Hall Expansion Plans Hide Staff from Residents, Wastes Your Money - Aug 2010 Story


"Black Ops" City Council Meeting - Have there been others? May 2010 Story


State Rejects City Low Income Housing Plan - They want Sewers Installed, Timeline, and more Apr 10- See the State Letter Here


Recent Federal Filing Suggests Improvement Association a PAC? May 10 story


New Fire Dormitory on Shaky Ground? May 10 - Story


Fire Department Protection Rating Falls Under Council Redevelopment Focus Apr 10 - story here


The Manure Hits the Council's "War on Animal Keeping" June 2010 - Story


No Relief - Crackdown on Public Comment increases under Mayor Baroldi May 2010- Story


Details for Newsletter "Creative Accounting for Fire Tax" Story May 2010- Here


Council Approves $31,000 "Giveaway" to Road Contractor & $2,700 for La-Z-Boys, then Calls for Multiple Tax Increases April 2010 - Story


Protest Against Council's Revelopment Agenda's "War on Animal Keeping" - See Flyer
May 2010


Code Changes to Increase Building & Foster Redevelopment with 2nd units and high density housing

Approved at City Council Meeting
November 12, 2009.


Longtime Resident and Community Leader Margarita McCoy Blasts Proposed Code Changes

"Why the hell are we doing this!"


3 minutes long
See Quicktime or Windows


Dog Days of Summer

A Great Day of Fun & Activities - see here
August 1, 2009


Uncommon Bird Visits the Heights, June 2009


Blackthroated MagpieJay


Avocado Festival 2009


Saturday May 16, 2009


Spring 2009

La Habra Heights in Springtime


New Strategy to Bring Urban Estates to the Heights?

Ray Fernandez echoes National Association of Homebuilders 2008 "Threat" Letter to the City


City Council Votes Against Open Space
Reducing Property Values and Saleability As
National Park Service Wants to Include Parts of LHH in National Recreational Area- Oct 11
Water Board Election Results - November 8th
Candidate Vote by Mail In Person Hand in & Late VBM Nov 18 Update Total
Judy Hathaway-Francis 112 169 41 3 325
Pam McVicar 406 319 61 15 801
Mark Perumean 383 312 48 15 758
Robert Wilson 408 290 60 12 770

Would the Easter Bunny Approve?
LHHIA website link gives residents a shocking sight, unsuitable for young eyes
Is this negligence or desperation for new members?
See other's comments, or add your own, on Topix
Link finally fixed 8/18/11


City Responds to Residents' Concerns with new Draft Fire Clearance Guidelines
Update: July 5 2011 - City Wants YOUR comments on them - Story

Read a great letter from Heights Residents to City Council -here
Everyone needs to participate to end the over-reaching weed abatement

La Habra Heights Fire Watch Takes on City Weed Abatement Program -June 2011 Story
City of Malibu, somewhat familiar with Fire, Gives Mulch Away FREE to Residents as part of Brush Program June 2011- Read Here

See List of About 130 Residences with Roadside Clearance Violations in January 2011


See 2011-12 Sheriff Contract. Service Cut to about 15 Hours Per Day - Story
Back Room Discussion with Sheriff Dept Averted. Sheriff Service Slashed. Story Sep 2011

Council Demands Roadside Vegetation Devoid "Moonscape"
Sheriff Dept Service Cuts Finance Additional "Weed Abatement" Personnel -Aug 2011 Story


Council Votes that Residents Must Subsidize Builders with $80,000 per year so
City can get $900 per year in additional taxes. Crazy? You decide - Sep 2011 Story


City Spending Binge Unabated
Cuts to Sheriff Service to Finance Latest Buys - Aug 2011 Story


"They're Back....."
Parks and Rec Resurfaces after supposed Disbandment - July 2011 Story


"The City Council is trying to make La Habra Heights "Irvine North" and we do not want that. Do you hear us City Council?" - June 2011 Link


Crackdown Seige on Residents does not rest even after Council tells Staff to give residents more time
"We just received a Roadside Clearance letter that gives us one week to comply or be fined. I hope no one plans on going on vacation this summer for more than a few days.." - August 2011 Story


Roadside Clearance & Entire Lot Clearance Remain as Major Issues -July 2011 Story


What is City Trying to Hide?
Public & Press Asked to Leave Immediately After Meetings - May 2011 Story


See the City Council describe what they are looking for in Roadside Clearance from April 2009

WMV | Quicktime


See City Notice of Roadside Violation


City Reveals "Sgt. Schultz" Type Code Enforcement Policy
"I See Nothing!" - May 2011 Story
2011 Car Show Builds on Success May 2011 Story & Pictures
Contractor says Undergrounding Utilities on Hacienda Rd. for New City Hall
starts April 13th and will take 6 to 7 weeks.
Update 4/12/11: Contractor Now Says "I don't know" why Undergrounding is being done.
See City Animal Farm Raid Photo Album - Here
RAID!! - Council Sends 3 Sheriff Cars & Staff Phalanx to Execute Search Warrant on Heights Animal Keeping Family - March 2011 See Story, Pictures & Warrant
City Manager Contradicts Federal Grant Application - March 2011 Story
Park Grounds Damaged by Weekend Event - Story
Update March 31, 2011 - Renter to Pay for Damages

City Gets 10" +/- of Rain Dec 2010
Skyline Drive between Sharpless Dr & Sharpless Ct. Closed Due to Collapse.
Workmanship or Design Problems Suspected. Story

Back to the Future - Automatic Aid Agreement Negotiations - Story Nov 2010
Council Postpones Mid-Year Budget Review Until March - After Election
Usually Held in January or February - Attempt to Protect Incumbents from Bad News?
City Council Sends "Crackdown Posse" to Prevent Public & Press from attending Hearing on
Code Enforcement Action Against City Council Candidate Phil Lough Dec 2010 - Story

Video Press Blackout of Council Candidates Forum Lifted after ACLU hits City with Letter Citing 1st Amendment Issues as
City Again Attempts to Shut Out Unfavored News Media - Story Mar 11
LHH Just Like Bell - Round 3
Council Imposed Illegal Fire Tax Increase Two Years in a Row - Story


State Controller Auditing City of Bell
Should La Habra Heights have an Audit too? - Story Oct 10
La Habra Heights Staff Salaries - Exclusive- Story Sep 10
Stonewalling Public Records Requests, including salary info - Another similarity between Bell and La Habra Heights - LA Times Story
Bell type government in La Habra Heights?
Part-time (less than 20 hours week) Fire Chief $100k, 6,000 resident community with $200k City Manager, Councilmember gets gold jewelry on residents dime, and Council gives Road Contractor extra $31k Sep 10
Stonewalling Public Records Requests is Illegal
Immediate Access Required, No need to give your name, fill out forms, or pay for searching - Aug 2010 Read Here
City Council Redevelopment Agenda - Phase II
"Residents Will Have to Pay Higher Taxes and Get Less Service to Subsidize Developers & Builders" - May 10 Story
Children Risk Arrest to Attend City Council Animal Keeping Hearing Apr 10- Story
LHHIA MIA in Struggle to Preserve Animal Keeping in the Heights- Apr 10
Winners and Losers in City Council Urban Estate Redevelopment Agenda - May 10 Story
Sheriff's Deputy Stationed at Planning Commission Meeting as Residents Protest Crackdown on Animal Keeping Apr 10- Story
Proposed Trash Tax Contrary to City Study - Gag Order Imposed on Trash Companies Apr 10 - Story
Assembly Bill to Exempt LHH From Housing Quota Fails - Listen to Hearing Here (29 minutes) -Vipperman Testifies Mar 10
Council Proposes Up To $700 per Residence in New or Increased Taxes Mar 10
Online Poll Indicates Almost 3-1 Opposition - See Poll and Vote
A Broken Trust
As the Council Considers Raising Taxes, Residents Consider Their Record
May 8, 2010 Car Show Pictures - Here
La Habra Heights Improvement Association Former Vice President Convicted and Sentenced - Mar 2010 Story

Market Day April 2010
Mayor Vipperman Spends $20,000 to Sue Residents - Story Feb 2010
La Habra Heights Residents to Celebrate "Freedom Day" April 8 - End of Vipperman Dictatorship - See Vipperman Chronicles
Layne Baroldi is subject of Orange County Register Travel Expense Article Mar 2010 - Story
Exclusive - Sexual Harrassment/Termination/Pay Lawsuit against
City Settles for $375,000 Feb 2010 - Story
Los Angeles Times Story about undue influence in Planning Department Feb 2010 - Story
Mayor Vipperman Proposes Aerial Surveillance of Residences for
Code Enforcement, Weed Abatement, Observing, etc
Other Council Members Appear Baffled Jan 2010
Fire! Above Construction Site on Hacienda, Spreads up Hill toward Panchoy
5 Acres Burn 11/23/09 - Pictures and Video
Brad Cooke & Jeff Heintz Win Water Board Election - See Results
Large Turnout - Gap Between Heintz and Edwards Narrowed to 25 votes in Late Returns
Council Approves Commercial Facilty 3-2
August 2009
Majority 3 Vote Against the Community; More concerned with Tower Owner Profit
25 Story Tall Antenna Owner Gets CUP for Commerical Tower

2004 Agreement called for tower removal this year. Important Story details here.

Fire Tax Exceeds Voter Approved Maximum for Second Year in a RowNo Public Comment Allowed
Board Takes Improvement Association Out of Members' Control

Members Now Play No Role Other than Paying Dues

Focus of Improvement Association VP arrest story shifts to LHHIA
Read here

La Habra Heights Improvement Association
Vice-President Arrested on charges including Identity Theft & Forgery
See Story on Topix
Recent Planning Approvals have resulted in Resident's losing views and property rights described in the General Plan.
New City Seal?
New Planning Commissioners Appointed
Dominic DiMario
Ray Fernandez
Judy Stefflre

November 4, 2008 LHH Election Results

In the Red, Water Board meets at private Hacienda Country Club to Discuss Water Trafficking Deal Finances - Meeting Minutes Oct 2011


Whittier Daily News Article on Water Board Election - Here
Proposed water deal separates challenger from incumbents Oct 2011


Just Released Reports Indicate Insufficient Water to Supply Proposed Deal - story Oct 2011


Watch Video of Very Informative Water District Forum on Proposed Water Trafficking
Hear Panelist Invoke Homeland Security Law to Not Answer Questions on Capacity, etc - Here Oct 2011



Council to give City Manager iPad & City Vehicle in New Contract
See Side by Side Comparison of Old & New Contract - Here Oct 2011


Water Board Balances Budget with Unsigned, Controversial Trafficking Deal
An Election Year Ploy to Stall Raising Rates? Story Oct 2011


Just Released! Read Draft Water Trafficking Agreement - Here
Story to Follow Oct 2011


Water Board Pres Says, "Aera Dead"
Aera Says, "We're Very Much Alive!" - Story Sept 2011


Update: Wheeling & Dealing on the Water Board.
At What Cost to Water Users? - Story
Water Board Meeting Tuesday September 27, 2011 4 p.m.


City Rearranges Fire Dept Pay to Fund Fire Marshal - Story Sept 2011


Developing Story: La Habra Heights Water District Explores Water Trafficking Deal with Rowland Heights - Story Sept 2011


Improvement Association's Heights Life Prints Discredited & Dangerous
"Triangle of Life" Earthquake Response - Why?Aug 2011


Did LHHIA take idea from City Council or Vice Versa?
New LHHIA By-Laws posted
Do you give up your 1st Amendment Free Speech Rights when you are a member?
Malign LHHIA Board or Assocation & you are subject to expulsion -.July 2011
Receiving Thousands of Public Tax Dollars a Year
Improvement Association Closes Doors to Public at Annual Meeting
Probably Better than Inviting Public, then Attacking Them As Happened 1 Year Ago Today - June 2011 National Story

Improvement Association 'Peeps' get raided!
County Issues Notices of Violation- Story
Crackdown on Residents Escalates in Final Days of Baroldi Administration
Raid!, Kill Switch and Blackout of Public Comments - March 2011 Story
2010 US Census shows Heights population fell 387 people to 5325- See Stats
Most of Decline in Children - See Stories Below for Council Actions Against Kids
LHHIA Improvement Association Makes National News
Caught in a Lie?- Story
Update: City Manager Responds
Anonymous Packages Sent to Local News Editors - Investigation Underway
Improvement Association Connection? - Story Dec 2010
Whittier Daily News Story on Expensive City Business Cards
Symptom of Wasteful Spending
In LHH Hundred$ Spent on Fancy Gold Embossed Cards for Staff & Council

City Edits Lowell Joint School Board Candidates Forum Broadcast - Election Tampering? Oct 10
Recommendations for Lowell Joint School Board - Here
Oct 10
Officials Arraigned for Wining & Dining On the Public Dime
"La Habra Heights Water District Board Deja Vu" - Story Oct 10
Banned in La Habra Heights!!
Mayor Calls for Criticism of City Manager to be "Off Camera" Story Oct 10
See League of Women Voters - Lowell Joint School Board Candidates' Debate to - Cable Broadcast in the Works Oct 10 - See Webcast- Updated Story
"Skids Greased" for Mayor's 3 Level Addition - Procedures Waved?
See Pictures from the 2010 Avocado Festival - here
Follow-Up Improvement Association Story - "That is definitely Mail Fraud."- Nov 09
Contributors to Improvement Association at Risk - Organization May Not Be as Claimed - Oct 09
Water District Board Wines and Dines at Your Expense - Story Here
Follow-up - 40 More Pages of Water Board Hotels & Meals, including $1000 Weekend in Long Beach - Story here
Hacienda Closure an Awakening for All October 2009
Investigation - Water Board Candidate Jeffrey Heintz Under Investigation by L.A. County Recorder for Ballot Designation - Too Late to Change - Update: October 7th

Too Close for Comfort?

Improvement Association, City Council, & Water Board Axis of Influence?


Commissoner Ray Fernandez states checking plans for Code compliance is
"Above My Pay Grade"Commission also votes 3-2 to allow a Fire Hydrant to be behind a private gate. Aug 09
Story here


Crackdown Escalates
New City Policy:
Residents prohibited from submitting correspondence to Planning Commission Prior to Meeting
Serious concerns of legality

Park Trail & Parking Area Dedication

August 19, 2009
Crackdown Continues
Bike Ban at Park Passed
August 13 Council Meeting


Don't Cross the Improvement Association?


Water District Board Election November 3, 2009
All Elected Offices are important for Voters to become educated about candidates and issues.

See Candidate Statements


Vipperman Files Papers Initiating 2011 Re-Election Effort - July 09

Announces intent to run again at August 13, 2009 CC Meeting


Back to the Future

Residents Suffering Again Under Planning Process

Commissioner Ray Fernandez Says That Residents should defend themselves against excessive runoff from new development.
Commissioner McCoy "shocked"

See Story and Video here


Council Majority 3 Unhappy With Simple "Call for Review" Process to Correct Planning Approval Errors which violate Residents' Property Rights.

Will They Change it to Protect Builders?


Vipperman Chronicles

News Stories about the Outrages & Exploits of Mayor Vipperman moved here


City Council Axes Public Works Committee 3-2

In Another Blow to Citizen Oversight of City Spending

July 2009



Power Line Expansion Through the City and Powder Canyon

Last Chance to Do Anything. Deadline for Comments to Draft EIR April 6, 2009

Quiet Overhead

Have you noticed that the planes inbound to LAX are much quieter than they used to be?

That is because they are silently gliding in now, not descending and repowering in steps.

Read the story in the February 28, 2009 Los Angeles Times

City Council Election

March 3, 2009 Results

Congratulations to

Stan Carroll

Brian Bergman

Carl Westerhoff

Plans for Harbor Blvd to be widened to 6 lanes, with Bus Route.

What Did City Officials Know?

Council Unanimously passes opposition Resolution at Jan 15 Meeting!

Fire Tax Increase Double That Allowed by Codes

What do residents think about $25,000 overcharge?

Fires Burn November 15th
in Brea, Yorba Linda

Vehicle is Likely Cause

Hacienda Rd not closed to reduce Fire Danger

City Committees in Limbo

Council passes Handbook at Feb 09 meeting.

Update July 09
All Commissions abolished except Parks & Rec, which changed from an oversight committee to event planning, chaired by Mayor's wife

Residents Seek Solutions To Reduce Hacienda Traffic
View Protection Under Attack A Simple Way to Prevent the Most Likely Wildfire

Public Records Requests City Council Meetings Broadcast Live on Internet Starting November 13 Effective "Poll Tax" on City Council Candidates?

Invasive & Unwanted Vegetation


A Special Place & Special People

La Habra Heights is defined by the rural environment, lack of street lights, and low density.

La Habra Heights residents have vigorously and successfully defended our community against threats to our rural environment from within and adjacent to our community.

Residents have fought off high density housing, the 39 Freeway, condos in the hills of Whittier, development in Powder Canyon, the widening of Hacienda Blvd. and many others over the years.

As stated by a prominent resident, one of the most insidious and damaging threats is the one by one exceptions and variances to our Zoning Code which slowly, but surely, erodes the rural environment and quality of life.

Those interested in the history of the City can borrow the tape or DVD "The Story of La Habra Heights" at City Hall.


 "Beware of those who tout "individual property rights"

"Beware of those who tout "individual property rights" because that usually translates into"let's destroy the zoning and make this place look like the rest Los Angeles County". Experience has taught me that those people usually want no controls on their development, but want to tell everyone else what to do."

The first part of the Mayor's column written for the April 1990 Heights Life, by the outgoing four time mayor, who was instrumental in the founding of the City.

This was read into the public record by Julia Higgs at the August 12, 2002 GPAC Town Hall Meeting

 

MAYOR'S COLUMN

THE BATTLE IS NEVER OVER

Time and people have been kind to La Habra Heights. Always, it has seemed that we are in the right place at the right time to save this special place from high density development and preserve it for future generations. One needs only to look at Hacienda Heights to the north or the newly emerging Shea development in Rowland Heights to the east to understand why we became a city. This hillside village is too beautiful to allow it to go the way of neighboring communities.

 

The battle to preserve La Habra Heights will continue. I remember turning to James Littlejohn when we had just won the incorporation struggle and saying, 'It's over, La Habra Heights is safe!." and James replied, "It will never he over, Jean, as long as there is money to be made here." And he was right! Often, people appear in front of the Council saying, "I love this community. I want to keep it the way it is - except for my home which I am going to build four stories high, in a stream bed, and by the way I am going to have to exceed the grading ordinance by 100%, and I would like to run an asphalt plant in the backyard- but I want to keep La Habra Heights the way it is"

 

Well, take it from an old mayor, you can't have it both ways my friends. Either you maintain your strict standards for development or you lose it all. The most beautiful communities in California; Santa Barbara, Rancho Santa Fe, Rolling Hills, etc., all have strict development standards. Beware of those who tout "individual property rights" because that usually translates into"let's destroy the zoning and make this place look like the rest Los Angeles County". Experience has taught me that those people usually want no controls on their development, but want to tell everyone else what to do. The future of this community depends upon you. It is your choice to make. But, I can assure you, I will always be there when I feel the community we first envisioned is in trouble...................


 


Republic

Our Country is a "republic", from Latin "res publica" - public thing.

It is up to each of us to learn about what your governments are doing, and be involved.

It is important for everyone to know their rights to participate in and find out about their governments activities. Find out the facts:

The Brown Act, also known as the "Open Meeting Law" or Anti-Corruption Act

The Public Records Act, another good Records Act link

"The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist they may retain control over the instruments they have created."

Preamble to the California Public Records Act


As James Madison, author of the Bill of Rights, said,

"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governers must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a tragedy or a farce, or perhaps both."


Find out what happened today in U.S. History - A Library of Congress site


Why does this even matter?.........Read these

The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution of the United States

The Bill of Rights - the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

The Federalist Papers



There's A Lot Going On In Town - You Need To Get Involved To Preserve Our Rural Environment

Don't Take It For Granted Or We Will Lose It


Note: Links to Off-Site locations may become defunct or change content. This is not within our control. Please notify us if you find one. Webmaster

 

Site Search

Search this Site with PicoSearch


See the Wonderful Video "Story of La Habra Heights", telling the story that our rural oasis was hard fought for, and residents must continue to fight to protect it. Also available as a FREE DVD.

Be Inspired. Get Involved.


Does it snow in La Habra Heights?

Development vs. Over-development

GPAC Community Survey Results

City's Original General Plan

Lost Animal Network - Call 691-1920 if you lost an animal or found a lost one.

Phone Numbers
City Hall 694-6302
Fire Dept 694-8283
Water District 697-6769
Sheriff 694-5923
Lost Animal Network 691-1920
Gas Leak 800-427-2200
Edison Emergency 800-611-1911
Time Warner Cable 888-892-2253
Park Ranger 698-1446
Fish & Game 888-334-2258
To Report Illegal Grading or Building on Fridays & Weekends 694-5923
Waste Management Trash 626-960-7551
Haulway 323-721-0371
La Habra Post Office 714-992-0580



La Habra Journal 90631
News about La Habra & LHH

Back to the Future

Find out why LHH incorporated. In the 1990s, a publication called "The Sentinel" was the place for news and information about the Heights. Many of the issues are pertinent again today, as we face the same threats to our rural environment.
Read the Sentinel Articles here.

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From 1999-2003, Heights Town News published in-depth, researched articles on City issues, and news of interest to the community.

Read past Heights Town News Articles here


The History Of La Habra Heights Has Long Been Intertwined With The Avocado

An early version of the symbol for the city was the avocado

History Of The Avocado
Avocado Recipes
The Remarkable Avocado Flower
Avocado Fertilization
How To Prune An Avocado
Avocados In The Heights - 1972 (good reading, even in 2009)
The Original Haas Avocado Tree On West Rd.
Interesting Avocado Story from "The Vancouver Sun"


Find out about the original "Roads Project" from the City publication "Top of the Heights" that describe them.

This was a 5 year long project to restore the roads that ended in 2001.

We now pay the annual "Roads Assessment" to keep the roads maintained.


See More La Habra Heights controversies at www.theavocadoexpress.com

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Find Low Gas Prices at:

www.lhhfirewatch.com

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See the 2007 Los Angeles Times Article about
La Habra Heights


See the 1990 Los Angeles Times Article about La Habra Heights