DOLE DOWN: Welfare numbers are soaring statewide,...
DOLE DOWN: Welfare numbers are soaring statewide, and some of the fastest growth has been in Orange County, where child welfare recipients have doubled since 1988. Who are these people? County financial assistance director Angelo Doti says: “The average welfare family is made up of a mother with two children.” . . . But they’ll soon be getting less under Gov. Pete Wilson’s reform plan--a 2.7% reduction in welfare payments, the fourth cut in the past two years.
BIRD REIGN: Wild comedian Gallagher was a huge hit at the county fair last month. He also had good luck here last week when a jury took his side against a woman who says he injured her with his penguin doll during one routine. So you can bet Gallagher likes an Orange County audience: He brings his act to Knott’s Berry Farm--yes, with his penguin--on Sept. 4 and 5. In fact, Knott’s plans to capitalize on the incident. It will have an oversized version of the penguin at the front entrance that Labor Day weekend.
SWEET SUCCESS: With Knott’s Berry Farm recently forced into more layoffs because of budget problems, it welcomes some good news: the Wall Street Journal this week touted it for having one of the most successful gourmet foods on the market. Knott’s Berry Farm jams the past year totaled $12.8 million, a 7% increase. . . . If you’re wondering what was listed as the top seller among gourmet foods, it was RJR Nabisco’s Grey Poupon mustard.
MIDNIGHT BLUES: When the Huntington Beach City Council meeting ended after just two hours this week, Councilman Ralph Bauer quipped: “I don’t know what I’m going to do the next three hours.” That’s because the council is becoming a bit notorious in the county for its incredibly lengthy meetings--1 a.m. and 2 a.m. closings are becoming the norm. But help is on the way: The council is awaiting a report from City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga on how to speed up the sessions.
Welfare Rolls
The number of people in Orange County receiving child welfare benefits has more than doubled since 1989. 1989: 54,070 1990: 64,182 1991: 79,595 1992: 94,670 1993: 111,772 Source: State Department of Social Services
