PLACENTIA : Funds for Soccer Program Delayed

A request for $2,000 to buy soccer equipment for a gang diversion program is on hold while Placentia city officials figure out how the city can fund the program and recover the money from the federal government.

The City Council on Tuesday postponed the request from Casa Placentia, a program that serves low-income families by offering activities for youngsters.

The 22 youths in the Casa Placentia soccer program are forced to play in Santa Ana, where equipment is available through a similar program, Casa Placentia director Mike Buelna told the council.

Casa Placentia is to get $2,000 in federal money granted last year under the federal Housing and Community Development Act, but the money trickles into cities through state and county disbursement programs. Because the county contracts are not ready yet, the money has not been released.