FUN TAX: Just when you thought that...

FUN TAX: Just when you thought that it was safe to ride the roller coaster. . . . The budget-plagued County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday proposed a 2% tax on ticket sales at such parks as Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain. But Valley theme park operators fear that the tax could drive tourists to Orange County theme parks, such as Disneyland (B1).

DOUBLE STANDARD? Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs was considered an enemy of government waste. Until now. . . . During the past five years, Wachs has charged the city $13,348 for parking and insurance covering his personal use of a city car (B1). Oh, and he’s billed the city for such magazines as People, too. Why? They’re “helping me do the job,” Wachs said.

WATERWORLD: Stephen Moe loves to fish for trouble. . . . As a city parks and recreation water manager, Moe, above, takes samples for pH testing from Lake Balboa. The lake, which receives 13.5 million gallons of processed water daily from the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, serves as a wildlife sanctuary and recreation area (B1).

SHUTTLE SCUTTLE: Rocketdyne workers in Canoga Park could soon get the abort order. . . . Rocketdyne’s parent company, Rockwell International Corp., announced a joint venture Wednesday with Lockheed Martin Corp. in a bid to run NASA’s space shuttle program through a private contractor. But Rockwell officials said the deal would likely cost jobs companywide (D6).

FEELING HOPEFUL: Fifty years ago, Coast Guard Seaman William Iredale watched from the rear of the crowd as Bob Hope performed before the troops in the Philippines. On Wednesday, Iredale got a little closer. . . . Hope invited Iredale--from San Diego--and other ex-GIs to his Toluca Lake home, where they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Said Iredale of the meeting: “Coming here today was like an interview with God.”