ORANGE

City Council members recently denied a request from the Orange County Ronald McDonald House to waive a $150 fee for banner placement, citing restrictions on fee waivers in the municipal code. The Ronald McDonald House is preparing for its largest fund-raiser of the year--the sixth annual Law Enforcement Pancake Breakfast--on June 26 and had asked officials to waive the fee because the house relies heavily on donations and volunteers to operate. The Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay and other services to families with children who have cancer or other serious illnesses. But council members pointed out that the municipal code allows for a waiver only for events co-sponsored by the city. Nevertheless, they personally pledged $30 each, for a total of $150, to cover the banner fee.