INSIDE SCOOP

The Huntington Beach Police Department brought in extra security for last

week’s City Council meeting on the eve of the election that would decide

Measure I, the initiative that ultimately failed to derail the Wal-Mart

project.

In explaining why the danger was greater than usual, Huntington Beach

Police Sgt. Janet Perez looked around alarmingly at the many pieces of

wood used by the retailer’s opponents to hold up the protest signs.

“I didn’t want a public meeting with a bunch of pointed sticks,” she

said.

David vs. Goliath vs. David

Some anti-Wal-Mart campaigners tried to portray Measure I as a match

between David and Goliath -- with Goliath being Wal-Mart and the city

elites versus a ragtag group of ordinary residents.

On election night, Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Garofalo, who supported

Wal-Mart’s bid to build a store in the city, turned the parable around.

“David is the economic fact that Wal-Mart would be a benefit to the

city,” Garofalo said. “Goliath was the not-in-my-backyard syndrome.”

Saying it with a bang

During last week’s Fountain Valley City Council meeting, an emotional

resident approached the council to vehemently express his opposition to

the work-furlough facility the county wants to put near the city.

“I don’t want to see this go in. Period,” the man said in a raised voice,

with a pound on the lectern.

“How do you really feel about it?” asked Councilman John Collins.

/SI -- Compiled by Eron Ben-Yehuda, Angelique Flores and Andrew Wainer