Why does Chris Holden want to put small business owners out of business?

• July 10, 2023

When I was growing up, my parents worked hard to become franchisees for Dunkin’ Donuts. And they loved it. They were proud small business owners giving back to their employees, their customers, and the community.

I worked in the restaurants with them doing anything from handing out napkins to every other job in the restaurant as I got older. I never intended to be a franchisee, but after graduating from USC, I realized I wanted the same thing as my parents: To feel fulfilled going to work every day and to have the pride of owning my own small business.

I now own seven Dunkin’ and four Baskin-Robbins locations in Orange and Riverside counties. Empowering young people and watching them build confidence has been deeply rewarding. I want to continue to grow and create more opportunities for young people, but Assembly Bill 1228 by Asm. Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, threatens all that I have built.

AB 1228 would force national fast food corporations to exert significantly more control over local franchised restaurants like mine. It would make the corporations legally liable for employment and personnel decisions at our local restaurants. In turn, the corporations will be required to assert more control over our operations. That’s not good for me or thousands of other local restaurant owners and our team members.

Current law gives franchise owners control over operations including hiring, wages, scheduling, benefits and workplace standards. Our corporate brands have no role in employment decisions because this is my business and I know what is best for my people. That’s how it should be.

I became a franchisee to build something lasting for my wife and three kids, my employees and my community. I took all the risk: I’m on the hook for the loans, I signed the building leases, I paid for construction, equipment and more. I did not start this small business because I wanted to run it on someone else’s terms.

My restaurants are a great place to work. We nurture our team members, promote quickly and create a path to leadership and career growth. We offer flexible hours so our employees can go to school, play sports, go on vacation and take care of family members. If employees come to me with a problem, I can help fix it because I know my people and my business better than anyone. This is Business 101. Satisfied employees result in lower turnover and more happy customers.

We take community giving seriously, also. Because of our sponsorship, Children’s Hospital of Orange County has a full-time therapy dog and human handler to comfort kids and their families. I’m on the board of Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation which helps kids battling hunger and illness. We regularly sponsor sports clubs, schools, and community groups in Orange and Riverside counties.

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I am very concerned these personalized community commitments will be lost because AB 1228 threatens the franchise model entirely. Meritless lawsuits against corporate brands resulting from AB 1228 will proliferate and could force corporations to limit their liability by bringing ownership of their restaurants in house.

This would destroy new franchising opportunities and existing licensees, like me, could lose our livelihoods. This would be a tremendous loss since the franchise model provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs – many of whom are women, people of color, immigrants, and veterans. According to the International Franchise Association, franchised businesses are 31% minority-owned, compared to just 19% minority-owned in non-franchised businesses.

I love being a small business franchise owner. I’m proud that our employees are learning and advancing, and that our restaurants are bringing joy to our customers and our community. AB 1228 threatens all of that. AB 1228 should be defeated.

Parag Patel owns 11 Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ franchises in Orange and Riverside Counties. He lives in Irvine.

​ Orange County Register 

John Seiler: Does nuclear power have a future in California?

• July 10, 2023

California’s ambitious goal for carbon neutrality by 2045, if it’s even close to achievable, would require a major rethink of nuclear power generation. Fortunately that seems to be happening, beginning with how to deal with nuclear waste.

Teri Sforza recently reported in the Orange County Register how the Department of Energy is awarding $26 million to restart “an effort to enlist communities ready, willing and able to host the nation’s nuclear waste, at least temporarily,” including “3.6 million pounds of waste now encased in steel and concrete at San Onofre.”

The plant closed in 2012 after technical problems.

Dealing with the nuclear waste problem would make it easier to build new plants. But a roadblock is that Nevada ferociously has resisted developing the federal Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Project, which would centralize most waste 65 miles north of Clark County. Last year then-Gov. Steve Sisolak filed a legal motion to permanently end the project.

But there’s a lot more. California currently does not classify nuclear or even hydro energy as “renewables.” In 2020, current Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Chico, introduced Assembly Bill 1941 to include both in the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program. It died in the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy.

But doing some research for this article I noticed the following on the California Energy Commission’s webpage, for 2021 Total System Electric Generation, the latest year available: “California’s non-CO2 emitting electric generation categories (nuclear, large hydroelectric, and renewables) accounted for 49 percent of its in-state generation.” So the technicians who collect the data are thinking of nuclear and hydro (dams) as renewables.

Next consider the 2020 national Democratic Party Platform, under which President Biden was elected. It urged: “Recognizing the urgent need to decarbonize the power sector, our technology-neutral approach is inclusive of all zero-carbon technologies, including hydroelectric power, geothermal, existing and advanced nuclear, and carbon capture and storage.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, the head of the Squad of progressive Democrats and advocate of the Green New Deal, in February visited the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the site of the 2011 disaster. She noted Japan’s nuclear energy production then went from 40% to near zero. “The flipside to that is the major drop in nuclear energy production has been made up in increased use of coal and fossil fuels, whose carbon emissions accelerate climate change,” she said. While not an endorsement of nuclear, it’s a realization of the role it could play in decarbonization.

Westinghouse’s new Vogtle plant in Georgia in March celebrated the criticality of its Unit 3 reactor, using a new design called AP1000, a Generation III+ reactor design “with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design” and the smallest footprint per megawatt on the market. That means if there’s a mishap, the reactors shut down automatically. Unit 4 is expected to go critical later this year.  These are the first new U.S. nuke plants in three decades. Unfortunately, the immense expense of at least $31 billion, $17 billion over cost, bankrupted Westinghouse in 2017.

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“Part of the problem was regulatory, part of it was they didn’t have it fully designed,” Myron Ebell told me; he’s the director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He also discussed France, where 70% of electricity is derived from nuclear, the highest percentage in the world. He said they used a “cookie cutter” design to put up numerous similar plants across the country.

Ebell said we’re still perhaps 30 years from Generation IV reactors, which would be even safer and more efficient. Bill Gates’ TerraPower and other investors are pushing the research.

Returning to California, last September Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 846, which extended to 2029-30 the life of the two reactors at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant.

In November, the Department of Energy granted $1.1 billion for the project. That will take Diablo well beyond any Newsom presidential bid, whether in 2028 or, should Biden’s health falter, even in 2024.

As cynical as we can be about democracy, this is how it’s supposed to work, pushing solutions to real problems.

Despite disasters at Fukushima, Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, nuclear power is getting safer and will be a key part of our electrical future for many years to come.

John Seiler is on the SCNG editorial board.

​ Orange County Register 

Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar stabbed multiple times at Florida federal prison

• July 10, 2023

By MIKE BALSAMO

WASHINGTON — Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually abusing female gymnasts, was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another incarcerated person at a federal prison in Florida.

Two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press the attack happened Sunday at United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida. The people said he was in stable condition Monday.

One of the people said he had been stabbed in the back and in the chest.

The people were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack or the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Nassar was sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting gymnasts, including Olympic medalists.

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​ Orange County Register 

Matt Turner saves 2 PKs, USMNT edges Canada to reach CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals

• July 10, 2023

CINCINNATI — Matt Turner told his American teammates not to worry when their match against Canada went to penalty kicks.

“He had the last word before we went out to the field,” U.S. interim coach B.J. Callaghan said. “It’s just encouraging the guys to stay calm, stay committed to what they’ve practiced.”

Turner stopped two penalty kicks, and the Americans beat Canada, 3-2, in the shootout after a 2-2 draw on Sunday night for a berth in a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal against Panama. The U.S. had not won a shootout since 2005.

“A lot of the penalties that I had seen on my sheets or in my preparation, most of those guys were off the pitch by the time the pens were there,” Turner said. “I just trusted my instincts, really, and typically when I do that, I find myself having a lot more success.”

Brandon Vázquez gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 88th minute, but Steven Vitória tied the score in the third minute of stoppage time with a penalty kick after a hand ball on Miles Robinson. Jacob Shaffelburg then put Canada ahead in the 109th, but an own goal by Canada’s Scott Kennedy made it 2-2 in the 115th.

Turner stopped Vitória’s opening penalty kick with his right hand when Vitória shot down the middle, as he did in regulation. Vázquez skied his attempt over the crossbar and Turner dived left to bat away Liam Fraser’s attempt.

“He’s a really settling force at the back for the U.S.,” Canada coach John Herdman said. “He’s got wonderful feet. His game management is very good, and he can save penalties.”

Cade Cowell, Gianluca Busio and Jesús Ferreira all converted for the U.S. while Kamal Miller and Jacen Russell-Rowe made shots for Canada. Charles-Andreas Brym put Canada’s final attempt off the crossbar.

The U.S.-Panama winner on Wednesday night in San Diego advances to the championship match on July 16 against Mexico or Jamaica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The Americans have reached 12 consecutive Gold Cup semifinals. Going to a shootout for the first time since losing to Panama in the 2015 Gold Cup third-place game, the Americans improved to 5-4 in games decided by penalty kicks, including 5-2 in competitive matches. They had not won a shootout since beating Panama in the 2005 Gold Cup final.

Vázquez had put the U.S. ahead with a header from DeJuan Jones’ looping cross. In his home stadium where he plays for Cincinnati, Vázquez scored his fourth international goal and third goal of the tournament. He had entered in the 73rd minute.

Vitória tied the score with his fifth international goal. Robinson was called for the penalty by Mexican referee Marco Ortíz after a video review of a ball bouncing off the defender’s arm while Robinson was challenging Rowe. Ortíz declined to award a penalty after a video review of a ball off Robinson’s arm in first-half stoppage time,

Shaffelburg gave Canada the lead when he picked up a loose ball near midfield and dribbled past Ferreira. From just inside the penalty area, Shaffelburg sent a shot that deflected off a calf of defender Matt Miazga for his first international goal.

Turner lofted the ball from midfield into the penalty area. Miazga centered a header to Jordan Morris, who headed the ball in front. Dayne St. Clair made a leg save on Busio, but the shot deflected off defender Kennedy and in for an own goal.

In the opening game, Jamaica beat Guatemala, 1-0, on a 51st-minute goal by Amari’i Bell. The defender scored from a Demarai Gray pass with a right-foot shot from 8 yards for his first international goal. Jamaica will face Mexico on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers draft Kendall George, Jake Gelof on Day 1 of MLB draft

• July 10, 2023

The Dodgers made a statement with their first pick of the 2023 amateur draft: they’ve bought into the new rules designed to make speed a more integral part of the game.

High school outfielder Kendall George was not projected to be a first-round draft selection leading into this year’s event. Yet the Dodgers tabbed the 18-year-old with their first selection, 36th overall, on Sunday.

The Dodgers also selected University of Virginia third baseman Jake Gelof with the 60th pick in the draft.

George, from Atascocita High School in the suburbs of Houston, hit .445 with 32 stolen bases, a .581 on-base percentage, nine doubles, seven triples and 45 runs scored in 39 games during his senior season.

George also starred on the USA Baseball Under-18 National team that won the 18 and under World Cup last September. In that event, he hit .364 and reached base in 10 of 18 plate appearances while stealing five bases.

“George was the perfect fit,” Dodgers amateur scouting director Billy Gasparino said. “He can hit. We’re going to add power. He just checked so many boxes for us.”

Speed was a big box. Gasparino said “the way the game’s evolving, his ability to collect hits and steal bases” were attributes favored by MLB’s new restrictions on pickoff attempts, bigger bases, and infield shift limits.

“We feel it at the major league level daily,” Gasparino said.

George also attended Major League Baseball’s Breakthrough Series and Hank Aaron Invitational, where he traded tips with Rajai Davis, the veteran outfielder who taught him how to overcome a shared weakness ― a lack of arm strength.

Gasparino said he is “very confident” that he will be able to sign George. The slot value for the number-36 pick is $2.36 million. The Dodgers and George are “still working through the (financial) details,” Gasparino said.

Gelof, 21, set Virginia’s school record for home runs in a season (23) as a senior. He also set the school’s single-season RBI record (90) that he set in 2022 as a junior.

The Dodgers’ next pick will be No. 95 on Monday, as Rounds 3-10 begin at 11 a.m. The final rounds (11-20) continue Tuesday starting at 11 a.m.

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​ Orange County Register 

Wrong-way driver killed in head-on collision in Orange

• July 10, 2023

A man drove a sedan the wrong way on a major street in Orange and collided with a pickup truck and a car before he was ejected and killed, authorities said Sunday.

The chain of events started at 8:19 p.m. Saturday when dispatchers received two calls about a man passed out in the driver’s seat of a Hyundai Elantra at a green light at Katella Avenue and Tustin Street, said Orange police Lt. Phillip McMullin.

“At 8:20 p.m. and as patrol officers were responding, the driver awoke and proceeded west on Katella,” McMullin said. “Between Cambridge and Shaffer streets, the Hyundai drifted into oncoming traffic and collided into a Toyota Tundra and a Honda Insight.”

The driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene by Orange firefighters, he said. It was not known if drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision or if the driver of the Hyundai experienced a medical emergency. The driver does have prior arrests for DUI and being under the influence of controlled substances, McMullen said.

The Tundra driver and his 4-year-old daughter were taken to a hospital with minor injuries and the Honda driver remained at the scene with minor injuries. Both of these drivers were not impaired.

Katella Avenue was closed for between Cambridge and Shaffer streets for the investigation, he said.

Anyone with information can contact Det. Rocha at 714-744-7342.

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​ Orange County Register 

Lake Forest’s Paul Skenes headlines local players chosen in MLB amateur draft

• July 10, 2023

Paul Skenes, a Lake Forest native who starred at El Toro High School before winning the 2023 National Pitcher of the Year Award with Louisiana State, was chosen first overall in the Major League Baseball amateur draft Sunday by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Skenes went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings for the Tigers, who won the College World Series title. Teammate Dylan Crews was the second player chosen overall by the Washington Nationals.

“It feels like a lot of work and a lot of surrounding myself with the right people, and doing the right things for a long period of time,” Skenes said in an interview with MLB Network after the pick was announced.

Skenes was one of several Southern Californians who were selected on the first day of the MLB draft, which consisted of the first two rounds as well as all competitive balance round picks.

There was a strong industry consensus around the top five draft choices: Skenes, Crews, high school outfielder Max Clark (Detroit Tigers), Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers), and high school outfielder Walker Jenkins (Minnesota Twins).

The sixth player selected was Grand Canyon University shortstop Jacob Wilson, a native of Thousand Oaks. Wilson was chosen by the Oakland A’s, who also drafted Thousand Oaks High School infielder Max Muncy in the first round in 2021.

Wilson was among the handful of Day 1 picks who attended the draft ceremony in person, where he shook hands with commissioner Rob Manfred on stage at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. He was joined there by family, including his father Jack Wilson, a former major league infielder.

With the 15th pick, the Chicago White Sox selected Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez from Glendora. The 2021 Freshman of the Year is the first player from his college to be drafted in the first round.

With the 23rd pick, the Cleveland Guardians selected Huntington Beach High School catcher Ralphy Velazquez. A left-handed hitter, Velazquez helped the Oilers win the National High School Invitational title as a senior.

UCLA pitcher Alonzo Tredwell was chosen 61st overall, at the end of the second round, by the Houston Astros. The 6-foot-8 right-hander had his career at Mater Dei High School curtailed by Tommy John surgery, but he closed for the Bruins as a freshman in 2022 before moving into their rotation this year.

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​ Orange County Register 

Angel City FC defeats North Carolina thanks to late own goal

• July 10, 2023

LOS ANGELES — A little bit of luck can go a long way for the Angel City Football Club and Sunday, it was enough to earn a much-needed win.

In the 77th minute, Elizabeth Eddy, who just recently joined the team as a National Team Replacement Player, beat her defender on the right, whipped in a cross that went into the goal off of North Carolina defender Kaleigh Kurtz.

“I had a great pass, I was going to enter into a 1v1 duel and she overstepped,” Eddy said. “I got a shot off before the center back slid. It wasn’t even on target, but you know in soccer if you hit a ball hard across the center of goal, sometimes it goes in. We’ll take it.”

No matter, how it looked or developed, it goes the game goes into record book as a 2-1 Angel City FC (4-6-5, 17 points) win in front of 17,876 at BMO Stadium.

This was the last league game for Angel City until Aug. 19. The club will be off until a July 29 Challenge Cup game against the Portland Thorns.

“We knew coming into the game that this game needed to be three points,” Angel City midfielder Savannah McCaskill said. “We should have three points the last two games, if we’re being honest, a couple of draws … a point away at Gotham was good, but we should have gotten three points out of the Houston game, so going into this game, we knew three points was the job.

Both games ended in scoreless draws.

“It took every single person to get the job done and going into the break it’s even better because we feel like we’ve kind of earned the break now …puts us back closer to a playoff spot, which the rest of the season is ours to battle for,” McCaskill said.”

North Carolina entered the game riding a four consecutive shutout winning streak. Also, by the time the game kicked off, Angel City had fell back into last place in the league.

North Carolina opened the scoring in the 16th minute on a goal by Brianna Pinto.

After that goal, Angel City had a brief huddle to address things.

“We were basically saying that was too easy,” McCaskill said. “That was way too easy for them to go from their own defensive goal and score a goal. It was way too easy. We basically said it’s got to be better.”

Angel City responded two minutes later as McCaskill knocked home a cross from Scarlett Camberos to tie the game at 1-1. That’s where things remained until Eddy helped provide the winning goal.

Eddy, who is from Costa Mesa and attended USC, signed with Angel City late last month. She was cut by the Houston Dash in preseason.

“We just knew what she was going to bring us,” Angel City interim coach Becki Tweed said of Eddy. “She brings a no-fear attitude, she brings a I’m here to train, I’m here to work and whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it. She’s played as a forward for us, she’s played as an outside back in the past three games and she comes into training everyday to win.

“When you bring in winners, it obviously improves the team environment and she’s willing to run through a brick wall for anybody. I said it a couple of weeks ago, she’s been here for two weeks, but it feels like she’s been here for two years and those are the players that we’re really looking to bring in and become part of something that’s bigger than themselves.”

The win moves Angel City just one space (to 10th) in the league standings, but they’re now just four points behind the sixth and final playoff spot and also improved the unbeaten streak under Tweed to five games overall and four in league play (2-0-2).

“I’m disappointed that it (unbeaten streak) is not five wins, I’ll be really honest with you,” Tweed said. “I think momentum is really important. I don’t believe in luck. I believe you create your own luck and I believe you create your own luck Monday-Friday and we’re starting to do that now and I think hard work pays off and hopefully we can continue to grow.”

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​ Orange County Register