News briefs

County money spent without public input

LOS ANGELES “”mdash; The five members of the county’s Board
of Supervisors over the last five years have dispersed more than
$11 million of taxpayer dollars without public notice or a public
vote.

The money has gone to a variety of projects, including a
baseball field in Topanga, pockmarked with gopher holes, an
Hispanic arts center in East Los Angeles and an economic alliance
that tries to bring business to the Antelope Valley.

Smaller donations have helped out theater troupes, soccer
leagues, libraries, anti-gang programs and some holiday
parades.

Each supervisor gets about $1 million a year in discretionary
funds to hand out as they see fit. Community groups and the
supervisors claim the funds help bridge the gap in scarce funding
for worthy cultural, educational and recreational programs.

Police officer recovering after gunfire at
party

LOS ANGELES “”mdash; A 30-year-old police officer was recovering
Sunday after being wounded by a gunman who fired at police trying
to break up an illegal party, authorities said. Officers returned
fire, killing the shooter.

Officer Mario Cardona and other gang enforcement officers
responded to an illegal party about 11:30 p.m. Saturday in South
Los Angeles, said Officer Don Cox, a police spokesman.

Compiled from Bruin wire services.