2007:Year of resolutions?

Everyone's tentatively consented to a preliminary design that includes a tot lot, a sailing center and public boat slips, but Legion members may continue to be skittish until they're sure they won't lose any amenities by the change. The next phase of park design should take six to eight months, and the public will be asked for ideas.

Just don't expect bulldozers yet — the city hasn't found funding for the $12-million-plus project, and Newport's legal counsel is still dealing with lawsuits by the hotel designer who lost the 2004 election and tenants of mobile homes now on the property.

ANNEXATION

Costa Mesa and Newport Beach twice failed to talk out their differences over four unincorporated areas between the two cities, but officials in November optimistically asked for six more months to chat before they face the county's Local Agency Formation Commission, which decides annexation issues.

In 2007, the cities probably will come back to the commission without any better solutions. The problem is that all four areas more or less want to be part of Newport Beach, and three have formally requested annexation. Those same three areas, however, are under Costa Mesa's aegis, and that city has the first right to try to annex.

Costa Mesa officials wouldn't mind loosening their grip, but they want an incentive like a piece of Banning Ranch, a 400-plus acre, largely undeveloped parcel. Newport has already thumbed its nose at that idea.

The wild card is new members on both city councils and the county board of supervisors as well as the commission. But new council members aren't likely to be any less territorial, so the hope of a peaceful compromise is slim.

IMMIGRATION

The story on the tip of everyone's tongue during last year's election cycle was illegal immigration.

Controversial debates about local police enforcing federal laws swirled as Mayor Allan Mansoor proposed to train local law enforcement to check the immigration status of people who police arrest, which drew a dividing line between some residents.

And although the issue will not be tossed aside this year, the approach will be slightly different.

Instead of Costa Mesa Police officers undertaking the task, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was placed at Costa Mesa Jail on Dec. 4 and has begun interviewing each person who's booked in the jail to assess his or her immigration status.

What remains to be seen is the program's effectiveness. In the early stages of the program, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have not disclosed how many people the officer has interviewed. But as time goes on, the numbers will come out, and the data will show whether the program has reduced crime in Costa Mesa.

In other areas of Southern California, some illegal immigration opponents proposed punishing landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, but legal challenges will likely warn other cities away from such measures.

At the Orange County Jail, sheriff's deputies will be taking over immigration screenings from federal agents after Dec. 20.

Because Democrats took control of Congress, federal legislation concerning immigration control will likely fall by the wayside unless the proposal has components like what President Bush favors, which includes a guest-worker program.