Rep.’s question is focus

During a meeting between UN goodwill ambassador Nicole Kidman and Congress’ foreign affairs subcommittee on violence against women throughout the world, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who’s a ranking member on the committee, asked if Kidman believes that Hollywood contributed to violence against women. Kidman acknowledged that Hollywood plays a role.

Although the focus of the congressional hearing was on violence against women, Rohrabacher’s question was the only thing that was picked up by major news outlets, said Tara Setmayer, communication director for the congressman.

“The focus of the hearing was lost in the middle because of that one question when the issue itself is a very important one — the issue of global violence against women and the purpose of Nicole Kidman’s appearance,” Setmayer said.

Supervisors enter O.C. Fair flap

Although the Orange County Board of Supervisors is looking into the possibility of purchasing the Orange County Fairgrounds, its representatives are in the process of considering two members for the Orange County Fair and Event Center Foundation, a nonprofit organization looking to raise funds and buy the fairgrounds from the state.

However, the office of Patricia Bates, chairwoman of the board of supervisors, sent a memo to fellow board supervisors, the Costa Mesa City Council, City Manager Allan Roeder and foundation Chairwoman Kristina Dodge indicating the county will hold off on making appointments until the foundation provides Costa Mesa with the items it requested in an Oct. 20 letter.

The city’s letter requested the foundation’s bylaws, activities and any agreements it has entered into since its inception before the council appoints two members to the board.

The foundation is currently working on a response to the Costa Mesa letter, Dodge said.

After the foundation responds to Costa Mesa, the supervisors will recommend two members to potentially serve on the foundation board, said Don Hughes, senior advisor for Bates. A selection date was originally set for Tuesday, but it has been postponed until further notice.

Ellis comment sheds light

During last week’s OC Fair & Event Center Foundation board meeting, a member of the public asked if the six foundation board members, who were also appointed by the governor to serve on the center’s board, met privately to discuss foundation business.

The answer by Vice Chairman David Ellis was no. However, during a break from the meeting, Ellis admitted to the Daily Pilot the six met privately to discuss foundation bylaws and code of conducts.