Governor

IRVINE — About 700 community leaders and business owners gathered at the Irvine Marriott for breakfast, networking and to hear the latest economic news — good or bad — at Wednesday's 2012 Irvine Business Outlook. Chamber of Commerce President Tallia Hart had nothing but good things to say about the city's economy. "This is like writing vows," Hart joked before the crowd. "I have so much to say in so little time. " More than two-thirds of Irvine businesses reported that they do not expect to reduce operations this year, and 22% have plans to expand, Hart said, citing statistics from a just-released survey completed by the chamber, the Orange County Register and the MacKenzie Corp.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, hero to small-government conservatives and villain to organized labor, is stopping by conservative bastion Newport Beach on Thursday while he visits Southern California for the Rose Bowl game. In any other year, the governor of a state represented in The Granddaddy of Them All wouldn't bring much reaction from locals outside of a friendly welcome. But Walker is facing a sustained recall effort from constituents who have targeted him after, in an effort to help balance the state's budget, he successfully pulled back some collective-bargaining rights for state workers.

The Governor's Cup 21 was strategically placed this week in front of the Sterling BMW dealership on West Coast Highway. "Someone is sailing with their head out of the boat, what a great idea," I thought as I drove south on West Coast Highway toward Balboa Yacht Club. At the club, I saw something I hadn't seen before: all of the sponsors' banners, flags and decals were presented professionally. The feeling that something special was about to happen overcame me. I quickened my step down to the waterfront.

Top young sailors from around the world will take to the local waves Wednesday at the start of the 45th annual Governor's Cup. Founded in 1967 after a donation by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan, the race is the Balboa Yacht Club's signature regatta. The event pits teams of three sailors — all 20 years old or younger — against each other in match races off the Newport shore. The races progress from rounds of qualifying matches to semifinals and finals. The invitation-only regatta draws crews from Australia, the United Kingdom and Bermuda, among other places.

COSTA MESA — The Newport-Mesa Unified School District's budget has been slashed by nearly $12 million for the next school year, but other cuts won't be determined until the state budget is approved. The district's funding for special programs is out $11.8 million, but Newport-Mesa could face an additional $17-million cut and an estimated 20 fewer school days. These possibilities could happen if a state measure for gathering additional revenue isn't approved and Gov. Jerry Brown approves a cuts-only budget, said Acting Supt.

COSTA MESA — Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa) on Tuesday expressed dismay with the lack of pension reform in Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget cutbacks. This week, Brown unveiled a plan to cut $12.5 billion in spending and get closer to balancing the state's ailing budget. Mansoor, however, said that while the governor's proposal makes "difficult and necessary cuts," it avoids the big elephant in the room: public employee pensions, which continue to be among the biggest costs for the state.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has rejected parole for a Costa Mesa dentist who killed three people in his chair from 1983 to 1984, in spite of opinions from a panel of appellate court judges and a state parole board that the convict should be released. On Dec. 15, Schwarzenegger overturned the parole board's recommendation to free Tony Protopappas, 65, who has served more than 25 years of his 15-to-life sentence on three second-degree murder convictions. In late 1983 and early 1984, Protopappas gave fatal doses of a general anesthetic to Kim Andreassen, 23, Cathryn Jones, 31, and Patricia Craven, 13, in his Costa Mesa dentist's office.

The Royal Zealand Yacht Squadron defended its title this weekend, winning the 44th annual Governor's Cup race at the Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach. The Kiwis bested a field of 13 teams in the annual junior racing regatta. William Tiller, Harry Thurston and Shaun Mason won the final two races for the title on behalf of Royal New Zealand. A round-robin format decided the winners. The New Zealand team was followed by the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, which finished second with a team made up of Chris Segerblom, Connor Bathen and Kieran Chung from Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

The 44th annual Governor's Cup embarked Wednesday. If you feel like you missed the start of the first race, I'll help you catch up. One of my favorite features of the Governor's Cup at the Balboa Yacht Club is the introduction of the crews by Andrew Rose at the welcome dinner. Now, to get a better feel on the type of intro and questions asked by Rose, think of Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Phil blending together and coming up with some classic moments. "The youth of the world has assembled for one of the most talented fleets ever brought together here at BYC," Rose said, adding that 13 teams received invitations: a record number of entries.

A former Costa Mesa dentist who killed three people in his chair was granted parole Wednesday after serving more than 25 years of a 15-years-to-life sentence, state officials said. The state parole board at Folsom State Prison granted Tony Protopappas, 65, his freedom amid a state Court of Appeal ruling demanding that he be released unless new evidence showed he was dangerous to society. But the decision is anything but final. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has 30 days to review the decision and can approve it, modify his parole conditions or release date, kick it back for a review by the entire board, or reverse the decision.