Reiner Won’t Make Run for Governor

Director Rob Reiner said Wednesday he will not be a candidate for governor in 2006, putting to rest rumors of a potential “Meathead vs. Terminator” showdown with Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I’ve made a definite decision that it’s not something I’m going to do,” Reiner said in an interview with The Associated Press. Reiner, the director of hit films that include “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men,” said concerns about his family and a desire to focus his political energies on passing a ballot initiative establishing universal preschool for California children had persuaded him to stay out of the governor’s race.

Council to Name Masry Successor


The Thousand Oaks City Council has decided to appoint someone to fill the seat of lawyer Ed Masry, who died Monday of complications from diabetes. Masry resigned from the council last week, citing his failing health. He had served only one year of his four-year second term, much of it while hospitalized. His former colleagues decided it would cost too much , at least $250,000 , to hold a special election next spring, the Los Angeles Times reported. The council made the decision last week after Masry resigned. People interested in filling the seat of the fiery environmental lawyer only have until Friday to submit an application. State law gives cities 30 days to select a replacement council member or schedule an election.

Countrywide Space in Simi Valley Sold


In Simi Valley’s biggest commercial real estate transaction this year, a Los Angeles investment firm has paid $33 million for the Countrywide Home Loans Inc. building, officials said Wednesday. The property also includes a vacant three-acre parcel. Countrywide recently signed a 10-year lease for the 180,000-square-foot building, which was rebuilt after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported. The new owner, Century Park Partners, bought the property from Schmid-Moulton Parkway, a unit of Anaheim-based private trust Schmid Development.

Study of Gas Plant Critiqued


A study of a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at the Port of Long Beach falls short of answering some key questions, such as whether the terminal would be vulnerable to terrorists, prone to accidents or costly for local agencies, Long Beach city officials said. City leaders said they will await a final environment impact report on the controversial proposal before deciding whether to approve it. In a critique, the city said the draft neglects some worrisome possibilities, such as the chance that terrorists could commandeer a tanker ship full of liquid natural gas, or that gas could be released in a pipeline accident. Also, the city said the draft doesn’t consider the danger to port workers in the event of an explosion.

Gemstar Ex-CEO Didn’t Falsify Ad Sales, Lawyer Says


Henry Yuen, the former chief executive of Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., didn’t make sham advertising sales to boost revenue to meet investors’ expectations, his lawyer said. Yuen, 57, went on trial Wednesday in Los Angeles on Securities and Exchange Commission claims that he misled investors by inflating revenue by $248 million from 1999 to 2002. The company’s stock price has fallen 83 percent since it announced in April 2002 that it had booked revenue from ad swaps and fees it expected to recover in a lawsuit, Bloomberg News reported.

Metrolink Chugs Ahead With Crash Technology


Partly in response to this year’s fatal crash in Glendale, Metrolink will be the first commuter rail system nationwide to use technology on cab cars designed to reduce the severity of collisions technology that could become required for all commuter trains, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported. The technology is designed to spread the force of a crash throughout the train so the front of the cab car doesn’t absorb the brunt of the impact. Transportation officials said they believe it will prevent passenger injuries and reduce derailments. Metrolink will begin selecting new cars in January, and will buy more than 40 new cab cars, replacing its entire fleet. Each car could cost between $2 million and $3 million.