LA HABRA : City Rejects Funding for AIDS Walk

City officials will not help pay for the AIDS Walk, a fund-raising event to be held June 10 in Irvine, but some non-financial aid will be provided.

“I lost a dear friend to AIDS, and I am very supportive of the cause,” said Mayor Beth Graham, who is also a member of the AIDS Walk advisory committee. “(But) our policy has been not to give city funds to any charitable organizations.”

Councilman Douglas Bystry suggested that free ad space might be provided in the city’s community services brochure.

But Councilman John C. Holmberg disagreed: “I don’t want to see us open up our brochure to advertisements of this type. I think it’s just opening up a Pandora’s box.”

The council directed its staff to permit distribution of information regarding the walk at City Hall and voted to allow materials to be posted at staff-approved locations.

The council also suggested that arrangements be made to broadcast information on the event on the city cable TV channel.

The first AIDS Walk was held Nov 8, 1987. More than 1,400 people walked 10 kilometers to raise more than $100,000 for the county project, according to executive director Elizabeth Dorn Parker. Two subsequent walks raised more than $300,000.

The cities of Irvine, Placentia and Laguna Beach made cash contributions to the 1989 AIDS Walk, according to a letter from the organization. Contributions ranged from $1,000 to $2,500. A report prepared by La Habra officials said 11 cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome were reported in the city in 1988. The rate of incidence ranks near the bottom of the list when compared with other county communities, according to the study.