Latest news with #Dudek
Los Angeles Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Costa Mesa invites residents to rezoning open house, but it's mostly the usual suspects
Attempting to draft a template for creating 'neighborhoods where we all belong,' Costa Mesa officials Wednesday kicked off a year-long visioning process for the citywide rezoning of major commercial and industrial corridors to allow for more high-density housing. An open house at the Norma Hertzog Community Center invited residents and city stakeholders to participate in the massive planning overhaul required for Costa Mesa to comply with a state mandate that it zone for an additional 11,760 residential units by 2029. Because many of the city's residential parcels are built out, accommodating that growth will require lots throughout the city to be rezoned for housing. Measure K, an initiative narrowly passed by voters in 2022, allows that to be done without triggering a popular vote. Although the measure passed more than two years ago, the city is just now beginning to drill down into the details of what development standards might be within those Measure K corridors, primarily along the city's Harbor and Newport boulevards and north of the 405 Freeway. 'Housing is one of the, if not the most important things in our lives. So, I'm glad you are all interested in housing and the future of housing here in Costa Mesa,' said Carrie Tai, the city's director of economic and development services, welcoming the crowd. After a brief introduction to the rezoning process and timeline (officials estimate they will be refining the zoning code updates by summer or fall of 2026) attendees were encouraged to circulate among and interact with a series of informational displays. The event drew about 70 participants, including many city planning staff and consultants with communications firm Kearns & West and planning firm Dudek. A dozen or more were current and former planning commissioners and council members, leaving just a handful of residents in the crowd, most of them not strangers to city meetings. Stations asked participants, in English and Spanish, to indicate what type of housing scenarios they've lived in, while another asked them to place stickers on their three top priorities for creating a good neighborhood, with options ranging from diverse housing types and outdoor space to mobility and having access to amenities. The format did not impress Costa Mesa resident Jay Humphrey, a senior and regular city council and planning commission meeting attendee who said a town hall forum with questions from and discussion among citizens would have been more informative. 'With this, I only know what I know — I don't know what he knows or she knows,' he said. ''The more you can get the community to be connected to the project, the more they participate, and the more they participate, the better we have it.' Cynthia McDonald, a local activist who campaigned against Measure K for precluding major rezoning efforts from a vote, agreed the city's consultant-driven process cuts out residents who may have professional backgrounds in legal or planning matters. She said she'd like to see a citizen's advisory committee contribute to the rezoning effort. City officials, however, contend they will seek to involve the public in a series of multiple meetings and discussions scheduled to take place throughout the community before the zoning code update is brought before the Costa Mesa Planning Commission and City Council for final approval. An Aug. 21 workshop at Costa Mesa City Hall, from 6 to 8 p.m. will focus on Harbor and Newport boulevards, and residents may attend an informational walking tour of the city's westside on Aug. 23, convening at the city's Senior Center at 10 a.m. A third meeting on Sept. 10 will tackle zoning issues in the city's north end, including SoBECA. One of Wednesday's interactive exhibits prompted visitors to write Post-it notes envisioning their ideal community. Suggestions in Spanish and English included more accessible bus stops, trees and mixed use developments as well as better walkability and bikeability. Those are all priorities for resident Marc Vukcevich, who campaigned for Measure K and has eagerly awaited the rezoning it allowed. 'The biggest thing for me is an abundance of housing with walkable amenities. That is, to me, what makes an amazing community,' he said. 'This is a mandate the state has on the city, and it has to be done within some reasonable timeline. It's the law, at the end of the day.' The meeting's end found Costa Mesa resident Andrew Kenny scrawling down his thoughts on a comment card. The 29-year-old, a college graduate attending Coastline College to study data science, came with girlfriend Christina Chyi, 26. The couple live in the city's South Pointe Apartments on Baker Street and believe something must be done to make housing more affordable for all. 'So many people have become accustomed to the idea that costs are just going up — it doesn't have to be that way,' said Kenny. 'With rezoning, more aggressive development and higher density development, a lot of those things could be alleviated.' Chyi, who worked in Newport Beach, said 'Costa Mesa was the closest place I could live that was 'more affordable,'' adding her own air quotes, given the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment hovers at $2,400 per month. 'We're just people who live in an apartment and figure it would be nice if apartments didn't have to be so expensive,' she said.
South China Morning Post
25-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Liverpool's Champions League hero Dudek ‘too scared' to watch famous final
Jerzy Dudek, one of the heroes of Liverpool's astonishing 2005 Champions League final victory over AC Milan, said he had been 'too scared' to rewatch the famous Istanbul clash for fear of being overcome with emotion. The English and Italian clubs are set to meet in a Kai Tak Stadium friendly on Saturday, 20 years after Liverpool recovered from 3-0 down to level at 3-3 before beating Milan on penalties in a match christened the Miracle of Istanbul. 'Life changed for everybody in our team after that night,' Dudek said. The goalkeeper made a stunning close-range stop from Andriy Shevchenko deep into extra-time. In the penalty shoot-out, Dudek's tactic of cavorting on his line to unsettle the Milan takers paid off, as he denied Andrea Pirlo and, decisively, the hapless Shevchenko. 'When I came back home my father was asking what I was doing in the goal, with all the dances,' Dudek said. 'I've never watched it from the first minute to the last, only the highlights and penalties. I have probably been too scared, because of the emotions. 'I've been waiting for a special occasion. Maybe this summer, as it's the 20-year anniversary, I'll grab my friends and we'll watch it together. The fact everyone still talks about it shows we did something special.'
30-05-2025
- Business
Cyprus shows off its new Airbus military helicopters touted as more advanced than what Germany has
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Cyprus on Friday unveiled four of its newly-delivered Airbus H145 helicopters that officials say are among the most advanced rotorcraft in the word with a proven track record that gives the Cypriot National Guard an operational edge. The helicopter is currently used by Germany, the U.S. Hungary, Belgium, Ireland and other militaries with over 500 variants currently in operation, logging over 8 million flight hours, according to Cyprus Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas. 'The new helicopter is a multi-role, digital instrument that is geared toward the demands of the 21st century,' Palmas told a ceremony at Cyprus' main Paphos air base. Two more of the state-of-the-art aircraft will be delivered, while the contract with Airbus allows for the purchase of additional helicopters, said Airbus Senior Vice President for the H145 program Daniela Dudek. Dudek said the reliability of the 3.8 ton aircraft is affirmed by its 40 years of service but the integration of advanced avionics and weapons systems make it the 'most military-capable aircraft in its category.' 'What we achieved over years to quickly integrate existing technology on the market, defense technology, and it is unique what you have here. You're even more advanced than what we currently have in Germany,' Dudek said. The helicopter's advanced avionics, which Airbus codeveloped with Israeli companies in the last two years, also includes an integrated weapons system dubbed H-Force which enables the pilot to easily operate the helicopters weaponry in flight, eliminating the need for a separate weapons officer on board. Dudek said another unique aspect of the Cypriot helicopters is an integrated battle management system that enables the aircraft to operate seamlessly with forces on the ground as well as other aircraft, including those belonging to the forces of other nations. Additionally, the helicopter's electronic warfare and other systems afford it a strong self-protection capability. Ethnically-divided Cyprus is in the process of modernizing its defensive capabilities to bring it up to modern European and NATO standards after years of relying on mainly Soviet-era, Russian-made weaponry. The island nation continues to operate Russian-made T-80 main battle tanks, but has recently sold off 11 Russian-made Mi35 attack helicopters to Serbia. Cyprus was split in 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by Athens junta-backed supporters of uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island's northern third. The Cypriot defense minister said the helicopter purchase is part of wider strategic planning for the continuous upgrading of the National Guard, enabling the island to take part in joint military drills with friendly nations.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cyprus shows off its new Airbus military helicopters touted as more advanced than what Germany has
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus on Friday unveiled four of its newly-delivered Airbus H145 helicopters that officials say are among the most advanced rotorcraft in the word with a proven track record that gives the Cypriot National Guard an operational edge. The helicopter is currently used by Germany, the U.S. Hungary, Belgium, Ireland and other militaries with over 500 variants currently in operation, logging over 8 million flight hours, according to Cyprus Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas. 'The new helicopter is a multi-role, digital instrument that is geared toward the demands of the 21st century,' Palmas told a ceremony at Cyprus' main Paphos air base. Two more of the state-of-the-art aircraft will be delivered, while the contract with Airbus allows for the purchase of additional helicopters, said Airbus Senior Vice President for the H145 program Daniela Dudek. Dudek said the reliability of the 3.8 ton aircraft is affirmed by its 40 years of service but the integration of advanced avionics and weapons systems make it the 'most military-capable aircraft in its category.' 'What we achieved over years to quickly integrate existing technology on the market, defense technology, and it is unique what you have here. You're even more advanced than what we currently have in Germany,' Dudek said. The helicopter's advanced avionics, which Airbus codeveloped with Israeli companies in the last two years, also includes an integrated weapons system dubbed H-Force which enables the pilot to easily operate the helicopters weaponry in flight, eliminating the need for a separate weapons officer on board. Dudek said another unique aspect of the Cypriot helicopters is an integrated battle management system that enables the aircraft to operate seamlessly with forces on the ground as well as other aircraft, including those belonging to the forces of other nations. Additionally, the helicopter's electronic warfare and other systems afford it a strong self-protection capability. Ethnically-divided Cyprus is in the process of modernizing its defensive capabilities to bring it up to modern European and NATO standards after years of relying on mainly Soviet-era, Russian-made weaponry. The island nation continues to operate Russian-made T-80 main battle tanks, but has recently sold off 11 Russian-made Mi35 attack helicopters to Serbia. Cyprus was split in 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by Athens junta-backed supporters of uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island's northern third. The Cypriot defense minister said the helicopter purchase is part of wider strategic planning for the continuous upgrading of the National Guard, enabling the island to take part in joint military drills with friendly nations.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cyprus shows off its new Airbus military helicopters touted as more advanced than what Germany has
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus on Friday unveiled four of its newly-delivered Airbus H145 helicopters that officials say are among the most advanced rotorcraft in the word with a proven track record that gives the Cypriot National Guard an operational edge. The helicopter is currently used by Germany, the U.S. Hungary, Belgium, Ireland and other militaries with over 500 variants currently in operation, logging over 8 million flight hours, according to Cyprus Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas. 'The new helicopter is a multi-role, digital instrument that is geared toward the demands of the 21st century,' Palmas told a ceremony at Cyprus' main Paphos air base. Two more of the state-of-the-art aircraft will be delivered, while the contract with Airbus allows for the purchase of additional helicopters, said Airbus Senior Vice President for the H145 program Daniela Dudek. Dudek said the reliability of the 3.8 ton aircraft is affirmed by its 40 years of service but the integration of advanced avionics and weapons systems make it the 'most military-capable aircraft in its category.' 'What we achieved over years to quickly integrate existing technology on the market, defense technology, and it is unique what you have here. You're even more advanced than what we currently have in Germany,' Dudek said. The helicopter's advanced avionics, which Airbus codeveloped with Israeli companies in the last two years, also includes an integrated weapons system dubbed H-Force which enables the pilot to easily operate the helicopters weaponry in flight, eliminating the need for a separate weapons officer on board. Dudek said another unique aspect of the Cypriot helicopters is an integrated battle management system that enables the aircraft to operate seamlessly with forces on the ground as well as other aircraft, including those belonging to the forces of other nations. Additionally, the helicopter's electronic warfare and other systems afford it a strong self-protection capability. Ethnically-divided Cyprus is in the process of modernizing its defensive capabilities to bring it up to modern European and NATO standards after years of relying on mainly Soviet-era, Russian-made weaponry. The island nation continues to operate Russian-made T-80 main battle tanks, but has recently sold off 11 Russian-made Mi35 attack helicopters to Serbia. Cyprus was split in 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by Athens junta-backed supporters of uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island's northern third. The Cypriot defense minister said the helicopter purchase is part of wider strategic planning for the continuous upgrading of the National Guard, enabling the island to take part in joint military drills with friendly nations.
