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    Back to Orange County Line

    Orange County Line

    Irvine's Larry Agran Era Over?

    The defeat of the city's longtime political heavyweight.

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    By Gustavo Arellano • Nov 11, 2014 • 3m Listen

    Of the many surprises in last week's Orange County political races, none seemed as unlikely as the fourth-place finish of Irvine council member Larry Agran. First elected to office in 1978, Agran has alternately served as mayor or councilmember for 28 of the 36 years since, playing a huge role in the growth of Irvine as America's ultimate master-planned suburb. But the last decade has seen his political demise on the altar of what's also his greatest project: The Great Park, a massive public project that was supposed to rival America's other great municipal parks but instead has been a lighting rod for allegations of cronyism, corruption, and government waste. Agran vows to not leave the political scene — but what will follow?

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gustavo Arellano

      columnist, LA Times

      CultureNewsOrange County
    Back to Orange County Line