Seal debuts

The proposed new Los Angeles County seal — without the old Kenny Hahn-designed crosses, oil derricks and goddess Pomona — made its first public appearance Wednesday. If approved next week, the new emblem (pictured) would replace the old seal abandoned by the Board of Supervisors after the ACLU threatened to sue over its religious symbols. Reports the Times:

The new design, unveiled Wednesday and scheduled to be considered by the Board of Supervisors next week, remains a potpourri of symbols of the county's history, landscape and industries. A Spanish galleon, a couple of engineering tools, a tuna and a dairy cow named Pearlette all made the cut, but — look closely, now — the new seal's right side depicts a cross-free San Gabriel Mission.

And in the seal's center, Pomona, goddess of fruit trees, has been deposed in favor of a barefoot Native American woman carrying a bowl, meant to represent the area's early inhabitants.

Within moments of the proposed seal's release, critics were picking it apart — and promising a new battle to restore the cross.

Expect another round of the fight that ensued when the Supes voted 3-2 to dump the old seal. "This is not going to end," vowed Tony Bell, spokesman for Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who backs keeping the former symbol.

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