New public works director coming home

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Returning to his hometown after a 7-year stint as

Seal Beach’s public works director, Stephen G. Badum will take on the

same job here starting June 18.

Badum said he had been interested in the position for quite some time

and actually left Newport Beach to return later on.

“I knew I needed more experience at a higher level,” he said, adding

that he’ll be able to build on his experience in Seal Beach -- a beach

city with many issues similar to those of Newport Beach, such as beach

access, erosion, a high daytime population and summer traffic.

City Manager Homer Bludau announced Badum’s arrival at Tuesday’s

council meeting. Don Webb, who holds the position, will retire after

working for the city for 33 years.

Bludau said Badum was a perfect fit for Newport Beach because he has

lived in the city for 15 years and worked as an engineering manager in

the city’s Public Works Department from 1988 to 1995 before taking the

job in Seal Beach.

In that city, Badum secured $14.7 million in grants for public works

programs and set up strategic infrastructure planning for street pavement

management, water and sewer, as well as ocean water quality and storm

drain systems.

In Newport Beach, Badum will oversee the department’s $34.8-million

budget, as has been proposed for the 2001-02 fiscal year.

Badum has a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State

Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the

University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He lives in the Lido Sands area

with his wife, Lynda, and twins, Stephanie and Thomas.