Some questions still need to be asked at forums

Geoff West

Eager to view the performances of Costa Mesa City Council

candidates first hand, my wife and I left the chaos and clutter of

our mid-remodel living room for the plush appointments of the

Community Center Thursday night and were amazed at the turnout (“No

knockouts in Costa Mesa debate,” Saturday).

Despite the fact that most of the activists in town were scheduled

to attend the Community Redevelopment Action Committee

“facilitation,” scheduled simultaneously under the same roof, the

turnout was much larger than anticipated -- so much so that the walls

had to be moved back to accommodate the throng.

In addition to the five candidates -- who worked the crowd before,

during and after the forum -- the gathering was also attended by

candidates for judgeships and positions on the Newport-Mesa Unified

school board and sanitary district. Of course, there were also local

politicians from years past basking in the afterglow, including the

moderator of the forum, former mayor Peter Buffa. His ex-ness was in

fine form and did a terrific job of posing the questions and keeping

the dialogue moving, the answers short and the tone of the evening

light and friendly.

During the nearly two hours on the dais, each candidate had the

opportunity to answer, or not answer, each question submitted by the

audience and presented by the moderator. Answers ranged from clearly

thought-out, articulate responses to garbled mutterings or no comment

at all. There were few surprises, but quite a few chuckles. We

learned, for example, that Mayor Linda Dixon is against prostitution

on Harbor Boulevard and that she continues to be more than willing to

publicly pat herself on the back for her role in the potential Davis

Elementary School skate park.

We learned that they all oppose bridges at the ends of 19th Street

and Gisler Avenue, and that they all support at least one skate park

in the city. We also learned that they have different ideas of the

priorities facing the city, with a skate park being high on a couple

lists. Among the questions that didn’t get asked this time around

were:

What plans do the candidates have for improving the representation

of the Latino community on the Westside?

This is important because, although the forum took place on the

Westside at the edge of a rapidly growing Latino population, I saw

not a single Latino face in the crowd.

Another that was not asked:

Our municipal oxymoron, Triangle Square, has never lived up to its

potential and appears to be on the verge of becoming a blight on the

city. Since it was created by the actions of the redevelopment agency

-- the City Council in a fancy dress -- what is your position on

similar redevelopment efforts in the city?

Additionally, questions for specific candidates were not

addressed. For example:

For Katrina Foley:

Recently you have been described as a clone of Dixon. If you

disagree with this characterization, how do you differentiate your

candidacy from hers? Why should voters consider you rather than the

mayor?

For Dixon:

Despite your long record of public service, your leadership has

come into question in recent months. What changes, if any, do you

plan to improve the perception of your effectiveness as a leader for

the city?

For Gary Monahan:

A question was recently raised about the possibility that your

reelection to a third term on the council will qualify you for a

pension -- a fact that has since been confirmed by city officials.

What plans do you have for this windfall, estimated to be a whopping

$100 per month if taken at age 55?

For Allan Mansoor:

It has been said that many of the same people who supported

Councilman Chris Steel and helped get him elected two years ago are

also active in your campaign. How do you feel about the tactics used

to get Steel elected, and will you encourage similar tactics in your

campaign?

For Bill Perkins:

In light of the brevity of your public service experience, what

specific ideas, skills or accomplishments do you feel particularly

qualify you for a position on the City Council at this time?

Perhaps these questions will be asked and answered at future

events. I’m sure some voters were enlightened Thursday night.

Hopefully, others who did not attend this forum will watch the

replays that will be shown on Channel 74 for the next few weeks.

There are three more of these events scheduled between now and the

Nov. 5 election, including the finale to be held in the council

chambers on Oct. 30. I encourage every voter to try to attend one or

more of them, or watch these candidates perform on TV, before the

election. The future of this city depends on strong, dedicated,

clear-minded, effective leadership. The question is, which of these

candidates can provide it?

* GEOFF WEST is an Eastside resident.