Council calls for Nichols’ resignation

June Casagrande

A citizen recall effort blessed by the City Council is underway to

remove Dick Nichols from office. At Tuesday’s council meeting,

resident Lloyd Ikerd dropped a bombshell that could foreshadow the

end of Nichols’ council career.

Ikerd reported that at a chamber meeting last fall, Nichols had

said that he opposed a school in the Banning Ranch area because it

would attract too many Mexicans.

“I took out recall papers at that time to remove Nichols from

office,” Ikerd said. “I’ve been sitting on them, but I’m not going to

sit on them anymore ... Nichols does not belong on this council, if

he doesn’t resign we will recall him.”

Nichols did not attend Tuesday’s council meeting for health

reasons. In his absence, his colleagues decided to put two items on

their next agenda: a discussion regarding Nichols’ comment, and a

vote to strip him from his committee appointments.

The six council members in attendance were unanimous in their

belief that Nichols should resign.

“I hope he’s man enough and I hope he’s bright enough to realize

the embarrassment he’s caused this city, and I hope he will resign,”

said Councilman Gary Proctor.

Other council members went so far as to encourage residents to

recall Nichols.

“I’d be happy to be the first one to sign that recall petition,”

Councilman Tod Ridgeway said.

Nichols has been the subject of nationwide media attention since

last week, when he said that one of the reasons he opposed expanding

grass areas on Corona del Mar State Beach is because, “With grass we

usually get Mexicans coming in there early in the morning and they

claim it as theirs and it becomes their personal, private grounds all

day.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].