57, Newport Beach ... Newport Beach city...

57, Newport Beach ... Newport Beach city manager ... Made the call to

begin cutting down ficus trees in Balboa Village last September,

drawing news crews from throughout the region ... Oversaw the

annexation of West Santa Ana Heights this year and is working toward

annexing East Santa Ana Heights next year ... Is one of only three

city staffers hired by and answering to council; to all others

besides the city attorney and the police chief, Bludau is the boss

... Father of two grown daughters ... Dressed up as Homer Simpson for

Halloween to head up a City Hall “Simpsons” gang -- even though he

doesn’t watch the TV show ... Last year’s ranking: 13