Costa Mesa’s ‘rising star’

Look in the windows of the popular eatery, El Chinaco, and you may

find her at the helm of a busy lunch destination. Or perhaps she is

at a Chamber of Commerce event or running a Costa Mesa Human

Relations Committee meeting. If not, she is most likely at one of her

children’s school events or at home relaxing.

The term Jack of all trades doesn’t come close to describing Mirna

Burciaga. First, because she is a woman, but more importantly,

because Jack is considered to do all trades averagely -- mastering

none. That does not seem to be the case with Burciaga, whom

Councilwoman Libby Cowan describes as a shining star.

In the new year, Burciaga will take her position on the Parks and

Recreation Commission after the resignation of Kelly Feldman and an

appointment from Cowan. She has also expressed interest in running

for City Council in November but insists her other responsibilities

come first -- at least for now.

Pilot Columnist Lolita Harper caught up with Burciaga to ask her

about her community involvement and seemingly busy schedule. Here is

what she had to say:

How long have you lived in Costa Mesa and at what point in your

time here did you feel the need to get involved in the community? Was

there one specific issue that sparked your interest, or was it a

general desire to participate?

I’ve lived in Costa Mesa for 22 years, and I have felt involved

since my children began attending school. School affairs became very

important, and the schools certainly are a part of the community.

Those who are loyal readers of the Pilot would remember your name

from various stories on your role in filing an official complaint

against the Newport-Mesa Unified School District alleging that

English-language learners were not getting the education they are

entitled to by law. Since then, your name has been synonymous with

bilingual education, but you don’t necessarily support that either.

Can you explain where you stand on bilingual education?

Bilingual education was never an issue. Some communities, and

consequently their schools, have turned to bilingual education as an

educational support system. Our schools have not supported the

concept of bilingual education, and neither do I.

As I mentioned earlier, this has never been an issue for

discussion in our schools. My concern has been to provide all

students, not only English-language learners, the best education. In

the case of English-language learners, appropriate instruction in

English is a critical part of their education, so that they can

access the core curriculum.

So, I would like to respectfully question that my name has been

synonymous with bilingual education. That has never been part of any

discussion with the schools nor with the state officials. My campaign

has always been for the full implementation of a program of effective

English instruction for English-language learners.

In January, you will take your place on the Parks and Recreation

Commission. What do you hope to bring to the parks commission that

has been missing?

It is not about what is missing. I am sure that I have

qualifications that will be beneficial for the commission. I hope my

experience can help create a better quality of life in my community.

I am committed to do my best.

In addition to your upcoming gig as a commissioner, you will also

keep your role as chairwoman of the Human Relations Committee, as

well as running your business and household, while raising your

children. Where do you find the time?

I have a lot of experience in business, and have learned how to

select employees who can be delegated to provide management in my

absence. Also, my husband is very supportive; we share

responsibilities at home. Our children never lack attention or

supervision. As you might guess, they are involved in many

activities, and we are always there to support them.

I have taken many workshops in leadership and management. An

important part of the training is time management.

I remember the words of a highly successful executive: “If I have

something of great importance that must be done quickly and done

right, I always look for the busiest person and ask him to do it.”

Another executive said, “If I have two people on my management team

who agree on everything, I don’t need one of them.” So, you don’t

look for teams who agree on everything; you look for teams who bring

various points of view, so that decisions and solutions are the best

for everybody.

You have expressed your desire to run for City Council. Do you

feel you have a strong support base for such a venture?

It is premature to talk about a support base for a City Council

position. However, I do know that many people who are very active in

the community have been supportive of my efforts on behalf of the

community.

I believe that support should not be a result of recruiting, it

should grow as a result of people seeing that your interest and

efforts are always for the betterment of the community.

I know it is early in the campaign season, but have you given any

thought to what your key running points might be?

At this time, I am not running for City Council. A seat on the

Parks and Recreation Commission was an appointment; I did not

campaign for it as a stepping stone to a City Council seat. Now that

I am involved in this very important community service, and see an

opportunity to possibly serve on the City Council, I am certainly

going to begin to look at all sides of issues to be sure that I have

considered all points of view before taking a position.

Please don’t take this as avoiding your question, I just don’t

want to be perceived as a person who has an immediate, emotional

response to questions and issues. My policy has always been to be

open-minded and to weigh carefully any decision that will affect many

people.

If you could change one thing about the city, what would it be and

why?

Again, I will need more time to become aware of the city issues

and priorities. I would like to be as informed as possible before

making recommendations.

Your restaurant, El Chinaco, is named for Mexican countrymen, who

are considered brave and laborious. Can you explain the symbolism or

why you chose that as the name of your business?

There was really no attempt at deep symbolism. The name reflects

pride and dedication. Most important, it is easy to remember, which

is good marketing.

When you are not taking on the school board, leading a Human

Relations meeting, running your business or strategizing a run for

City Council, what do you do for fun?

First, let’s clarify your opening comment to this question. I

don’t “take on” the school board. When I asked the state to evaluate

services to our language learners, my effort was to have our services

reviewed. The responsible agency was the state board of education.

The state reviewed the situation and saw that changes were needed.

Then our school board had to “take on” the challenge of providing

adequate curriculum, materials and instruction.

I will never be looking for confrontation, I will always be trying

to see that the people of the community are receiving the services

that they are paying for and deserve.

To address the second part of your question, I like to spend time

with my family. It’s fun to be together at the soccer field and watch

my children’s games. I love to go to the movies, and also on the

weekends staying up late with my son watching good movies.

Going to our wonderful church the Center for Spiritual Discovery

is always fun; we have a lot of fun events. My family and I enjoyed

dining out at different restaurants during weekends.

What is your favorite thing about the holiday season, and does

your family have any special traditions?

The music, the decorations, the gifts -- you can breath joy

everywhere. There is this sense of closeness among everybody. No

matter who you are, or what traditions you have, you can feel this

unity. Food is one big thing for us. In our family, it’s a tradition

to cook a turkey. I use a special recipe from my grandmother; she

passed it along to all of us. Also, we have special food treats from

my husband’s side, tamales, bunuelos, spicy punch, and of course,

some American dishes. I am blessed to have the opportunity to mix

three different traditions. We attend a special service at our church

on Christmas Eve and make plans for the next year.

Any closing thoughts?

I appreciate this opportunity to express my thoughts to your

readers. I believe that the key to effective government is open

communication.

Government exists everywhere. It is officially comprised of school

principals, district administrators, school boards, commissions, city

councils, etc. But communication has two directions. We should be as

passionate about listening to the viewpoints of others as we are

about expressing our own. I pledge to always be available for open

discussion on any issues, and to make all information available to

everyone in the community. The voice of an informed community makes

it easier for a leader to make decisions.

Happy holidays to all.