Council appointee takes run to limits

May 21, 2004 12 AM PT

June Casagrande

City Councilman Steve Rosansky announced he will seek election in

November to the seat he won by appointment last year, possibly

positioning him to be the only council member able to serve for more

than eight years.

Rosansky rolled out his campaign on Wednesday, formally announcing

a campaign committee comprising local heavy-hitters including former

Mayors Jan DeBay and Dennis O’Neil, Arts Commissioner Dennis Baker,

West Newport citizen activists Al Silcock and Paul Watkins, and

former council candidate Bernie Svalstad.

“Steve Rosansky is a rare type of person who has all of the

qualities and attributes to continue to be a good city councilman,”

O’Neil said. “And he wants to do this for the right reason: to be an

effective representative of the residents of Newport Beach.”

Rosansky was appointed last year to serve out the final year Gary

Proctor’s term after Proctor stepped down. His district includes West

Newport Beach and the Newport Heights area. Rosansky ran

unsuccessfully against Proctor for the seat in 2000.

Since he was appointed last fall, Rosansky played a role in

planning for the Fourth of July holiday, pushed for the city to

acquire and develop Sunset Ridge Park and tried to facilitate a

compromise between Greenlight leaders and city officials on the

future of the Newport Technology Center commercial building.

“I’ve enjoyed the seven months I’ve been on the council and I

think I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of good things for Newport

Beach and I’d like to continue that job,” Rosansky said.

So far, no challengers for the seat have emerged. Others who

applied for the seat last year included Dennis Lahey, also a

candidate in 2000 then known as a Greenlight supporter and as an

active member of the local American Legion post.

No other candidates have declared plans to run this year for the

District 2 seat. If Rosansky wins in November, then wins again four

years later, he will be the only council member to serve nine years

under the current term limits that limit most council members to two

four-year terms.

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

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