Nine head into battle for a seat on council

Deirdre Newman

The nine residents vying to replace former Councilman Gary Adams

include two planning commissioners, the head of the Chamber of

Commerce, the owner of a photography studio and the owner of a film

production company.

Adams resigned Sept. 1 because he is relocating his family to

Washington, D.C., for a job promotion. The deadline to apply for his

seat was Thursday.

On Sept. 21, the council will interview all the candidates at a

special public meeting and either appoint someone that night or

continue the process at its Sept. 28 meeting. The person appointed

will serve the rest of Adams’ term to 2006.

The nine hopefuls are: John Blom, a photography studio owner;

Timothy Brown, chair of the English and speech communication

department at Riverside Community College; Michael Browning, owner of

a real estate firm; Leslie Daigle, a planning commissioner and owner

of a land-use consulting business; Barry Eaton, a planning

commissioner and retired planning director; Charles Griffin, a

retired aviation engineer; Gerald Hegger, an independent insurance

agent; Richard Luehrs, president of the Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce; and Ron Winship, owner of a film production company.

Councilman Steve Bromberg said he doesn’t know if any of the

contenders can garner the majority vote of the council needed to be

appointed.

“I would be surprised if they did,” Bromberg said. “It’s a

wait-and-see.”

If a replacement is not appointed to the council on or before Oct.

1, a special election would have to be held.

Adams’ district includes the Upper Newport Bay, Eastbluff, newly

incorporated areas in Santa Ana Heights and areas near the airport.

Three of the applicants most visible in the public eye -- Daigle,

Eaton and Luehrs -- say they have passions and skills that will

enhance the council.

“I love our community and want to help shape and protect its

future,” Daigle said. “As with many Newport Beach residents, I want

to protect our quality of life, safe neighborhoods, clean oceans and

bay, vibrant businesses, managed traffic and fiscally sound municipal

government.”

Eaton said his experience working as an urban planner -- the last

20 years as the chief planner in Fullerton -- is an asset.

“I think I could bring some perspective to what the city does --

not just planning, but so many other things cities are doing, like

budgeting, park planning and almost all the kinds of things that

cities do -- I was involved in at least peripherally,” he said.

And Luehrs offered up a retort for those who would question his

close ties to business.

“Although I’m an advocate for business -- make no mistake about

that -- my question is, ‘Why isn’t everyone?’” Luehrs said. “If not,

does that mean you prefer storefronts and hotels were empty and

restaurants were closing? I don’t think that’s good for the

community.”

Councilman Steve Rosansky, who was appointed to replace former

Councilman Gary Proctor, said the best fit would be someone who’s

“knowledgeable of the issues, well-spoken, who has time available,

who the council feels they can work with, a good fit

personality-wise.”

“I’m not looking for a clone, but someone you feel comfortable

working with,” Rosansky said. “I look for people with other

perspectives, because I don’t think I have all the answers.”

If the council cannot agree on an appointment, Adams’ district

would be without a local representative for at least three months.

The estimated cost for a special election would be in the range of

$75,000.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers government. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].