Job Center vote may prove to be an issue for 2006

S.J. CAHN

One of the great strengths of local or community journalism is that

it covers -- perhaps sometimes uncovers -- the decisions and

goings-on in the small city halls that dot America. The editor at the

first paper I worked for -- here’s another chance to mention it was

called the Unterrified Democrat -- put every last bit of talk and

action into his reports on town meetings. Those stories ended up

being impenetrably long, but he clearly thought that it was his high

duty to make sure everything was reported, if not unread.

He also hadn’t ever been to a Costa Mesa City Council meeting,

where the same people say the same things each and every meeting. If

he had, perhaps he’d have been typing a different tune.

Still, I don’t think it’s arguable that decisions made by city

councils affect people far more quickly and far more dramatically

than anything that comes out of state capitols or Washington, D.C.

Case in point this week in Costa Mesa: the closing of the Job

Center.

Those who want the center closed say that the problems that led to

its opening are gone; if they are wrong, this decision will begin

affecting Westside residents on July 1.

And if they are wrong, we may have seen in this decision the first

great campaign issue of City Hall race 2006.

Back before 1988, when the Job Center opened (and admittedly back

before my time), day laborers crowded Lions Park in numbers large

enough to force the city to open the center -- as good an indication

that residents felt it was a serious problem as you can find.

Perhaps this time around, if there are crowds, they will be at the

Home Depot on Harbor Boulevard -- a significantly less residential

location, which might reduce the outcry.

But still, more than 100 workers go to the Job Center each day,

according to the city. If they all move to one other location, it

will catch people’s eyes. And maybe it will cajole a few people to

run for office -- or try to run people out of office.

Mayor Allan Mansoor is the only one of the three who voted for the

center’s closure who will be eligible for reelection. Councilman Gary

Monahan is term-limited out and Councilman Eric Bever just won his

seat so he doesn’t face reelection until 2008.

Much could happen between now and then. Long-awaited improvement

to the Westside, a solution to Triangle Square’s lingering troubles

and easy procedures for parks and house redevelopments might have the

electorate fat and happy come November 2006.

But I have a suspicion we’ll look back and see this vote as a key

to who’s running and why.

*

One final note: It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and the Irish half of me

wants to point out a little something: I’ve been taught that if

you’re Irish, you don’t have to wear green today. It’s everybody else

who isn’t who does.

* S.J. CAHN is the managing editor. He may be reached at (714)

966-4607 or by e-mail at [email protected].