FAIR GAME:

It’s always interesting watching a Costa Mesa City Council meeting and seeing what the “big three” are deciding.

This past week was no different. In fact, some would argue that the meeting was perfectly scripted. But c’mon, we all know that couldn’t happen.

There’s no way this council would call each other and say, “This is the plan ... ”

So in the latest chapter of musical chairs, Eric Bever is the new mayor and Allan Mansoor is now the mayor pro tem, following his resignation from the top spot.

This was all made possible by the vote of fellow council member Wendy Leece.

Hence, the “big three.”

Councilwoman Katrina Foley was on vacation and missed the meeting. It probably wouldn’t have hurt Councilwoman Linda Dixon to have done the same.

After all, without a scientific study being done, my count says that about 99.9% of the time the Foley-Dixon votes don’t mean a thing.

And so as Mansoor moves over to the second seat, in an effort to get his buddy Bever reelected, he does deserve kudos for a job well done at the top.

In the beginning, I didn’t necessarily agree with all Mansoor set out to do, but the important thing is that the majority of Costa Mesans did.

Mansoor told them he’d remove the Job Center and did it. And, to be honest, in my many trips down Placentia Avenue since then, I have to admit that area has improved.

Good for you, Mayor Mansoor.

He also wanted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in the Costa Mesa city jail and got one.

Who can argue with 500-plus illegal immigrants identified through arrests?

Again, good for you, mayor.

And under Allan’s leadership, good or bad, Costa Mesa could at times bask in the spotlight of national politics.

So now we move on to Bever. Make that Mayor Bever.

As mentioned above, Bever’s appointment is obviously an attempt by the “big three” to garner more attention for Bever in his quest for reelection to a second term on City Council this fall.

Something tells me Mansoor will still be running the show, and he’s proved to his constituents that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

It gets me thinking of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.

I loved them.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling Bever a dummy.

Come on now, that’s what you’re thinking.

And shame on you!

But here are some questions and to ask as Bever takes over:

Will Bever sit on Mansoor’s lap or simply off to his side?

Will Mansoor use strings or simply put his hand up Bever’s back to move his mouth?

Do Mansoor’s lips move when Bever talks?

If not, then you know he’s good.

See for yourself if Mansoor can drink water while Bever is trying to make a point.

This promises to be another great year ahead. Happy New Year.

TOM JOHNSON is the publisher. Send story ideas to [email protected].