The Political Landscape:

In his last year in office, former Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau received gifts ranging from $250 for a dinner and wine tasting for two from the Balboa Bay Club and tickets to sporting events courtesy of the Gas Co., the city of Anaheim and the head of a real estate investment firm, according to state political reporting forms the newly retired city manager filed last week.

A phone call to Bludau’s home was not immediately returned Wednesday.

The gifts don’t necessarily reflect any impropriety on Bludau’s part.

In March, Bludau accepted tickets valued at $110 to see the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from magnate and Newport Beach resident Fritz Duda, according to the forms.

In May, Bludau also accepted gifts from the Gas Co. valued at $91 including free parking, food and baseball tickets.

The former city manager accepted $275 worth of gifts including baseball tickets, food and parking from the city of Anaheim in July, according to the forms.

Bludau also reported social outings with friends and business associates on the forms, including three lunches with former Newport Beach Mayor Dennis O’Neil and a ticket to a hockey game courtesy of Councilman Steve Rosansky.

Bludau retired in September after 10 years of service with the city.

TRAN TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING ON HEALTH CARE

Assemblyman Van Tran will host a town hall meeting on health care for area seniors in Santa Ana on Friday.

Tran is holding the meeting along with CalOptima, the public agency that oversees insurance programs for children, low income families, seniors and people with disabilities.

CalOptima representatives will speak about how state budget cuts have affected its insurance programs at the meeting, as well as address issues concerning health-care reform.

“We have received a number of calls and letters asking how recent budget cuts and federal stimulus money will personally affect health care recipients,” Tran said in a written statement. “This will provide residents a chance to hear from the local experts and policymakers about what health-care services are available and which proposed cuts were just budget-time scare tactics.”

The meeting is slated for 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at Regent West Adult Day Health Care, 4717 W. First St. in Santa Ana.

CITY COULD DO AWAY WITH BEACH FIRE RINGS

More than one Newport Beach City Council member Tuesday night expressed a smoldering resentment for the fire ring at Corona del Mar State Beach.

The council passed an ordinance to tighten fire ring safety restrictions on Tuesday, but a few council members said they would like to see the rings done away with altogether.

Councilwoman Nancy Gardner, who represents Corona del Mar, said she dislikes the fire pits because they take up space and cause problems for the police and fire departments.

A recent trip to the beach convinced Gardner she would like to see the rings gone.

“Half the beach, all you smell is lighter fluid,” Gardner said. “I’d like to see staff bring back a policy to abolish them.”

“I see lots of health hazards associated with these rings as well,” echoed Councilman Mike Henn.

The council on Tuesday approved restrictions such as a ban on burning anything other than clean wood, paper and charcoal in the fire pits.