NEWPORT BEACH : Council Term Limits Measure Debated

Mary Schroeder, a 30-year resident of Newport Beach, thought she was a pro-term limits advocate because her husband is--until a debate this week. Now she’s torn and doesn’t know how she’s going to vote on the measure.

A local mortgage broker, Barry Zanck, argued for the controversial measure that will appear on the November ballot, while an attorney, Jim Parker, offered an opposing view at the debate sponsored by Speak Up Newport at the Villa Nova restaurant.

The measure, if passed, would limit council members to two consecutive four-year terms, although it would allow them to sit out one term and then run again.

If voters approve the initiative in November, it would go into effect for the 1994 elections. This would prevent all of the current council members, except first-term Councilman John Hedges from running again. Hedges’ wife, Maria, chaired the petition drive that collected enough signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.

“The reason . . . is people are fed up with government,” said Zanck, 37, who served on the committee that gathered signatures for the initiative. “We need more grass-roots candidates running for the City Council.”

Parker, 58, said: “Term limits treat incumbents like convicted felons.”

He also argued that for Newport Beach, a charter city, “it is very important to have influence” in regional agencies concerned with matters that affect the city. He cited agencies involved in such controversial issues as airport noise, the annexation of Pelican Hills and transportation.

“Our council people will lose clout in these very, very important districts,” Parker said.

That argument is what has Schroeder thinking twice about the measure.