NEWPORT BEACH : Observers Try to Sort Out Voters’ Message

Even though city voters this week overwhelmingly approved term limits for council members, the reelection of two incumbents has sent out what some observers say is a conflicting message to the council.

Measure P, which limits council members to two consecutive four-year terms, was approved 81.8% to 18.2%.

As a result, Mayor Phil Sansone, Councilman Clarence J. Turner and Councilwoman Evelyn R. Hart will not be allowed to run for reelection when their terms expire in 1994. Councilman John W. Hedges, who, with his wife, Maria, spearheaded the term-limit initiative, is the only council member who will be allowed to run again in 1994.

The two incumbents reelected Tuesday, council members Jean H. Watt and John C. Cox Jr., will not be allowed to seek reelection in 1996. However, Planning Commissioner Janice A. Debay, who won the third seat on the council, will be able to run again in that election.

Allan Beek, a longtime resident and member of the influential local environmental group Stop Polluting Our Newport, said he voted for Measure P to remind council members that they are the voices of the residents.

“I think the public is taking the attitude that our elected representatives should be like jurors,” he said. “We don’t have professional jurors and the people feel that we don’t need professional council members.”

But Royal S. Radtke, president of the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, said he thinks that voters have sent a mixed message to the City Council.

“I don’t believe that term limits were necessary in this city,” he said. “It’s a very confusing message. They voted for term limits, but they voted for the incumbents.”

Sansone, who announced last year that he would not seek reelection, was an opponent of Measure P. He agreed with Radtke, saying: “I think (the voters) just rode on the coattails of the state initiative.”

But Watt, who helped found Stop Polluting Our Newport, said the message was clear.

“I think people are trying very hard to find a way to have their government represent them better because they just feel that their government is botching things up too much,” she said.

Watt’s election in 1988 was considered a major victory for local environmentalists. This time, Watt said, “it’s a confirmation that I have been thoughtful about all sides of the issue.”

Hart, who is serving her fourth consecutive term on the council, said: “I’m not surprised. . . . I don’t think that the people were trying to tell us anything by that vote or they wouldn’t have voted for John Cox or Jean Watt.”

City voters also passed Measures M, N and O.

Measure M, which won 64% to 36%, allows the lease of city-owned land without voter approval. Measure N, which won 63% to 37%, allows the city to sell the property at 4210 River Ave. that had been dubbed “People’s Park.” Measure O, which won 64.5% to 35.5%, allows the city to increase the number of members on the Arts Commission.