Few sparks fly at final Newport forum

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- City Council hopefuls tamely wrapped up their public

debates Thursday as about 60 residents of The Bluffs Homeowners Assn.

discovered that the candidates agree on most issues other than the

dueling measures on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Representatives for Measures S and T also made brief presentations.

Sitting in the association’s courtyard around a Spanish-style

fountain, with several heaters set up to warm the audience, candidates

once again introduced themselves to voters with brief stump speeches.

In the race for the District 2 seat on the council, which will be

vacated by Councilwoman Jan Debay because of term limits, Steven Rosansky

pitched himself as a candidate who would focus on all issues rather than

picking pet projects. Gary Proctor offered his political resume, telling

the crowd that he’d served on the county’s airport commission for 17

years and would lead the fight against an expansion of John Wayne

Airport. And Dennis Lahey said he’d like to bring a fresh perspective to

a council currently dominated by Planning Commission graduates.

In the race for the District 5 seat, which will be vacated by Mayor

John Noyes, candidate Pat Beek told listeners that she had served as a

community volunteer throughout the city. Her time on the parks, beaches

and recreation commission and a career in retail management have also

prepared her for the job, she said.

Also running in District 5, Steve Bromberg said he sees himself as a

“citizen politician” and referred to his record as a community volunteer

and professional mediator and arbitrator as reasons why residents should

vote for him. Another District 5 hopeful, Bob Schoonmaker, told voters

that if elected, he would come to the City Council with a slow-growth

outlook on development.

District 7 candidate Bob Wynn said he would hire a full-time

consultant to coordinate the city’s efforts against an expansion of John

Wayne Airport and push for a second county airport at the former El Toro

Marine Corps Air Station.

District 7 incumbent Councilman Tom Thomson said that while

accusations against his council colleagues in recent weeks had been

unfair, he was often the sole dissenting vote on the dais -- including

issues like an area car dealership having too many lights.

John Heffernan, also running in District 7, said Measure T’s vast

campaign funding was proof that its supporters were backed by developers

and not residents.

Measure T would add parts of the city’s traffic phasing ordinance to

the City Charter and nullify Measure S, should voters approve both

measures.

Measure S proposes to put before a citywide vote any development that

allows an increase of more than 100 peak-hour car trips or dwelling units

or 40,000 square feet over the general plan allowance.