I’ll have a margarita, guacamole and a Davenport

It’s the fifth day of the fifth month, known to many as Cinco de

Mayo. What a perfect day for the Costa Mesa City Council to appoint

its fifth member to replace former Mayor-turned-judge Karen Robinson.

While many in Newport Mesa will be sucking down ice-cold

margaritas and munching on some choice chips and guacamole, the Costa

Mesa City Council will be throwing its own party, of sorts, which I

have dubbed El Cinco del Council.

That’s right, the fine elected officials of the City of Arts will

once again join forces tonight to select the fifth and final member

of their well-oiled, policy-making machine.

Two weeks ago, Councilmen Gary Monahan, Allan Mansoor and Chris

Steel and Councilwoman Libby Cowan narrowed it down to two (of 26)

finalists. Those two being, Westside resident and former Democrat

Eric Bever and Mr. Fish Fry himself, Mike Scheafer.

After about an hour of public comment on the subject and another

90 minutes of council deliberation, council members deadlocked on

these two fine men and postponed the final decision until tonight.

People sleep-walked away from that meeting (which let out at 1:30

a.m.) a little disappointed but relieved it was at least narrowed

down to two.

Or was it?

I have it on good authority that neither of these men will get

three votes.

“I would not be surprised if names had been looked at in the first

round wouldn’t resurface,” a council member said. “There is nothing

that says they can’t.”

Bever, who is strongly supported by fellow improvers Steel and

Mansoor, will not win a vote from Cowan or Monahan. Although Bever is

his own man, with his own ideas (many of which do not fall directly

in line with his fellow politicos) the thought of securing an

“improver” majority on the council is too thorny to be widely

supported.

On the other hand, Scheafer, who is strongly backed by Monahan,

will have his own problems gaining even two votes. Mansoor has proven

time and time again he honors loyalty over politics and seems

unwilling to budge on his good buddy Bever. The law enforcement

officer has made up his mind and, to his credit, does not compromise

his ideals.

Cowan and Steel have expressed concern about Scheafer’s leadership

abilities, both citing his abrupt resignation from the Parks and

Recreation Commission in 2000 because of a scuffle with the council

over a skateboard park. While his obstinacy move proves his devotion

to a cause, it also calls to question his willingness to compromise

and work through differences in opinion.

Steel brought this fact to my attention in one late-night phone

call, reminding me that, in fact, Scheafer has been in the middle of

controversy and was not as “vanilla” as I had pegged him.

Cowan also touched on Scheafer’s sudden resignation, saying many

people have called it to her attention.

“I have some questions for him on that,” Cowan said. “I really

believe there is a compromise candidate that can be mostly

satisfactory to everybody, other than Mike Scheafer and I expect that

to play out on Monday.”

So who are these satisfactory alternatives?

None other than Planning Commissioner Bruce Garlich and former

Planning Commissioner Walt Davenport.

“Those are the names burning up the wires,” Cowan said.

Of course the decision really lies in the hands of Steel. He could

join Mansoor in adamant support of Bever. Sort of an improve or die

attitude, which would force the decision to a special election.

Depending on how much money the city wants to spend, it could be

anytime between now and November, leaving the council in a position

for a number of split votes.

I’m sure the improvers are itching at the chance of a special

election, seeing as how they have put their candidate in office in

both the 2000 and 2002 regular elections. Imagine the outcome in a

small election that most of the electorate will neither know nor care

about.

Steel could prove his “fiscal responsibility,” save the city the

cost of a special election, promote a compromise candidate and bring

much needed stability to the Costa Mesa City Council.

The mayor pro tem has voiced support for Davenport because his

voting record on the Planning Commission has proven support for

individual property rights -- another quality Steel likes to tout.

After 22 years on the Planning Commission, I predict Davenport

will get his chance on the City Council.

That is one long stepping stone. I guess good things come to those

who wait -- for open appointment.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at [email protected].