Time to choose the best person

In finding a replacement for Councilman Gary Proctor, Newport Beach’s

six city councilmen face a decision of greater importance than just

filling a seat for 13 months.

They will crown one West Newport resident with incumbency, making

next year’s election a far greater challenge for others wishing to

lead the city. They will send a message about who they think best

represents the city -- a decision sure to upset some end of the

city’s political spectrum. And they may provide a glimpse of what

issues or problems the city is set to face, much as Proctor’s

candidacy and election demonstrated how important airport issues were

then for Newport Beach.

The councilmen acted smartly Tuesday night by quickly opening up

the seat to applicants. Building a pool of the interested is the best

first step to ensure that everyone gets a fair look.

The next steps all need to share a single characteristic: They

must be open and public. There can be no questions about why they

choose the eventual winner. We are confident that under Mayor Steve

Bromberg’s watch, the process will be open and fair.

We also are confident that the councilmen’s goal is clear to them.

They need to pick the one they believe is the best person for the

job, someone who represents West Newport residents’ interests and

will be dedicated to making that community and the city at large a

better place to live, work and play.

We support nothing less. That said, we do point out a curiosity:

On a council that has historically included strong women leaders, not

the least of them Jan Debay from West Newport, there is no female

voice. The council should at least be cognizant of that.

There also is no one who, obviously, anyway, represents the city’s

younger residents. Councilman Gary Adams is the youngest member, at

48. Perhaps a more youthful perspective would be an asset, especially

from the most notoriously youthful part of town.

These will be just a few of the questions and attributes the

councilmen will have to weigh during the next weeks. We urge them to

consider them all carefully.