A council seat waits to be filled

We’re puzzled as to why Councilmen Alan Mansoor, Gary Monahan and

Chris Steel didn’t vote to appoint former Mayor Linda Dixon to fill

Karen Robinson’s City Council seat at Monday’s meeting.

Dixon was the runner-up in the November election. She put out the

effort to campaign, which Mansoor, Monahan and Steel all know is a

very difficult process. She came in only slightly behind Mansoor in

the election; the voters preferred Dixon over the two other

candidates. Had there been three seats open, Dixon would be on the

dais now.

Perhaps “improvers” Mansoor and Steel don’t feel Dixon represents

enough of their views on improving the Westside. We wonder why, with

her record of:

* Voting against putting the Children’s Hospital of Orange County

clinic at Rea School.

* Proposing the new regulations prohibiting parking RVs on city

streets, something that has helped our neighborhood tremendously.

* Campaigning on a strong platform of Westside improvement,

including infrastructure upgrades, and creation of a neighborhood

shopping center at 19th and Placentia with a major grocery store.

* Voting to approve a study regarding rezoning the Westside bluffs

from industrial to residential.

* Putting group care homes for drug and alcohol treatment, many of

which are on the Westside, under much stricter observation and

standards.

* Being a longtime, hands-on supporter of Costa Mesa seniors,

primarily via her extensive work at the Senior Center on West 19th

Street, the heart of the Westside.

How does this compare with whomever the “Improvers” are

considering?

For heaven’s sake, guys, just because Councilwoman Libby Cowan

thinks it’s a good idea (according to the Daily Pilot article)

doesn’t automatically mean it isn’t! Dixon will work hard for

Westside improvement, she knows what she’s doing, and she knows how

to work with you.

CHRIS & MARY FEWEL

Costa Mesa

Having lived in Costa Mesa since 1966 and having voted in every

election since that time, it saddens me to recognize that only a

handful of past members of the City Council remain in my memory with

some fine exceptions. I’m sorry to say mediocrity and cronyism are

qualities that stand out unpleasantly from some past councils.

However, to this day, two ex-mayors have impressed me as persons

who would do credit to any public offices they might occupy -- Peter

Buffa and Sandra Genis. Both of them still reveal their thoughts on

public matters and their good sense still stands out from the crowd.

I don’t know what the rules are regarding their possible return to

the City Council, even if only for a year and a half, but if such an

appointment is allowed, and if either of them is willing to serve, it

would be one of the best moves this present council could make -- if

they, the members, can live with obvious excellence in their midst,

that is.

ART STANLOW

Costa Mesa

I believe you had two great candidates to fill Karen Robinson’s

seat on the council: Planning Commissioner Katrina Foley and former

Planning Commissioner Walter Davenport, two great known figures of

the city.

I think either would fill the job wonderfully. I hope City Manager

Allan Roeder is aware of their talents and their concern for the

city. Put them at the top of the list. I am sure they would be great

for the seniors, also.

ANNE HOGAN-SHERESHVSKY

Costa Mesa

I believe the best method is to choose the candidate who received

the next highest number of votes after Karen Robinson in the 2000

election.

LILLIAN GORBATY

Costa Mesa

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Former Councilwoman Heather Somers was the next

highest vote-getter in the 2000 election.

As I type this, I’m feeling sleep-deprived because I stayed up

until after 1 a.m. Tuesday watching the City Council meeting, waiting

for our leaders to finally tackle the issue of how to replace

departing Mayor Karen Robinson.

The battle lines were clearly drawn when, on two successive 3-2

votes -- boys against the girls -- the male majority on the council

first wisely rejected Libby Cowan’s attempt to have former mayor

Linda Dixon appointed, then chose a method of appointment which will

involve selection from a pool of interested candidates.

One can only hope that the four remaining council members will

keep the city’s best interests in mind as they go about their

deliberations. If they fail to appoint a replacement for Robinson by

the May 15 deadline, the state law requiring an election will

automatically kick in. That will leave the city with a four-person

council until December, which does not bode well for our community.

Having watched this council perform over the past few months, it’s

easy to anticipate many deadlocked votes on very important issues.

So, now we wait and watch to see if our leaders will take the high

road and do what is best for our city. Will they exercise the wisdom

we all hoped for when they were elected and select a person with

vision, intellectual maturity and experience for the council vacancy,

or will they attempt to insert a political crony, campaign manager or

someone still wet behind the ears into the position? Will they select

a person who can contribute to the dialogue on important issues and

build consensus when necessary, or will they choose a person that

will simply be a voting echo?

Adding to the collective community angst is the specter of Chris

Steel as mayor, although city policy does not necessarily require him

to be automatically elevated to that position. In fact, it is

entirely possible that the most recent appointee to the council could

end up being a compromise candidate for mayor.

Wouldn’t that be fun?

GEOFF WEST

Costa Mesa