A tough attorney to replace

It may sound strange, but every time a plane from John Wayne Airport

flies over their heads, Newport Beach residents should thank City

Atty. Bob Burnham. Why? Because without his expert legal advice and

hours, if not years, of hard work, the skies above the city would be

far more crowded.

Burnham, who has been working for the city since 1980 and

announced last week his plan to retire next spring, was instrumental

in establishing the original John Wayne Settlement Agreement of 1985.

In the last several years, he was again central to preserving flight

restrictions at the airport, restrictions that nowadays are

impossible to establish because federal regulations.

During his tenure, he also has played leading legal roles as the

city developed stricter water-quality and other environmental

standards. He has frequently been the mediator between the city and

the state on a host of issues, most notably those involving the Back

Bay and harbor.

Of course, two decades with a city cannot be free of controversial

issues, and Burnham has had to handle his share, most notably the

investigation into former Police Chief Arb Campbell and the aftermath

of the embezzlement of city funds by former utilities director Bob

Dixon. And Burnham was unafraid to wade into other touchy territory,

whether it be the city’s Library Foundation or its Greenlight law.

But through those issues, as well as the grand successes, Burnham

has managed to build relationships with other city staff members and

the public. He has consistently found ways to bring people together

to find solutions to the city’s biggest problems.

City leaders will have a difficult task in replacing him. Not only

is the role of city attorney a critical one, but this city attorney

has been a model for how the job should be done.