City OKs plan to send aid to military unit

Costa Mesa will sponsor a U.S. Army regiment in Iraq, a decision that wasn’t made without a brief skirmish in City Hall.

Before the unanimous vote was cast at Tuesday’s council meeting, there was some discussion by Councilman Eric Bever about whether the choice of regiments was fair. The reason? One of the 94 members of Company D, 2-25 Aviation Regiment is a brother of Councilwoman Katrina Foley, who requested the sponsorship.

Bever said a resident had criticized Foley’s request.

“The criticism was that the council person gets to pick the company,” Bever said. “While it may be a petty criticism, it has some validity. While I support [Foley’s] concept, we should open it up to requests from the community … that will give an image of fairness in the community.”

Foley said she was insulted by Bever’s comments and that what she was proposing was not a matter of fairness.

“I am completely offended…. I really resent that it even was brought up because it’s coming from me,” Foley said.

She said the support of donations would be not only for her brother, but also for the 93 men he is with in Iraq.

Foley’s brother, Bruce, was deployed to Iraq in July. His unit is responsible for maintaining the Army’s Black Hawk helicopters.

Foley said many cities in Orange County are sponsoring military units.

Those cities include Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo.

“I just want to express how much they would appreciate your support,” Foley said. “Even if it’s just a letter … toothpaste, baby wipes because they’re out in the desert. Anything that sends some comfort from home is so much appreciated by them.”

During the presentation on the sponsorship, Foley became emotional when reading a letter from her brother. In it, he thanks the city in advance for its support.

Bever and Mayor Allan Mansoor suggested Foley work with Taffy Dalby, a Costa Mesa resident who started Operation Interdependence, a group that supports deployed military personnel.

Foley said working with other groups who support the troops is part of her request, as well.

Councilman Gary Monahan said the city should be supporting all Costa Mesa employees who have relatives in the military fighting in the Middle East.

“We need to take care of our employees and council member Foley is an employee,” Monahan said.

He also asked city staff to post a bulletin on the city’s website to find out how many city employees have relatives in the military in combat.

At the meeting, Bever said he had not meant to insult Foley.

“I’m looking at this from the standpoint of the public and their perception of things,” Bever said. “I don’t have any problem supporting your brother’s regiment. I think it’s a well-intended program. I just think we have to approach things very evenhandedly as city leaders.”