Political Landscape:

Democratic challenger Beth Krom has managed to raise $151,469 for her 2010 bid to unseat U.S. Rep. John Campbell, while the congressman has amassed $425,149, according to quarterly financial statements from the Federal Election Commission.

Campbell culled dozens of contributions from the financial and insurance industries, including donations from PricewaterhouseCoopers, AFLAC and Charles Schwab, according to campaign disclosure statements.

Most of Krom’s contributions came from small, individual donors, according to disclosure statements.

MANSOOR CALLS FOLEY’S QUESTION ‘SILLY’

Tensions between Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor and Councilwoman Katrina Foley were palpable at Tuesday’s meeting as the two bickered over budget cuts to the city’s police helicopter program.

The council voted Tuesday night to slash flight hours from the helicopter program to save the city $88,369.

Known as AirBorne Law Enforcement Services, or ABLE Services, the helicopter program is a joint powers authority between Costa Mesa and Newport Beach to provide police helicopter patrols.

The Santa Ana and Irvine police departments also use the service and pay for it by the minute.

At the meeting, Foley asked if Santa Ana would pay less for the service, if it joined the powers authority. Mansoor took it upon himself to clear the matter by saying it would be “silly” of Foley to assume that Santa Ana would pay less if it was a member of the joint powers.

Mansoor asked the city staff to send a letter asking if Santa Ana and Irvine would be willing to join the powers at this time.

Foley asked to see the letter.

FACEBOOK GROUP RALLIES FIRE PIT FANS

A Facebook group called “Save the Big Corona Fire Pits” had attracted 630 members by Wednesday afternoon.

The remarks of Newport Beach Councilwoman Nancy Gardner, who recently said she would like to see the fire pits removed from Corona del Mar State Beach, sparked the formation of the group.

“Being a senior citizen and enjoying the fire pits all my life with my friends and family and now my grandchildren, I think that is taking away history of our California beaches,” wrote one fire pit fan on the group discussion board. “Please don’t take away our fun of family and friend time together, That would be the PITS!!!”

The Newport Beach City Council passed an ordinance to tighten fire ring safety restrictions earlier this month, such as a ban on burning anything other than clean wood, paper and charcoal in the fire pits.

Gardner asked city staff to look into passing an outright ban on the fire pits, after hearing that the pits cause constant problems for the city’s fire and police departments.