Council hopefuls kick off political season

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT-MESA -- It’s the first day of the political season and

seven potential candidates have picked up nomination papers for city

council seats up for grabs in both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach this

November.

Newport Beach, with its three open seats, has had a rather meager

showing with only a few residents visiting the city clerk’s office.

“Based on the number of people that either stopped in or called prior

to the opening of nominations, it seems rather quiet,” said City Clerk

LaVonne Harkless. “Most candidates like to pull papers early, especially

incumbents, anticipating that it may discourage others.”

Indeed, Newport Beach Councilman Tom Thomson is up for reelection and

so far is the only person in his district to pull papers.

Although Newport Beach Councilwoman Jan Debay will be termed out, not

a single resident has made a bid for her seat.

In May, Mayor John Noyes announced he wouldn’t run for reelection,

prompting residents in District 5 to scramble around for a suitable

candidate.

Community activist and attorney Steve Bromberg was heavily lobbied and

was the first person to pull papers for District 5. He was followed by

retired engineer Robert Schoonmaker. Both candidates announced their

intention to run earlier this month.

The Costa Mesa City Council will also have three vacant seats. The

terms of council members Libby Cowan, Joe Erickson and Heather Somers

terms are up this fall.Erickson has said he will not run again, while

both Cowan and Somers will probably seek another term in office.

Unlike Newport Beach, Costa Mesa’s council seats are not limited to a

certain city district. The positions are open to any Costa Mesa resident.

So far, four community members have pulled papers, including Cowan.

The other city official who has made a bid to run is Thomas Sutro, vice

chairman of the Planning Commission, who works in real estate management.

William Lloyd, who in real estate sales, and Michael Clifford, a small

business manager, have also pulled papers in Costa Mesa.

The deadline for candidates to turn in their nomination papers is Aug.

11.