Last-minute jockeying

It seems everyone wants to be part of the election action, with the

48th Congressional District special primary just days away. Colorado

Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Republican, jumped in Tuesday with an

endorsement of American Independent Party candidate Jim Gilchrist.

A statement from Gilchrist’s campaign points out that Tancredo

chairs the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. Gilchrist has

been battling illegal immigration since before the U.S. House seat

was open, and he’s made it a central issue in the campaign.

Not surprisingly, Republican state Sen. John Campbell’s campaign

took aim at leading GOP opponent and former Assemblywoman Marilyn

Brewer this week, accusing her of “doctoring news articles and lying

about her opponents” in a mail piece that criticizes Campbell.

Brewer was also under fire from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.,

a group endorsing Campbell, for sending a mailer that says she worked

with Jarvis to reform the state tax system.

“Marilyn Brewer had nothing to do with Proposition 13, and she

knows it. She owes people an apology for distorting the record and

claiming credit for the hard work of our organization’s founder,”

association President John Coupal said in a statement.

And in other endorsement news, Democratic candidate Steve Young

announced an endorsement from Progressive Democrats of America, a

group with chapters in 34 states.

Brewer announced an endorsement from Ocean Champions, a national

group that advocates protecting the oceans.

Newport considers border crossing for city hall

This just in: Newport Beach could be moving to Irvine.

It’s true -- Newport Beach City Council members on Tuesday said

they might consider relocating city operations across the border

while they’re building a new city hall. That is, if it’s cheaper to

lease space outside the city limits. And if they decide to build the

$46-million civic center.

“I’m just saying there’s a lot more space in a close perimeter

that we ought to think about,” Mayor John Heffernan told the council.

Most council members said they’d consider office space in another

city if it’s not far away and has a significantly lower price, but

Councilwoman Leslie Daigle disagreed, saying that having people drive

out of town to get a permit “might be pushing it.”

Forum to present two

plans for Marinapark

The Newport Beach City Council hasn’t scheduled further discussion

of Marinapark, but if you want to hear more about the city-owned

waterfront property, drop by the Oct. 12 meeting of Speak Up Newport.

Two plans will be presented -- one for a public park with a sailing

center and small-boat launching facilities, and another for a marina

with about 40 berths for large yachts, a guest dock and park

amenities.

A reception begins at 5 p.m. and the program at 6 p.m. at the

Newport Beach Yacht Club at Bayside Drive and Jamboree Road. For

information, call (949) 224-2266.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers government and politics. She may be

reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at

[email protected].