Protests denounce war

Congressional candidate Steve Young among those who held vigil for 2000th military death in Iraq.Anti-war protests were held around Orange County Wednesday, recognizing the reported 2000th American military death in Iraq, and Steve Young, Democratic candidate for the 48th Congressional District, made the rounds to several events.

He didn’t visit Costa Mesa, but Young planned to stop by protests in Orange, Irvine, Laguna Hills and Laguna Beach.

It was a busy day for Young, a Newport Beach attorney who is running for the open seat vacated by former Rep. Chris Cox. He also was scheduled to attend a protest of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance in Irvine. Young said he’s shown up at several of the governor’s visits to oppose the Nov. 8 special election.

“I don’t like the $60-million election that he’s shoving down everyone’s throat to advance his own agenda at the expense of the state’s working families,” Young said.

The people he talks to are angry because they think the election is a waste of money, Young said, and they also are upset about the war in Iraq.

“I sense that the public is really anxious for an end to this; they are frustrated that we’re not wanted there, that there seems to be no clear direction,” he said.

A press release about Young attending Wednesday’s protests proclaims him “the only real candidate in this race with a strong anti-war policy,” but he said he’s not using the events to draw attention to his candidacy.

“I would go if I wasn’t in a campaign,” Young said.

GETTING READY FOR

A LONG ELECTION

Political junkies agree it’s never too early to talk about the next election, and in Costa Mesa, people are already mulling candidacies for the City Council, which will have one open seat and one councilman up for reelection in 2006.

Gary Monahan, who was first elected to the council in 1994, is termed out in 2006, and Mayor Allan Mansoor will have to run again if he wants to keep his seat.

In November 2004, two incumbents were unseated in a field of 12 candidates. Next year’s contest isn’t likely to draw as many hopefuls or voters because in a nonpresidential year fewer people pay attention to politics. But planning commissioner Bruce Garlich, who lost by the slimmest of margins to Eric Bever last year, is considering a second run.

“I just hope to be able to run a more effective campaign, having done it once,” Garlich said.

“Two years from now, there could easily be three incumbents running.... That would be an entirely different scenario than having an open seat.”

Since the last election, Garlich has continued to serve on the city’s planning commission, the Costa Mesa schools foundation and the senior center board.

Having retired from his career as an aerospace engineer, Garlich said he now wants to pitch in for the community by serving on the council.

“There are a lot of things that go on in this town that need people to work on them, and I have the time to do that,” he said.

Planning Commissioner James Fisler also said he’s considering a run but would be willing to back another candidate who is a strong conservative, if any enter the race.20051027ip07huknCOURTENAY NEARBURG / DAILY PILOT(LA)Mike Shrubsole stands vigil at the corner of Bristol Street and Alton Avenue to honor soldiers that have died.