RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

City government is the form of government that can affect you the most. It happens right outside your front door, and we all should be paying close attention to this summer’s upcoming City Council races.

Keith Curry is running for re-election in Newport Beach. His incumbency is an advantage, but it could also be his greatest liability.

Holding public office is pretty much a thankless job. You walk a fine line.

With two sides to every issue, someone’s going home unhappy when all is said and done.

The balancing act is keeping the unhappy percentage below the percentage that’s happy with you.

Depending on whom you talk to, Keith seems to have found the recipe for success here.

He tells me among his proudest accomplishments as councilman: Newport Coast Community Center, the ordinance on the group home concentration and the spheres agreement blocking JWA runway expansion.

This campaign he’ll square off against Dolores Otting once again. So far, political observers I’ve spoken to don’t anticipate others entering this particular race, but nominations don’t close until Aug. 8, and anything can happen.

Both candidates are busy gathering endorsements. Curry sent me his preliminary list June 24, and among his many impressive political endorsements is the group AirFair.

On June 26 I e-mailed AirFair Chairwoman Melinda Seely to check my facts. She wondered how I knew whom they were endorsing when they didn’t. You see, they hadn’t had their endorsement meeting yet.

Later that day, I read an e-mail from the group “Newporters Vote No” supporting Curry’s candidacy, signed by Bernie P. Svalstad, Karen E. Tringali and Jean Watt, a longtime AirFair member.

The e-mail stated “AirFair has endorsed Keith because he is an effective leader in the fight to limit flights from John Wayne Airport.”

I’m sure tongues were wagging behind the scenes as AirFair members received the same e-mail.

Overzealous supporters is nothing new. You have to love them because they do make politics far more interesting. Hillary had Bill, Obama had the Rev. Wright. Was Jean Watt Curry’s, or was she trying to force the hand of AirFair?

AirFair had its meeting June 30 and voted to split the endorsement between both candidates.

So was this a gesture to save face with Jean Watt? Or was it because both Curry and Otting have actually shown support for AirFair?

Otting has been an outspoken supporter of AirFair’s efforts for years, and Curry did sign the Borders Agreement. Dual endorsements could be the new trend as friends and organizations that know and like them both wisely hedge their bets — knowing either could win.

You see, when they ran last time they were opposed on issues like City Hall, General Plan update and Greenlight II. This time, they’re not.

Both will be touting fiscal responsibility, curbing JWA, and discussing water quality, public safety and the Oasis Senior Center.

Come November, it could be as simple as who’s perceived as the more likable personality by the public. My guess: Whoever talks the least will probably win.

BARBARA VENEZIA is the chairman of the Santa Ana Hts. Redevelopment Project Advisor Committee and was the co-creator of the cooking show “At Home on the Range” with John Crean.