Political Landscape: Rep. Rouda to hold town hall in Laguna Beach

U.S. Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Laguna Beach) will hold his first town hall meeting of the year on Saturday at Laguna Beach High School.

During the hour-long public event, which starts at 2 p.m. at the school’s theater at 625 Park Ave., Rouda will review his first year in office and take questions about his work both in Orange County and the nation’s capital.

To RSVP, visit bit.ly/2tVDpNU.

Newport seeks applicants for housing committee

The city of Newport Beach is seeking applicants interested in serving on its newly formed Housing Element Advisory Committee — which will offer guidance to the City Council on matters related to state housing mandates.

The 10-member panel will consist of nine residents and a non-voting council designee. Residents with experience in environmental law, housing development, architectural or land-use planning, and transportation or circulation planning are encouraged to apply.

Applications are due by Jan. 25. For more information, or to apply, visit newportbeachca.gov/vacancy.

Newport council members formed the committee Tuesday as part of an overall response to a determination from the Southern California Assn. of Governments that the city needs to plan for 4,832 new homes over the next decade as part of a broader effort to address regional housing needs.

Candidates to speak at N.B. Democratic Club meeting

Josh Newman and Ashleigh Aitken — who are seeking seats in the state Senate and on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, respectively — will be the featured speakers at Tuesday’s meeting of the Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave. in Corona del Mar. Admission is free for club members, $10 for guests with an RSVP and $15 for walk-ins.

Aitken — a Democrat who serves on the Orange County Fair Board, which oversees the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa — is challenging incumbent Supervisor Don Wagner, a Republican, in the race to represent the Third Supervisorial District.

That district is one of five in Orange County and includes Anaheim Hills, Irvine, Orange, Tustin, Villa Park and Yorba Linda, as well as some unincorporated areas.

Newman, also a Democrat, is running to reclaim the 29th Senate District seat he held from 2016 to 2018 — when he was recalled from office after being targeted for supporting an increase in the state gas tax.

He will face off against his replacement, Sen. Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar); and Joseph Cho, another Democrat. The district covers portions of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties — including all or some of Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, Placentia and Yorba Linda.

For more information about Tuesday’s meeting or to RSVP, visit NBWDC.org or call (949) 423-6468.

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