Debay to be named president of county League of Cities

NEWPORT BEACH -- Is there any more Jan Debay can take on? Residents may

pose this question to the city councilwoman after today, when Debay is

sworn in as the next president of the Orange County League of Cities.

“I am thrilled,” Debay said. “I’ve been working on larger issues for

quite a while.”

Since she moved to Newport in 1979, Debay said she’s been an active

community member. She served on the planning commission for five years.

And in 1992, Debay, a former nurse and real estate agent, changed hats

when she was elected to Newport’s City Council.

“I thought there was no way I could do both and do a good job,” she said.

Since then, she has gradually taken on more and more responsibility. With

the addition of this recent appointment, she will be serving on four

different councils: Newport City Council, the Sanitation District of

Orange County, the Housing Committee of the Southern California Assn. of

Governments and now as president of the Orange County League of Cities.

“I’ll be interacting with all the cities in the county with city

councils,” she said. “We’ll be working on regional issues that benefit

the county and local government.”

Her fellow council members are proud of Debay and will fly up to San Jose

to watch her get sworn in, followed by a celebratory dinner.

“I think it’s exciting,” Councilman Gary Adams said. “I think its going

to be great for Newport and our voice and what goes on in the county.”

SL -- Noaki Schwartz