MILLENNIUM MOMENT

Costa Mesa politics have long been influenced by the efforts of Arlene

Schafer, who started her civil service career on the planning commission

in 1974. She served both as a city councilwoman and as mayor through the

‘80s and was executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. Schafer was

the chamber’s “Woman of the Year” in 1977.

Schafer’s activity in the community has, if anything, increased with

time. She now serves as the vice president of the Costa Mesa Sanitary

District, the president of Mesa Pride, the chair of the redevelopment

agency advisory committee, and as a leader of or contributor to numerous

other organizations.

“I sit on 19 boards right now, so I’m kind of busy,” Schafer said.

MILLENNIUM MOMENT celebrates the people who have made a major

contribution to the Newport-Mesa community during this century.