Sansone says ‘aloha’ to Newport

Noaki Schwartz

CORONA DEL MAR -- Phil Sansone will not be spending Christmas in the

community he has looked after for the past 33 years. On Dec. 15, he will

move to Hawaii to join his son who lives there.

“He’s like the father of Corona del Mar,” said friend Debbie Allen, who

was surprised by the news.

A committed city official, Sansone was an active Corona del Mar resident

and served on its council for eight years -- until he was 75 years old.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to have an 80-year-old man up

there in four years,” Sansone said when he stepped down from his post in

1994, after voters decided on two-year term limits for council members.

During his tenure, Sansone approved: the Circulation Improvement and the

Open Space Agreement with the Irvine Co.; the new central library; the

Balboa Bay Club modernization plan; the two Fashion Island expansion

plans; maintaining the integrity of the airport settlement agreement; and

the commercial use of El Toro Marine base issue.

One of his most important achievements, in Sansone’s view, was the 1987

update of the city’s General Plan. This document showed how each plot of

land in the city could be used.

Despite leaving his position, Sansone continued to be active and watched

the new councils closely.

“Phil has been referred to as the Mayor of Corona del Mar and rightly

so,” said Newport Beach councilman and friend Dennis O’Neil. “The city

and our sixth district will miss him greatly.”

In addition to being missed as a political figure, Sansone will also be

missed as a great friend, Allen said.

“I wish him the best in his future life with his family in Hawaii,” said

O’Neil.