EDITORIAL -- Our Costa Mesa choices
With 11 Costa Mesa City Council candidates -- including two incumbents
-- vying for three seats, this is the kind of race that could go in any
number of directions.
There are important projects, such as the West Side revitalization
effort and Fairview Park, that are at hand. There is the question of how
to unite the community, which grows ever more diverse. There is the issue
of whether to widen 17th Street.
To guide the city through, the right route to take is voting for Libby
Cowan, Thomas Sutro and Heather Somers.
Cowan, who has been on the council for four years, has been both a
leader and a team player. She sees the larger picture, understanding that
every local issue can ultimately have a regional effect. Also, she looks
at all sides before making a decision -- a good quality in a person, a
crucial one in a council member.
She knows the ins and outs of city government as an elected official
-- she also served on the Planning Commission -- and as a city official
in Irvine, where she works as the community services superintendent.
Sutro is also someone who knows city government. He has served for
four years on the Planning Commission and has demonstrated that he does
not just rubber-stamp development projects. He would bring to the council
a necessary business perspective -- something that often gets lost.
One concern is, however, that Sutro may hold business interests a bit
higher than residents’ issues. But he has vowed to weigh the benefits to
commerce against the quality of life for residents. The Daily Pilot --
and very likely Costa Mesa voters too -- will hold Sutro accountable,
making sure he keeps his promise to maintain a balance.
The third endorsement was most difficult. Before Somers was first
elected four years ago, she was a fiery force to be reckoned with. During
her term, there have only been sparks of the former Somers. It was there
in the way she has fought against small-lot developments. It was there in
her opposition to the Harbor Center because of her concern for area
residents.
But she was originally voted in four years ago because of the
outspoken, strong-minded candidate -- and community activist -- she was
then. Somers still has that in her, and perhaps she will show it in the
coming four years.
Someone who does have that fire is Karen Robinson. She definitely has
the motivation and passion for protecting residents’ interests, and she
should stay involved in the community. Perhaps after a couple of years of
getting to know all of Costa Mesa, she would be a perfect fit on the
council.
Another candidate who impressed us was Joel Faris. Faris has no
previous experience in city government, but he seems to genuinely have
the city’s best interest at heart.
We hope Faris will continue to be a strong voice for the West Side and
the Latino community. If he continues on that path, he could very well
develop into someone Costa Mesa would be lucky to have on the City
Council.
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