Gone, but not forgotten

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- He has spent more than nine years on the City Council

and six years on the Planning Commission, but Councilman Joe Erickson

said he doesn’t think he is someone the city will remember.

“The best honor of my life, aside from my wife marrying me, was being

elected to City Council,” said Erickson, 43, whose last scheduled council

session -- at least from behind the dais -- was Monday. However, if the

council election results are not certified soon, he may sit in on one

more meeting.

“I don’t know that I’ll be remembered; I’m not involved in the city

for recognition and I’m not worried about it. But in my heart I will know

that I tried to make the community better.”

But community leaders said Erickson is a memorable person.

“That’s just Joe,” said City Manager Allan Roeder. “He’s not into

getting awards and accolades; he’s just focused on doing the very best

for the community. That’s kind of a rare quality in politics, generally,

and Joe will absolutely be remembered. If there’s anybody who ever goes

out and plays soccer at the [Farm Sports Complex] who doesn’t remember

that Joe was instrumental in making that happen, they are really missing

out.”

Roeder said Erickson distinguished himself by returning all his phone

calls, meeting with people, always doing his homework, asking a lot of

questions and keeping an open mind.

Councilwoman Linda Dixon, who has worked with Erickson for about 10

years, laughed when she heard his humble comment.

“He’ll probably be remembered as the most compassionate mayor and

council person the city of Costa Mesa has ever had,” she said. “I’ll miss

him. He has had some very sensible thoughts and he made certain that

everybody on the council got the opportunity to voice what was important

to them. He’s also got a great sense of humor. Even in our darkest

moments we could all share a laugh, thanks to Joe.”

Erickson, who works two jobs in addition to his city service, said

involvement with the city has been a family effort. His entire family

participates in community cleanups and tree plantings, and his wife,

Alesia, and son, Jim, are involved in community organizations of their

own.

“Each of my kids has learned what it’s like growing up in a community

and each has learned how to answer the phone when angry people call,”

Erickson said. “I’m never home on weekdays and on weekends there are

always a lot of calls to return. I’m very proud of the way my children

are turning out. My wife did a great job raising them while I was away,

but it hasn’t been the easiest way to raise a family and I’d like to get

more involved.”

His wife said Erickson has been a good dad, despite the lack of a

physical presence.

“We’ve all grown and learned from his involvement in the city,” she

said. “We’ve learned to understand the different people out there and

everybody is valid. We also learned that people with differing ideals can

come together and have a very fine community. But it will make a

difference to have him home. He’s put in his time and it’s somebody

else’s turn.”

Aside from a desire to spend more time with his family, Erickson said

he decided to retire from the council to keep a promise to voters. Term

limits were imposed on the council members elected in 1996, but the

limits don’t apply to those who were already in office, like Erickson.

“I didn’t want to be here so long I lost perspective,” Erickson said.

“I can’t say I’ll never run again. I still have energy and enthusiasm.

But if I ran again, I think in four years I would be a wreck.”

Erickson said he plans to remain active in the community, spend time

with his family and try to run every morning.

He said he will miss working with other council members, staff and

residents and added that he has no regrets.

“I’m proud of the fact that I had an open mind and tried not to be

cynical,” he said. “At times it was hard, especially as long as I’ve been

doing it, but I tried to look at anybody who speaks or calls as having a

fresh point. I’ve returned all my phone calls on time, read all the city

reports, met with everyone who wanted to meet. I can tell the voters with

a straight face I did my best. They may not have agreed with all my

decisions, but I put a lot of thought into them and did what I thought

was right.”

PROFILE

o7 JOE ERICKSONf7

Age: 43

Occupation: president of I.C. Meyers Properties, Inc. and manager of

the Andiamo Luggage Co. board of directors

Family: Alesia, his wife of 21 years; sons Jim, 17, and Dave, 16;

daughters Katie, 14 and Emma, 3

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton

Community activities: Served more than nine years on the City Council

and six years on the Planning Commission; was a founding board member for

Save Our Youth and is a member of the Navigator organization for fathers

with children in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District