Adams appears headed for mayor’s seat

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- In the past, the fight to become mayor was as

difficult as Al Gore’s struggle to win Florida, and it had even more sore

losers.

But this year, it appears, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Adams will likely have

an easy ride to become the city’s top elected representative.

Adams, who served as Mayor John Noyes’ stand-in during the past year,

appears to have the votes to move over one chair to the mayor’s seat when

council members elect their leader Dec. 12.

“I don’t see any reason that he should not be the mayor,” said

Councilman-elect Gary Proctor, adding that he planned to vote for Adams.

“He’s done a good job as vice mayor.”

Along with Proctor, Councilmen Dennis O’Neil and Tod Ridgeway and

Councilwoman Norma Glover said they’d support Adams as the next mayor.

Adams could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

While he said during last year’s mayoral selection that he didn’t have

enough time to do the job justice, he added that he was interested in

becoming the council’s presiding officer in the future.

A largely ceremonial position, the city’s council members choose the

mayor for a one-year term.

The city charter states the mayor “shall have the primary but not

exclusive responsibility for interpreting the policies, programs and

needs of the city government to the people.”

City Manager Homer Bludau said while the mayor doesn’t have any more

say than his or her colleagues behind the dais, the mayor’s influence

depended on his or her outlook on the job.

“It really depends on what the person makes of the office,” said

Bludau, adding that he spends more time discussing council meeting

agendas and official engagements with the mayor than other council

members.

As vice mayor, Adams would have a head start above other contenders

for the position, Bludau said.

“But certainly nothing is guaranteed,” he said, adding that outgoing

Councilman Tom Thomson lost his mayoral bid to Noyes last year despite

occupying the mayor pro tem post.

O’Neil, who served as mayor in 1999, said those interested in the job

must realize it demands a lot of extra time.

“It takes a certain skill to conduct these public meetings,” O’Neil

said. “It is important for the mayor to be able to manage City Council

meetings and allow the opportunity for people to come before us to speak,

but not let the meeting get away from us.”

O’Neil added that during his time as mayor, he usually attended one or

two events during the week and a couple more on weekends.

“You can do this every day,” he said, adding that he attended

breakfasts, luncheons and dinner meetings, special athletic events,

school ceremonies and church events, among others. “My God, it just goes

on and on.”

While council members receive a $903.47 stipend per month, the mayor

gets slightly more, $1,281.81, to cover expenses from official

engagements.

Although newly elected council members are not precluded from becoming

mayor, O’Neil said it had never happened before.

Councilman-elect Steve Bromberg agreed that senior council members

were probably better suited for the position.

“I think people who have some experience on the City Council are prime

choices,” said Bromberg, adding that he had not decided whom he would

support for the job.

Councilman-elect John Heffernan could not be reached for comment

Wednesday.

Glover said she doesn’t expect ever to be Newport Beach’s mayor.

“It’s not one of my ambitions,” she explained. “It’s a matter of

balance in life, and I’m pleased with what my balance is.”

Glover added that she preferred to work on issues before the council

that she found stimulating, as well as continuing her involvement with

regional bodies such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Unlike Glover, Ridgeway kept his options open for the future.

“I’ll just wait my turn,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t mind

replacing Adams as vice mayor. “It’s fair to say that I would like to get

that job.”