Newport Beach gets its first spokeswoman

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- For now, Gail McElroy is still sort of homeless. City

officials have set up a temporary office for their first public

information officer in the human resources department because her

permanent quarters in the old employee lounge still needs work, such as

breaking a hole in the wall for a window to let in some light.

But McElroy, 37, who began her job Wednesday, doesn’t really seem to

have time to decorate anyway.

“I’m learning everything right now,” she said when asked about a large

“Newport Beach street names” binder lying on her desk. “I’m like a

sponge.”

McElroy’s arrival became possible after City Council members approved

the position in February. City officials have budgeted $122,848 for the

public information office for the 2001-02 fiscal year, which begins in

July. The sum includes McElroy’s salary and about $60,000 to pay for

publications.

While she will spend a large portion of her time on getting out the

word about the pending general plan update process, McElroy also will

serve as the city’s spokeswoman, as the liaison for residents and

business people, and provide city employees with information.

“We’re excited to have her here,” said Assistant City Manager Dave

Kiff, who will be McElroy’s supervisor.

After reviewing 95 applications for the job, he said, the selection

committee was most impressed by McElroy.

A familiarity with Newport Beach and a history in working with some

type of public agency were high on the city’s wish list.

“And Gail had all of those things,” Kiff said.

McElroy grew up in Dana Point and lives in Irvine with her husband,

Kevin, and two stepdaughters, but spent the first six summers of her life

on Balboa Island.

The ferry rides across the bay to the Fun Zone and frozen chocolate

bananas left a lasting impression, and McElroy said that she’s returned

to the city frequently since then.

Professionally, she worked in public relations departments for

businesses before directing similar offices for Coastline Community

College and Cypress College for nine years.

The issues facing colleges might be different from those in Newport

Beach, but “the basic premise is the same,” McElroy said. “You’re

responsible to the taxpayers, who are supporting you.”

That’s why she will spend a lot of her time meeting with residents

over the coming weeks.

“I’m really just planning on getting out, just getting immersed,” she

said.

McElroy said one of her biggest challenges will be to disseminate

information throughout the city and plans to do so in an open and honest

way.

Public information officers “often get a bad rap for being spin

doctors,” she said. “But it’s more about communication, clarification and

getting out a consistent message.”

FYI

Gail McElroy may be reached at (949) 644-3031 or by e-mail at o7

gmeclroy@city.newport-beach.ca.us.

f7