Mayor’s seat in Ridgeway’s sight

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Mayor Gary Adams will take the city’s helm for the

last time next Tuesday when the council will vote on who will replace

him.

Tod Ridgeway, who is now vice mayor, is a likely successor, some

council members say. But the system, which allows any council member to

nominate a colleague for the job, leaves open the possibility of

surprises.

“I’m hopeful,” Ridgeway said. “But you never know until it’s done.”

Councilman Dennis O’Neil, who was mayor in 1999, agreed.

“The criteria is: There is no criteria,” he said.

To allow most council members a shot at the job, the mayor serves just

one year. This approach eliminates some of nastiness of years past, said

City Councilman Dennis O’Neil, who was mayor in 1999.

“Until about six years ago, there was more competition for the job

because people usually served for two years,” O’Neil said. “By rotating

the position of mayor on an annual basis, it allows more of the council

people an opportunity to serve as mayor.”

In addition to presiding over City Council meetings, the mayor also

helps decide what will be on meeting agendas. The mayor also acts as a

figurehead at events like ribbon-cutting ceremonies, school openings and

community meetings.

“It’s pretty important who you pick,” Councilman John Heffernan said.

“They have a lot of influence.”

The mayor is paid $1,329.25 a month, compared to the other council

members’ $936.91, with cost-of-living increases applied annually.

Though some are confident that Ridgeway will be the next mayor, the

next vice mayor is anybody’s guess.

It’s unlikely anyone would nominate O’Neil or Adams, because both have

already been mayor. O’Neil said he would not accept for this reason. And

Councilwoman Norma Glover will leave office next year because of the

city’s eight-year term limit. That leaves a playing field of freshmen

Councilmen Heffernan, Steven Bromberg and Gary Proctor.

With Heffernan’s strong pro-Greenlight position making him a minority

on the council, he could be the least-likely candidate of the three.

“I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be me,” Heffernan said.

Greenlight is the city’s slow-growth initiative passed last year to

require special elections for any development project large enough to

require an amendment to the city’s general plan.

After council members vote in a new mayor Tuesday, that person will

take office immediately, beginning by taking over chairing the meeting.

Council members at this time will also have the opportunity to change the

chairs they sit in, with priority given to those who have served longest.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .