Heffernan backing away from leaving

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- City Councilman John Heffernan may not leave the

council after all.

Heffernan, who announced on Tuesday that he would vacate his seat on

the City Council, said on Friday that he was reconsidering the decision.

“There are certain things that have taken place over the last 48 hours

that have caused me to question it,” Heffernan said. “I’m not sure what

I’m going to do.”

He would not give details, except to note: “I think there’s a lot of

unfinished work to be done here, and I’m not so sure that the rest of the

council’s going to get it done.”

The freshman councilman’s announcement at the end of Tuesday night’s

council meeting surprised colleagues and came as a disappointment to some

community members, especially Greenlighters who look to Heffernan to

support their slow-growth cause. Heffernan said he would step down to

spend more time with his family, but later explained that his

relationship with colleagues was also a factor.

City Councilman Steve Bromberg said he would be disappointed to see

Heffernan step down.

Though Heffernan has come to be known as an outsider on the council,

Bromberg pointed out that this is not because of Greenlight issues.

Citing several times when the City Council has voted on

Greenlight-related issues, Bromberg noted that Heffernan was never alone

in his position.

For example, plans to expand the Koll Center last year passed by only

a 4-3 vote, with Bromberg and Gary Proctor casting “no” votes along with

Heffernan.”There has never been a single Greenlight issue that has come

up that has caused that kind of rift on the council,” Bromberg said.

If Heffernan decides to step down, it’s possible the council will have

to appoint a temporary replacement. Voters would then select a successor

in the upcoming November election who would serve out the remainder of

Heffernan’s four-year term.

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

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