Commission chairwoman plans council run

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Planning Commission Chairwoman Katrina Foley has become

fond of her stately, oversized chair on the dais in City Hall.

It is the title on the name placard in front of it she wants to

change.

Foley, who was also strongly considering a run at the Newport-Mesa

Unified School District board, announced Wednesday she will run for a

seat on the City Council in November.

“I really grappled with which one I would run for, but I am so

entrenched in city issues that it just seemed right,” Foley said.

Foley abandoned the quest for Jim Ferryman’s soon-to-be-empty seat on

the school board to battle a handful of candidates for a coveted spot on

the City Council.

Fellow Planning Commissioner Bill Perkins, former Councilwoman Heather

Somers, political newcomer Allan Mansoor, former candidates Joel Faris

and James Fisler, and community activist Bill Turpit have all expressed

interest in two council seats up for grabs this year.

Mayor Linda Dixon has said she will fight wholeheartedly to keep her

seat on the dais. Councilman Gary Monahan, who previously announced he

would retire from politics, said he will wait until July to decide if he

will defend his seat.

Foley said she feels she can have a greater effect on improving

education in the city while on the City Council, rather than as a school

board member. She said she would focus on working with other proactive

council members to forge a better relationship between the two governing

bodies.

“Education is crucial to the function of the city, and we need to

approach it from a city perspective,” Foley said. “Clearly my focus is

going to be on enhancing education collaboration.”

Ruth Delaney in the city clerk’s office confirmed Foley’s filing of

official state forms that declare her intent to run.

Bruce Garlich, a fellow planning commissioner, said he would miss

Foley on the commission but had full confidence in her leadership

capabilities.

“Something I know she has given a lot of thought to and I expect her

to put on a strong campaign,” Garlich said. “I’m glad that she is doing

it and think she has a good chance at being successful.”