Westside activist joins campaign race

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- A Westside activist announced Wednesday he will join the

fray for a coveted City Council seat after feeling compelled to challenge

several would-be candidates who, he said, have worrisome attitudes toward

life in Costa Mesa.

Bill Turpit, who is an active leader in the Latino Business Council

and Latino Community Network, will battle Planning Commissioners Bill

Perkins and Katrina Foley, former Councilwoman Heather Somers, political

newcomer Allan Mansoor and former candidate James Fisler for one of two

council seats up for grabs this year.

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

seat on the dais as well. Councilman Gary Monahan, who previously

announced he would retire from politics, now says he will wait until July

to decide if he will defend his seat.

While Turpit’s previous leadership efforts have been concentrated

largely on the Latino community -- mainly the Westside -- he said he does

not intend to narrowly focus his campaign.

“The diversity of this community is not on the forefront of concerns

for your average voter,” he said. “There is a lot more to it than just

what is going on [on the Westside].”

The candidate said he will emphasize respect for local businesses and

neighborhoods. Turpit will fight to preserve the small-town,

family-oriented feel of the Costa Mesa community.

“Costa Mesa is where people come when they want to start a family or a

business,” Turpit said. “It is like an incubator where people and

commerce grows.”

Despite a small but vocal minority who complain about perceived

divisiveness in the city, Turpit argues that Costa Mesa is home to a

strong and united community.

With an increase in respect, responsibility and tolerance -- by all

factions of the city -- Turpit said he believes Costa Mesa can enhance

its strengths as community members work together to tackle some of its

challenges.

“So much is going on in Costa Mesa that is positive and

solution-oriented,” Turpit said. “I have been exposed to so many really

hard-working people who strive for positive accomplishments in their

neighborhood.”

Ivan Calderon, who owns Taco Mesa on 19th Street, said he would

support Turpit 100% in the campaign.

“It’s about time,” Calderon said. “We need people like [him].”

Calderon, who is also active in Westside, said Turpit was one of the

people who encouraged him to get involved in community issues. The

business owner said he was impressed by Turpit’s aggressive attitude

regarding neighborhood obstacles.

“He doesn’t just sit back and complain, he does something,” Calderon

said.