Costa Mesa voters must choose carefully

Geoff West

The Aug. 18 editorial (“We’ll just have to get by with less this

year”) left me more than a little depressed. As a frequent critic of

the Costa Mesa City Council’s leadership, the specter of even “less”

on the dais is painful to even contemplate.

I, too, was disappointed that Joel Faris, Heather Somers, Bill

Turpit and others whose names had been frequently mentioned as

possible candidates chose not to run this time around. Each could

have brought a little different slant and energy to matters affecting

our city.

All is not lost, however. Between now and the elections in

November we, the residents of Costa Mesa, have an opportunity to

flesh out the remaining candidates, to get a clear focus on their

positions on the pressing issues facing the city and then make our

feelings known in the voting booth. Allan Mansoor, of course, is at a

severe disadvantage because the other four candidates all have an

opportunity to display their skills -- or lack thereof -- at least

twice a month as they conduct the city’s business. For him to

overcome the recent negative press associated with the alleged

controversy revolving around his postings on the now-slumbering

Concerned Costa Mesa Citizens Web site will take a mighty effort on

the part of his supporters. One thing is sure -- he can probably

forget about getting the gay and lesbian vote.

It is my hope that, between now and the election, the residents

will have several opportunities to attend candidate forums -- or at

least view them on Channel 74 -- so an informed choice can be made

when they get to the voting booth. While nothing is certain, it does

appear that Gary Monahan’s bid for re-election has broad support in

the community. I am left with the nagging feeling that the contest

for the remaining seat may come down to a choice between “the lesser

of two evils,” with Mayor Linda Dixon and her clone, Katrina Foley,

on one hand and the neophytes, Mansoor and Bill Perkins, on the

other.

As the issues are debated over the next few weeks, each of us must

pay close attention and attempt to ascertain the true depth and

intentions of each candidate -- not an easy task. If we don’t do our

homework and make the best choice possible this time around to

determine who will guide this city of more than 100,000 people for

the next four years, the consequences can be summed up in two words

-- Chris Steel.

* GEOFF WEST is a Costa Mesa resident.