51, Costa Mesa ... Costa Mesa...

51, Costa Mesa ... Costa Mesa City Manager who has been with the

city more than half his life ... City government is his business ...

Arguably knows more about the city than anyone alive ... Kept busy

this past year with a little development called Home Ranch, with its

20-year history of development troubles ... Also spent his time

balancing the city’s budget in light of state monetary crisis and the

aftermaths of Sept. 11 attacks ... Both he and wife, Ann McCarly --

who works in public affairs at John Wayne Airport -- found their

professional lives overhauled by the East Coast attacks Raised

blood-pressure levels with his wandering eye, as he announced he was

interested in managing another city ... Lucky for Costa Mesa, he

didn’t leave ... Last year’s ranking: 24