May the best candidates win

Those who have served in elected posts will testify that their

jobs require a lot of time, effort, sacrifice and patience. Not just

anyone can do it, nor should just anyone do it.

At the same time, voters must be responsible in selecting their

representatives. Just because someone’s on the ballot doesn’t mean he

or she is qualified. And even though some may be qualified to a

certain extent, they still may not be the best candidates.

COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL

In Costa Mesa, five residents are running for two City Council

posts. Among them are incumbents Linda Dixon and Gary Monahan. Both

have proven themselves more than competent as city leaders and, as a

result, we support their efforts in seeking another term.

Costa Mesa still has many issues relating to, among others, the

redevelopment of the Westside and the creation of a skateboard park.

Both Dixon and Monahan are knowledgeable in these areas and can make

them happen.

NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL

In Newport Beach, four seats are up on Tuesday, and only two have

incumbents seeking them. Voters would be wise to reelect both Gary

Adams and Tod Ridgeway, whose leadership over the last year has done

the city well. Both have dedicated countless hours into their city

and it shows. Both are worthy of another term.

The other two seats -- in districts 3 and 6 -- will open up

because the incumbents are termed out. Both rookie Newport council

members will have large seats to fill, as Norma Glover and Dennis

O’Neill performed their gigs well. We suggest that voters choose

Greenlight candidate Allan Beek to head District 3 and Bernie

Svalstad to lead District 6.

Beek is more than familiar to many Newport Beach residents, who

know well that he has the city’s best interests at heart. Svalstad, a

former Fountain Valley councilman and six-year Orange County

Sanitation District director, knows city government and will serve

Newport well.

NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD

Though four seats have opened up the school board, only three need

to be filled because no one challenged newcomer Linda Sneen in

filling trustee Jim Ferryman’s vacant spot.

Of those three that will open up, we support incumbents Judy

Franco, Wendy Leece and Serene Stokes. All three have proven capable

in leading the school district. While we have at times suggested that

new leadership is needed to revitalize the board, we don’t think the

other candidates can provide what is needed this go-round.

While the choices are one thing, voting is another. Tuesday is the

day when we must take advantage of the liberty that our nation has

provided us and fought so hard to keep and vote. It doesn’t take

long, and it’s more than worth it.