Elections may mean better business

Paul Clinton

A new councilman in Costa Mesa could bring a more

business-friendly climate to City Hall, while two new members of

Newport Beach’s City Council aren’t expected to rock the city’s

economic boat.

Allan Mansoor’s triumph over sitting Mayor Linda Dixon on Tuesday

gave the Orange County Sheriff’s deputy a surprising win. And in the

days after, local business leaders were still sorting out whether

Mansoor, who took conservative stands on several social issues, would

be a boon or bane for businesses.

“I see him coming in as a conservative voice in [City Hall]; but

he’s still an unknown,” said Ed Fawcett, the Costa Mesa Chamber of

Commerce’s executive director. “I found him to be very presentable

[during an interview prior to the election]. He took notes. I

appreciated that. It tells me he’s not going to brush aside differing

opinions.”

Mansoor himself said he hoped to give small business owners

seeking various permits from City Hall a fair shake.

“I don’t want to be too intrusive,” Mansoor said. “We need to have

a smooth-running process for business owners.”

Councilman Gary Monahan, who was reelected Tuesday, has also long

said business owners should be given every opportunity to grow,

contributing key dollars in sales tax to the city treasury.

“You keep that vibrant economy going and it’s good for the city,”

Monahan said. “It’s no secret I’ve argued against red tape and more

restrictions.”

One developer who will be seeing a lot of Costa Mesa’s planning

officials in the coming months is Ted Crisell, the leasing director

for the 1901 Newport Plaza office complex.

Crisell’s Rutter Development Corp. has proposed a nightclub, in

addition to a string of new tenants, and is readying a 160-unit

townhouse project for the complex next to the former Pacific Savings

Bank. It has been vacant since 1991.

“Either they’re going to work with us or fight us,” Crisell said.

“If they let logic rule and not emotions, this is an area to create a

heart and hub of the city.”

In Newport Beach, chemical engineer Dick Nichols and retired

Public Works Director Don Webb joined the seven-member council.

Richard Luehrs, the executive director of the Newport Beach

Chamber of Commerce, said the addition of the two, along with the

reelection of Mayor Tod Ridgeway and Councilman Gary Adams, won’t

create any dramatic shift.

“Certainly, there was no mandate from the voting public to change

anything,” Luehrs said. “It’s status quo.”

The local economy has taken its toll on development in Newport

Beach, even though real estate values have continued to climb.

Ridgeway and Luehrs said they thought the city would need additional

hotel rooms once business travel picks up again.

“When we have new infrastructure going in, real estate values

going up and no scandals, why wouldn’t you vote for the incumbent?”

Ridgeway asked rhetorically. “Quality of life is strong here.”

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment and politics. He may be

reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at paul.clinton@latimes.com.