Costa Mesa committee member dies

Deepa Bharath

John Rule, a longtime Costa Mesa resident and member of the city’s

Human Relations Committee, died suddenly of a heart attack when he

was on vacation on Sunday.

Rule, who openly acknowledged he was gay, had served on the

city-appointed committee for more than five years. He founded the

first gay and lesbian community center and church in Orange County.

Rule was also active in local schools and was a member of the

Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation.

Costa Mesa City Council members said Rule had made several

positive contributions to the city.

“John served the city well and put in a lot of his time,”

Councilman Chris Steel said.

Councilwoman Libby Cowan, who is also openly gay, said she and her

partner have known Rule “for a very long time.”

“We are very saddened to hear that he has passed on, and he will

be missed,” she said. “He was a community member that never hesitated

to jump in and help where needed.”

In his capacity as a Human Relations Committee member, Rule had

publicly spoken against other members of the committee, such as new

councilman Allan Mansoor. In a July meeting, when committee members

Mansoor, Jan Davidson and Joel Faris were criticized by a local

resident, Rule spoke up.

“I think Allan is working against what we are all for,” Rule said.

“He is promoting hatred, and I’m not happy with it.”

Information relating to services and his age were unavailable

Tuesday.