Bromberg named new mayor for Newport Beach

June Casagrande

On the left side of the dais sit three engineers; to the right,

four lawyers. In the middle sits a new mayor and a not-so-new vice

mayor.

Welcome to the new City Council, whose inauguration was performed

with almost as much ceremony as the goodbyes for departing members.

“It’s an honor to be asked to do this job,” Steve Bromberg said as

he took the mayor’s seat. “I promise I’ll work hard and not

disappoint you.”

Everybody’s money was on Bromberg to be the new mayor. The vote

was not unanimous. Just 10 minutes after being sworn in, new

Councilman Dick Nichols cast the sole dissenting vote against

Bromberg for mayor.

Nichols didn’t offer any comment on his decision, but has said

publicly that he planned to take Bromberg to task about a dispute

over the Village Inn -- a restaurant in Bromberg’s district. The

restaurant has been the focus of verbal and legal disputes from

neighbors over noise caused by patrons there.

The City Council has little say in the matter because the

restaurant was built before the current city zoning ordinances were

in place.

Next to Bromberg on the dais will be a very familiar face. The new

vice mayor most recently served as mayor and, before that, as vice

mayor: Tod Ridgeway. Councilman Gary Proctor nominated Ridgeway, who

won the unanimous support of his colleagues.

Proctor and Councilman John Heffernan were the council members

best positioned for the job, at least in terms of seniority.

By nominating Ridgeway, Proctor effectively declined the job. And

Heffernan, who has been the sole Greenlight council member for the

last two years, is regularly at odds with his colleagues.

The city also swore in its two new council members Tuesday night.

Former Public Works Director Don Webb took over the seat vacated by

termed-out Councilwoman Norma Glover. Nichols won the Corona del Mar

district seat of Dennis O’Neil, who also reached his term limit this

year.

“I hope I can do a good job,” said Nichols, who added that he’s

grateful for the opportunity to be on the council.

Webb, too, expressed gratitude.

“In May of ‘68, when I started to work for the city, I had no idea

I’d be up here one day,” Webb said.

But in a night with no economy of words, the lion’s share of

comments were about and by the two departing council members.

“Denny and Norma have been wonderful servants of the city,”

Bromberg said. Other council members echoed his words.

In her long goodbye speech, Glover thanked a long list of people

who have contributed to the city and to her term as councilwoman --

from City Atty. Bob Burnham and U.S. Rep. Chris Cox to her own

husband.

“The longer you serve on the City Council, the more you learn to

love this city,” Glover said.

O’Neil’s comments were shorter, but no less emotional: “I will

ride off into the sunset having known this has been a wonderful

experience.”