The surprise new face in City Hall

Deirdre Newman

When some people hit 55, they began to think about slowing down.

Not Dennis DeMaio.

The surprise pick by Councilman Chris Steel, the newly appointed

planning commissioner, is getting revved up about the chance to serve

his community.

As a lieutenant for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, DeMaio

is used to protecting people. As a planning commissioner, he says he

wants to make sure residents’ property and community interests are

protected.

“The Planning Commission to me is more of a challenge, one that

you would really become in tune with the community,” DeMaio said. “[I

want to] help citizens afraid to come up and have a say-so. It’s an

opportunity to champion their cause.”

Steel appointed DeMaio because he was impressed with his

integrity, the councilman said.

DeMaio, who is from the Pittsburgh, Penn. area, began working in

law enforcement in 1973. After the entire police force was laid off

because of tough economic times, he decided to move to California,

where some family members lived. He and his wife, Deborah, moved to

Costa Mesa in 1986.

In his role with the Sheriff’s Department, DeMaio splits his time

between duties as the police chief of Villa Park and overseeing

patrol functions for unincorporated areas of the county north of

Irvine. He serves about 75,000 residents in all.

As the police chief of Villa Park, DeMaio makes it a priority to

go to City Council meetings so he can respond personally to

residents’ concerns.

“It’s best to be there when people come to express their views,”

DeMaio said. “I would prefer to talk to them, even if I can’t help

them right away, to quell any problems in the community.”

Bob Bell, the mayor of Villa Park, said DeMaio’s people skills are

one of his biggest assets.

“Being on a planning commission...[you] need to have the ability o

work with people and meet them halfway,” Bell said. “[With some

people], it’s my way or the highway. Dennis is one who will work out

these difficulties with each side and come out with a smile on his

face.”

When asked what specific experience or skills he brings to the

Planning Commission, DeMaio responded with a laugh.

“I don’t have any,” he said.

What he does bring to the dais is a desire to get to the heart of

issues and a heathy appetite for asking questions, he said.

“I want to know completely before I make a decision about the

legal ramifications and the ramifications on residents and

businesses,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio did say he would be disappointed if the Kona Lanes bowling

alley is torn down to make way for a Kohl’s department store because

Kona provides an environment where residents can hang out and have

fun.

“[The loss of] those kind of things scares me,” DeMaio said. “We

need recreation, we need things for children. We need areas where we

can go, and losing [them] is the start of the downfall of the

community.”

He would also like to glean as much as he can from outgoing

veteran commissioner Walt Davenport.

“I would like to have lunch with [him] and keep my mouth

completely shut, because I’m sure I could learn a lot,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio lives in the Hillcrest area of Costa Mesa. His family

includes his wife, Deborah, daughter Deenean Vogel, son Dustin,

daughter-in-law Heidi and grandson Trenton.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.