Nichols says he will not resign

June Casagrande

Pressing medical problems may keep him away from Tuesday’s meeting,

but a raging controversy over a racially charged comment won’t keep

him off the council.

Councilman Dick Nichols on Tuesday said that he does not intend to

resign from the council despite his colleagues’ urging in the wake of

a comment last week that touched off a firestorm of controversy. A

majority of the City Council have stated publicly that Nichols should

step down, but they do not have the power to force him to do so.

City Atty. Bob Burnham explained that the council could put an

item on a future agenda to censure Nichols or to strip him of his

committee appointments.

“That’s about all they could do,” Burnham said.

The council does not have the power to remove Nichols.

News media, protesters and community members opposing and

supporting Nichols are expected to show up in force at tonight’s

meeting, but Nichols might not be there.

The 63-year-old Corona del Mar resident has been under medical

treatment for a serious infection in his leg that could cause him to

stay home, he said.

“I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and we will see what the

doctor says,” Nichols wrote in an e-mail to the Pilot.

Nichols has been the subject of nationwide media coverage after a

comment about Corona del Mar State Beach improvements and, in

particular, a proposal to expand the grass areas at the beach.

“With grass we usually get Mexicans coming in there early in the

morning and they claim it as theirs and it becomes their personal,

private grounds all day,” Nichols said last week.

The comment touched off protests, including outraged opposition

from many of his council colleagues. Mayor Steve Bromberg called on

Nichols to resign, but has said he is not sure whether he will

suggest an agenda item to censure Nichols.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.