NEWPORT BEACH Recall efforts have started for...

NEWPORT BEACH

Recall efforts have started

for city councilman

Newport Beach was all over the news last week as the saga over

Dick Nichols’ comments about Mexicans drew national media attention.

The most important development came when local business leader Lloyd

Ikerd announced that he had heard Nichols make a disparaging remark

against Mexicans earlier this year and that, in light of the more

recent comment, he would head up a citizen recall of Nichols.

In other news:

* The 28th annual Mr. Irrelevant arrived in town on Monday. Ryan

Hoag was chosen No. 262 in the NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders.

* With considerably less fanfare, the city passed its $162-million

fiscal 2003-04 spending plan right on time. Several last-minute

additions included about $60,000 for dredging off West Newport.

* An item for about $2 million of potential improvements to Corona

del Mar State Beach was put on , partly because Tuesday’s council

meeting ran so late.

* 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.