2 candidates set if Nichols recall succeeds

June Casagrande

Lloyd Ikerd and Laura Dietz are two names that are likely to appear

on a ballot to replace Councilman Dick Nichols if a recall effort is

successful.

But 2002 City Council candidate Bernie Svalstad probably couldn’t

run again for the seat because Newport Beach council districts have

since been redrawn. Svalstad’s Irvine Terrace home is no longer in

District 6; it’s now in Mayor Steve Bromberg’s District 5.

New districts go into effect July 10. City Clerk Lavonne Harkless

said that the new districts would probably govern a recall election,

though it’s possible that could change subject to legal

interpretation.

If the election were based on the old district boundaries,

Svalstad said that he would run for the seat. But Svalstad, who was

elected to the Fountain Valley City Council in the 1980s during a

recall election, said he’s skeptical that the recall will get that

far.

“It takes a lot to recall someone,” Svalstad said.

Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chip Stassel agreed.

“I don’t know if a recall would really have legs,” Stassel said.

“That’s the pulse in Corona del Mar ... that people aren’t going to

support that.”

But Ikerd, who has vowed to head up a recall effort if Nichols

does not step down, disagreed.

“I think that once it gets going, it’ll go like wildfire,” Ikerd

said. “He’s going to continue doing the same thing and people will

get more and more upset.”

Ikerd does not live in District 6, but said he would move to the

district in order to run for the seat.

Cameo Shores resident Dietz said she, too, would seek a spot on

the ballot. Along with Svalstad, Dietz also ran against Nichols in

the 2002 race to represent Corona del Mar.

Ikerd took out papers to recall Nichols earlier this year after

Nichols made a comment about Mexicans at a Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce committee meeting. Ikerd had decided not to move forward

with a recall at that time.

After Nichols made another comment about Mexicans in a Daily Pilot

interview in June, Nichols’ six council colleagues called for him to

step down. Ikerd announced at Tuesday’s council meeting that, in

light of Nichols’ recent comments, he would move forward with a

recall if Nichols does not resign voluntarily. Nichols has said that

he will not step down.