COSTA MESA Council leaves field use study...

COSTA MESA

Council leaves field use study to commission

Two council members said they are not interested in discussing a

controversy over athletic field use at California Elementary and

TeWinkle Middle schools any further. At a joint study session with

the Parks and Recreation Commission Monday, council members Libby

Cowan and Mike Scheafer say they don’t see a need for the council to

consider the issue. So the commission and city staff will continue to

work with residents in the area who are concerned about field overuse

and related problems.

* Councilman Chris Steel appealed the expansion of the softball

fields at TeWinkle Park on behalf of the Mesa del Mar Homeowners

Assn. Residents in the neighborhood said they weren’t notified about

the potential changes and are not happy with plans to remove 36

mature trees to expand some of the fields.

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

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

POLITICS

Maddox to stick with Nichols endorsement

Comments from Newport Beach Councilman Dick Nichols spilled over

into the offices of Newport-Mesa’s two assemblyman. The offices of

Ken Maddox and John Campbell were flooded with calls and e-mails

responding to Nichols’ criticism of Campbell.

Nichols, in explaining why he endorsed Maddox, criticized the

appointment of openly gay Republican activist Frank Ricchiazzi as

“questionable.”

Maddox reiterated his support of Nichols, saying he didn’t intend

to drop the councilman’s support from his endorsement list.

* On Thursday evening, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush paid a visit to

Newport Beachs’ Four Seasons Hotel. The younger brother of President

Bush urged GOP supporters to rally California in 2004.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.

EDUCATION

UC Irvine students will pay 25% more for school

University of California system officials decided Thursday to

raise tuition fees 25% this fall to help make up for fiscal

shortcomings the state has handed them. The average in-state student

will now pay about $5,000 per year, though the UC Board of Regents

gave UC President Richard Atkinson the option to raise the fees

another 5%.

NEWPORT BEACH

Recall of councilman dropped on Wednesday

A businessman opted against pursuing an effort to recall City

Councilman Dick Nichols on Wednesday. Newport resident Lloyd Ikerd

said at a press conference at City Hall that a recall could further

damage the community. However, he did announce that he would form a

watchdog group to keep an eye on Nichols and an ear on his comments.

The councilman drew controversy in June when he said he did not favor

grass improvements at Corona del Mar State Beach because they would

attract Mexicans, who would end up staying there all day.

* The state Coastal Commission has decided that city officials

will have to rework the Lower Bayview Landing senior housing project

because it would affect three areas on the parcel deemed to be

wetlands. Plans at the site near Coast Highway and Jamboree Boulevard

call for 150 affordable senior homes. If the project does come into

fruition, the city will have to spend $500,000 more from its

affordable housing fund because of Prevailing Wage laws.

* City officials blame antibacterial filters for the rise of

bacteria levels in the West Newport channels. Assistant City Manager

Dave Kiff said “we may not have used the correct filter media.” When

the filters were first installed last year, bacterial levels dropped

below the state minimums for the first time ever.

* 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.