Council should keep hands off, hold special election

The resignation of Newport Beach Councilman Gary Proctor has come

after many council meetings without his presence. Proctor didn’t seem

very motivated to participate, even when contentious items of

importance presented themselves. Having said that, let us hope that

Mayor Steve Bromberg and the other members of the council will do the

right thing regarding this somewhat historic moment, since no other

council member has ever resigned during his or her tenure.

The corrective action from our point of view is to hold a “special

election.” This should be evident due to the fact that all the

council districts have been redistricted after the annexation of many

new areas within the city. This election should take place in March

of 2004 to coincide with the national primary cycle, costing the city

less and ensuring a reasonable voter turnout. For the mayor or the

existing council to nominate a replacement at this time seems to

insure the call for partisan selection, no matter who is chosen. We

should let the process work -- allowing candidates to step forward

with plenty of time to campaign for the Proctor district -- yet

allowing all citizens of Newport Beach the chance to review their

qualifications.

Let’s hope that the next candidate to fill Proctor’s shoes won’t

have any residency issues or special employment concerns that would

conflict with their public service.

RON and ANNA WINSHIP

Newport Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Ron Winship is a former council candidate, though

not from Gary Proctor’s district.