Experience to bring to the job

MERRITT VAN SANT

Newport Beach is a city I love, having lived here for 23 years. If

chosen, I would be pleased to bring 50 years of experience in

business, civic involvement and government to this well-run city.

My qualifications include five senior positions as a Reagan

appointee -- two while he was governor and three during his

presidency. The most recent was with the Small Business

Administration, as the regional special assistant for California,

Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. In California government, I served as

Reagan’s deputy secretary of business and transportation with policy

control over Caltrans, motor vehicles, the highway patrol and

departments of Insurance, Banking, Real Estate, Corporations and

Housing.

My local experience includes chairman of the Mobility Council for

the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (1989-92), eight

years on the Fern Valley Water Board (in Idyllwild) and five years at

the Newport Crest Homeowners Assn. as a member of the Environmental

Review, Parking Policy and Management committees.

In addition, I have 40 years as an executive in small business, in

asset management, insurance and management consulting.

If appointed to the City Council, I pledge to the citizens of

District No. 2 and the entire city the following:

To work cooperatively with the council members and the city

staffers in a respectful and businesslike manner to provide good

public policy and good government.

A commitment to thoroughly study the issues before the council,

attend all meetings and vote my conscience in the best interests of

Newport Beach.

To uphold the city’s environmentally sensitive approach to

decision making.

To maintain the traditional business-friendly policies.

And to perform my duties responsibly, with common sense, honesty

and integrity.