Ridgeway returns to Newport mayor’s seat

June Casagrande

Council members on Tuesday voted to elect Tod Ridgeway the new mayor

and Gary Adams vice mayor for 2004.

The proceedings became unusually contentious when Councilman John

Heffernan stated that he would oppose Ridgeway’s appointment without

elaborating on why. FreeNewport.com spokesman Brian Clarkson also

added some controversy to the proceedings by speaking out against

Ridgeway and accusing him of being beholden to developer money, among

other things.

“I’ve never seen a mayoral election go quite like this,” said

Ridgeway, who nonetheless assured residents he would be diligent in

his duties. “I will work tirelessly for this city.”

Outgoing mayor Steve Bromberg said that he had wanted to nominate

Heffernan for the vice mayor post, but that Heffernan had declined.

Instead, Bromberg nominated Adams and Heffernan nominated Bromberg.

Adams won the vote of his colleagues, 4 to 2, with Heffernan and Dick

Nichols supporting Bromberg.

Ridgeway was mayor in 2002, and then reassumed the post of vice

mayor in 2003. He was elected to his second term on the council in

2002 representing the Balboa Peninsula. He will step down due to term

limits in 2006.

Ridgeway serves on a number of committees and boards both within

and outside the city. He co-chairs the city’s Coastal/Bay Water

Quality Citizens Advisory Committee and serves on the city’s Airport

Policy Committee, among others. He also represents Newport Beach to

the Southern California Assn. of Governments, where he plays an

important role representing Newport Beach, especially in

transportation matters such as John Wayne Airport.

Adams was mayor in 2001. Like Ridgeway, he was re-elected to the

dais in the 2002 election and will have completed his council service

to the city in 2006.

He also serves on a number of city committees including the

General Plan Update Committee and the Economic Advisory Committee,

and he represents Newport Beach to the League of California Cities.

He represents District 4, which includes the airport area and most

communities encircling the Upper Newport Bay area.

City Council members are paid $984.33 per month except the mayor,

who receives $1,396.52 per month.

Bromberg said it was an honor serving as mayor of the city in

2003.

“It’s been a hoot of a year for me. I’ve enjoyed it and I feel

like I’m going out on a high note,” he said.

* 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.