Back in the saddle again

Tod Ridgeway recently returned to the Newport Beach mayor’s chair

that he occupied in 2002, sliding one spot over from his 2003 vice

mayor seat.

A long-time Newport Beach resident, Ridgeway is looking forward to

leading the city through a variety of difficult issues, especially

those pertaining to water quality.

Ridgeway took some time during a busy Christmas season with his

family to answer questions posed by the Pilot. Here’s what he had to

say:

How long have you lived in Newport Beach? What brought you here?

I have lived here permanently since 1975. Prior to that I was in

and out of residency while attending both undergraduate and

post-graduate school. I came here because of the great weather and

potential growth of Orange County.

What’s your greatest Newport-specific memory? Your worst?

Greatest memory was getting lost on Lido Isle as a 10-year-old

with my mother. She made a wrong turn to get to Balboa Island. My

mother, brother and I got to look at the then-mansions of Lido (I was

raised in a pre-war dingbat -- two bedrooms, one bathroom) in Los

Angeles and the homes on Lido were great to see.

What are your hopes/expectations for the city next year?

My goals and expectations for the city of Newport Beach in 2004

would be to continue to address the significant issues that have a

long-lasting impact on the city. First, the General Plan Update that

is required to be updated by the state every 10 years will be before

the various citizen groups for input. The numerous consultant reports

that include an inventory of parking in the city of Newport Beach,

natural resources that include Environmentally Sensitive Habitat

areas to wetlands, open space elements and parklands, etc.

Additionally, the model traffic study will be compared to land

uses throughout the city and along with the above reports will need

to be discussed, debated and assimilated into a document that

ultimately will be before all the citizens for a vote.

Second, the long-awaited Local Coastal Plan that is required by

the California Coastal Commission will need to be presented to the

planning commission and City Council before it can be presented to

the Coastal Commission for review and approval. The land use and

coastal access sections of the plan have been reviewed by the Local

Coastal Plan committee and approved. The biological resources section

is currently under review and will take into consideration the back

bay, wetlands, open space, ESHA’s, intertidal areas, etc. The overall

plan should be ready for public comment late in the year 2004.

Next, the city will continue to be ever-vigilant regarding water

quality issues. The Coastal/Bay Water Quality Committee meets once a

month to review the water testing performed by the county at 35

locations in the harbor. Also, the ocean waters are tested daily by

the Orange County Sanitation District and the results of those tests

are likewise discussed to determine if any action needs to be taken

by the city. The city is responsible for enforcement of the Clean

Water Act of the EPA through enforcement of the National Pollution

Discharge System (storm drains) that is enforced by Regional Water

Quality Board, Santa Ana Region.

Two new enforcement officers were hired in 2003 to oversee keeping

our bay and ocean waters clean. At the end of 2003 the city announced

the formation of the Spheres Committee to discuss with the County of

Orange issues such as West Santa Ana Heights annexation, transfer of

the Coyote Land Fill in the Newport Coast community, taking over

jurisdiction of the harbor from the Orange County Sheriff and

possible transfer of the John Wayne Airport to the city of Newport

Beach. These sphere issues have been talked about for years with no

formal position ever taken. This committee will at least see if there

are reasons to pursue further discussion.

Besides the seven village areas of Newport Beach, the harbor needs

to be the focal point for city issues. With the creation of the

Harbor Element to the General Plan (the only one in the nation that

we are aware of), council will need to support the actions of the new

Harbor Commission.

Lastly, District 1, which I represent, has a number of projects

that will surface during 2004. They include a new city hall with a

town square, the hotel at Marina Park, revitalization of Lido Marina

Village, the South Coast Shipyard master plan and, last but not

least, completion of Balboa Village.

Explain the ‘honor’ of being chosen mayor again, although it’s

largely a ceremonial changing of the guard. What makes your

appointment as mayor special?

Being appointed mayor again allows me to do more good things for

the city. While the position is ceremonial and reliant on the entire

City Council for any action to occur, it demands that the mayor be

knowledgeable in every facet of the decision-making process. I enjoy

this involvement.

What city issue do you expect to present the greatest challenge to

the City Council? How do you hope to lead the council through the

issue, as mayor?

The greatest issue will be the Sphere’s issue with the County of

Orange. As a member of the Southern California Assn. of Governments

Aviation Task Force and Transportation and Communications Committees

for the last four years, I have a unique regional perspective of the

growth issues and transportation infrastructure in Southern

California. This organization has a 75-member board that meets once a

month. Members include the general manager to LAX and Ontario

Airport, supervisors from the five-county area comprising SCAG and

mayors and council members of every member city.

What’s your favorite holiday melody? What makes it stand out from

the rest?

O’Night Devine -- both the tune and lyrics remind us to be humble

unto the Lord.

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

To be with my family and friends at our home in Lake Arrowhead.

Any New Year’s resolutions?

Try to be a better husband and father to my family.

What’s the most useful New Year’s resolution you’ve come up with?

Not making a resolution.

How does Newport Beach stand out from other coastal cities during

the holiday season?

The harbor and the Christmas boat parade are unique to Southern

California and the nation. The tradition of the boat parade and the

decorated homes as sponsored by the Newport Harbor Chamber of

Commerce will always make this city the great place that it is.

Any general closing thoughts on the passing or coming year?

Continued peace and prosperity to the nation, state and citizens

of Newport Beach.