We asked all nine the following questions....

We asked all nine the following questions.

1. What is the most important issue facing Newport Beach?

2. What sets you apart from the rest of the people hoping to be

appointed?

3. What is your position on development in the city and, by

relation, the Greenlight law?

4. What background or experience makes you qualified to serve on

the City Council?

JOHN BLOM

Chairman of the board of the Corona del Mar Business Improvement

District. Business: professional photography.

1. The most important issue facing the citizens of Newport Beach

is being able to maintain and even improve upon the quality of life

that we presently enjoy.

There are several potential dangers that are lurking on the

horizon that could disastrously affect us. The biggest of these is

the potential expansion of John Wayne Airport. The settlement

agreement was amended in 2002 and allows 10.3 million passengers

through 2011, and 10.8 through 2015. The present usage of eight

million passengers annually is only about one half of what the

official estimated physical capacity of the airport in its present

configuration. Because the present facility can accommodate 14

million to 15 million annually, there will be pressure to expand the

limits, especially when there are surveys that say that passenger

needs will continually rise to 24 million by 2025.

There have already been studies done to expand to 25 million

annual passengers. Extension of the main runway has been under

consideration for years. While the airport is physically small,

Lindbergh Field in San Diego is no bigger, has one runway, and

carries twice the passenger traffic as John Wayne. This will have a

detrimental affect on all of Newport Beach. With added flights will

come a fanning-out of takeoffs, so the jets will be flying over

Corona del Mar, Spyglass, and Newport Coast as well as the Castaways

and West Newport. How do you think that will affect property values,

not to mention the quality of life? 2. First of all, I think that the

group of people that have come forward represent a very good cross

section of District 4 and represent a very high level of expertise in

their fields. They should all be commended for wanting to serve.

I will bring to the table a unique combination of city resident

and businessperson. My wife, Chloe, and I have had our photography

business in Corona del Mar for 25 years. We have lived in Eastbluff

for 20 years and raised three children there. From the business side,

I know first-hand a lot of the problems that businesses face. I feel

the effects of recession and inflation. I know what it is like to pay

exorbitant amounts for workers’ compensation and health insurance. I

also know the benefits of a good and prosperous economy. I am also an

artist and I tend to see things a little differently than most. The

City Council has to handle many business items and it has to consider

most of these items from a business standpoint, but there are always

the issues that require compassion and involve the human element. I

will bring that point of view. I think that will complement and add

to the ideas expressed by the others. 3. Any time a large section of

citizens voices objections to something, those voices must be heard

and their objections must be addressed.

I am a proponent of moving traffic; who isn’t? I am not a

proponent for moving it at a higher rate of speed, but at a more

continuous flow. In other words, synchronize the traffic lights so

motorists can travel at a set speed and not be constantly stopping.

This is one of the very positive results that the Corona del Mar

Business Improvement District will achieve when the city takes

control of Pacific Coast Highway from Caltrans. With synchronization

of the lights on Coast Highway, the traffic will flow and be less

congested.

I think that the question that has to be asked about all new

development has to be, “Is it benefiting the common good?”

Quality-of-life issues have to be addressed. I think that each issue

has to be weighed individually, and outreach to the community has to

be made. The voters passed the Greenlight law and the city has to

follow its guidelines.

4. Since helping form the Corona del Mar Business Improvement

District in 1996, I have worked with many of the different

departments of the city and many city staff personnel. I have found

their dedication to duty and willingness to help very exemplary. I

have also found that sometimes it is necessary to get out there and

find out what the citizens really think about what is proposed. It is

very important to hear all sides before making judgments.

I feel that one of my best qualities is that I am willing to

listen to other points of view. But, at the same time, I am not

afraid to voice my own thoughts. I will listen to my constituents. I

think that sometimes I will bring a different point of view to the

council, but it will be a point of view substantiated by diligence to

fact-finding and consulting with those that I represent. I have

learned that compromise is sometimes the best solution for success.

Listening and working with people to solve problems are my strong

suits.

TIMOTHY BROWN

Parks, Beaches and Recreation commissioner.

1. The most important issue facing the city is the threat of

expansion of service at John Wayne Airport. The estimated capacity of

the facility is 14 million to 15 million passengers annually. The

amendment to the settlement agreement calls for a passenger cap of

10.8 million by 2015. Conservative projections put 10.3 million

passengers arriving and departing the airport by year’s end 2005. An

airport at El Toro is no longer an option to meet the demand for air

travel in the next decade. There will be pressure to increase the

number of flights or the capacity of the aircraft serving John Wayne.

2. I am compassionate about people. There is no greater

distinction than helping people help themselves. When people look to

the council, they have a problem for which they are seeking help. The

opportunity to help is why I wish to serve in this capacity. Helping

one person or group usually raises conflict with another person or

group. For me, it is important to resolve the conflict through

consensus building, which is not common in government. Although

finding common interests is not always possible, with patience and

diligence new solutions can be crafted that serve all involved more

often than not.

3. Every city struggles with the balance between retail

development and the quality of life afforded to residents.

Quality-of-life expectations of residents cannot be taken lightly,

where property values are so high. Conversely, city services provide

for and protect the lifestyle afforded us in this world-class city.

Tax revenues from retail development make those services possible.

The Greenlight law did not remove the struggle; it simply made it

more difficult to deal with. Nonetheless, it is a mandate from the

residents of our city and therefore must be upheld in the spirit for

which it was intended.

4. As a Parks, Beaches and Recreation commissioner, I have worked

with city staff on a number of issues ranging from prioritizing park

development to recommending the council prohibit smoking on the

beach. My experience on the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs

Committee has enlightened me on issues of importance to the business

community. My service on the aviation committee made me aware of how

vital it is to limit expansion of John Wayne Airport. My role as

chair of the Leadership Tomorrow board of directors has shown me how

to lead leaders. My profession as an educator has taught me

compassion.

MICHAEL BROWNING

Chaplain for the Newport Beach Police Department. Business: real

estate

1. There are a number of important issues facing the city. To

single out one issue is difficult, but I would have to say that the

future of John Wayne Airport is the most significant long-range issue

for the city to deal with. The city must do a good job in protecting

the city’s interest and controlling the amount of traffic at John

Wayne and any other airport expansion. We must ensure that adequate

controls are implemented indefinitely, if possible. How this can be

done I have yet to learn, but it is a challenge that that must be

met.

2. Inasmuch as I am not acquainted with the other candidates for

this council seat, I don’t know what sets me apart from them. I do

know that my long background in management has given me the

opportunity to acquire skills in dealing with people, negotiating,

decision-making and finances. I have also had the opportunity through

my career in real estate to work with a number of city planning

departments, building departments, city managers and other city

officials. This experience has given me a good understanding of how

city governments function.

3. My position on development in the city is that it should be

orderly and balanced between residential and commercial development

so that the best interest of the people of Newport Beach is served. I

believe we have a competent city staff, professionals that know their

business. I believe it is the responsibility of the City Council to

make sure the laws, which govern development in the city, are upheld

and at the same time protect the property owner’s rights. Greenlight

is the law and I therefore believe it should be upheld like any other

law.

4. I have more than 40 years of all forms of business experience.

I have good people skills. I am honest in all my dealings. I have

served as chaplain of the Newport Beach Police Department since

February of 1999. I am fiercely patriotic and support our government.

My wife, Sheila, of 45 years, and I have raised our four children

in Newport Beach, all of whom are grown and successful. I have a

desire to serve the community in which I live and to preserve the

quality of life we have enjoyed. I am prepared to devote the time

necessary to serve on the council to the best of my ability.

LESLIE DAIGLE

Planning commissioner. Business: land-use consulting.

1. The overarching issue is quality of life. All of our pressing

issues, including limitations on flights at John Wayne Airport, water

quality and traffic management affect our quality of life.

2. My personal style is to always listen, study and become fully

informed on the issues before making a decision. I believe it’s

important to build consensus and I do so on a daily basis in my

professional life. Legislation involves compromise. I will work to

carefully research options and consult with others in making

decisions that affect our community.

3. As a planning commissioner, I believe in balancing property

rights with neighborhood quality of life. Property rights are a

closely held value in our community. Property values continue to

increase and property owners aim to increase those values through

improvements. Stopping development would eliminate economic vitality.

This does not mean that development should proceed unchecked. While

protecting property rights I seek to retain community character.

Through the details of a project, through mitigation, we can retain

the character of the community without stifling its vitality.

With respect to Greenlight, we are where we are with it. It’s

being implemented. It was a public referendum, where the people moved

out in front of the government. The Greenlight law has a trigger

mechanism where voters and not the City Council make certain land use

decisions. The voters are now the ones who will give thumbs up or

thumbs down on Marinapark resort.

The City Council has shown leadership in implementing a visioning

process for the general plan update that includes diverse viewpoints.

I want to work with people upfront to avoid upheavals.

4. I believe I can effectively represent constituents. On a daily

basis I represent corporations and individuals before local

government. I work effectively within internal corporate environments

and with city staffs, elected officials and residents. I understand

the kinds of interactions that occur between residents, municipal

staffs and local officials. As a planning commissioner, I’ve been

part of reviewing significant development projects. I seek to balance

the needs of the applicant, the city and the residents.

BARRY EATON

Planning commissioner, retired city planner.

1. This answer has two parts: those issues the city is able to

deal with on its own, and those issues where it is constrained by

outside agencies and interests.

In the first category, the general plan update is clearly the most

important citywide issue. The results of this process will set the

pattern for the city’s character, growth and traffic for 20 to 25

years.

In the second category, the growth of the county-owned John Wayne

Airport is the most important issue facing the city. But there are

more: Ocean and bay water quality (and eel grass in the lower bay)

are all dictated by federal and state requirements; the city’s local

coastal program has to meet the California Coastal Commission’s

requirements; and dredging of the Santa Ana River and Upper Newport

Bay are dependent on Corps of Engineers funding.

2. I believe I am especially qualified to deal with the two most

important issues facing the city, and the 4th District in particular.

I was the chair of the subcommittee of the General Plan Update

Committee that formulated the entire program that is now underway. I

understand that program particularly well.

In addition, my many years as a director of the Airport Working

Group has given me the necessary knowledge and perspective to deal

with the John Wayne Airport expansion issues with a firm resolve.

Finally, my election five consecutive times to the Board of

Directors of one of the largest and most diverse homeowner

associations in the 4th District (Eastbluff), including seven

consecutive terms as its president, demonstrates my leadership and

consensus-building abilities.

3. I recognize the city’s need to grow its businesses in order to

continue to pay for its outstanding services to its citizens. At the

same time, I want to protect the outstanding residential quality of

life in Newport Beach, which, along with its natural amenities,

provides both its world-class reputation and the bulk of its very

high property tax base.

I think the voters in our city comprise a very intelligent and

aware electorate. Thus, I am not afraid to let them decide the really

large projects affecting the city’s future. However, there is a

“cumulative projects” provision in the Greenlight law that will

eventually result in its applicability to very small projects. When

that time comes, I believe the Greenlight law will have to be

revisited and revised.

4. I am a retired city planner, who has served as a chief planner

or planning director for five Southern California cities, two

planning consultant firms, and a nationwide residential developer. As

such, I have experience in many jurisdictions which have dealt with

issues applicable to Newport Beach.

I have also served for a combined 12 years on city commissions and

committees (Planning Commission, Environmental Quality Advisory

Committee and General Plan Update Committee). In addition, I have

served for six years on the board of directors of the Airport Working

Group, and I have been elected to seven consecutive terms as

President of the Eastbluff Homeowners Assn. I think this combination

of experience, knowledge, and leadership especially qualifies me for

appointment to this City Council position.

CHARLES GRIFFIN

Retired avionics engineer

1. The most important issue facing Newport Beach is the

publication of an appropriate city general plan and then prudently

implementing it. This includes maintaining a balanced budget and

negotiating a permanent limit on the noise generated by aircraft

operations at John Wayne Airport and making the existing curfew

permanent.

2. I have fantastic portraits by John Blom of my beautiful wife

Tabe and of my four children and three grandchildren who have grown

up in Newport Beach. As a young adult, I went around the world,

climbed the Matterhorn in Switzerland, visited the great pyramid in

Egypt, skied in the mountains of Kashmir in northern Pakistan and

India. I still enjoy skiing the cornice bowl at Mammoth Mountain.

I served the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force by participating in the

design, development, and production of guidance and control systems

for the first guided air-to-air missiles, surface-to-air missiles,

world-speed-record Navy F4D Interceptor, C9B hospital aircraft, KC-10

tanker, C-17 Transport and B-2 stealth bomber ... in addition to the

DC-7, DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, and MD-80 commercial aircraft as a

registered professional control system engineer.

3. The population of the world is growing out of our control, but

my position is that the Newport City Council is not obligated to

approve accommodations for everyone who can afford to live and do

business in Newport Beach. However, it is also my position that

property owners have the right to develop their property if they

don’t adversely impact the rights of others to clean air and water,

reasonable wildlife habitat and congestion-free roads. The Greenlight

law is law and as a member of the City Council, I would feel

obligated to prudently enforce it.

4. I have repeatedly repaired, remodeled and upgraded my homes in

Newport Beach for the past 50 years, which has made me intimately

familiar with the local building codes.

I was the plaintiff in landmark litigation in the California

Supreme Court circa 1973 that initiated the California Environmental

Quality Act (CEQA), and was subsequently appointed as a charter

member of the Newport Environmental Quality Committee to prepare a

local ordinance specifying the preparation of the required

Environmental Impact Reports. I subsequently have reviewed and

contributed to many such reports on major local projects like power

plants and airport expansion.

I served as a director of the Balboa Island Improvement Assn. in

1965 and worked with the city engineer to define and install the

existing traffic signal and lanes for the intersection near the

bridge entrance to Balboa Island.

GERALD HEGGER

Business: Insurance broker.

1. Maintaining and, if possible, improving our quality of life.

The following three issues exemplify the greatest impact on our

community.

a. The proposed expansion of John Wayne Airport. The expansion of

John Wayne Airport would bring to our community exactly what we do

not want. It will bring noise pollution, air pollution and additional

traffic congestion. In addition, we need to take into consideration

the impact of the jet fuel and exhaust on the Back Bay.

b. Care and protection of the Back Bay and adjoining cannels. In

many ways the Back Bay makes Newport Beach unique. We have the luxury

of having a nature preserve in our back yard and it must be

protected.

c. Greenlight. We need Greenlight. The absence of the Greenlight

law would only add to our traffic problems. We can not change the

decisions of the past. However, we can impact the future by

monitoring business growth and preventing and/or significantly

limiting those initiatives that would further burden the traffic

congestion.

2. I bring me with the mind set of not accepting the status quo,

and the determination to succeed. After serving four years in the

military, I attended college on the GI Bill and earned an MBA while

working full-time and attending night school. My approach is to

constantly seek improvement and to find a better, more cost-effective

way to accomplish a task or objective. I bring a varied background

that gives me the ability to view issues objectively.

Last, but not least, I have reached the point in my life where I

want to make a difference. I want to hand to the next generation a

vibrant and healthy community.

3. I support Greenlight. Small business is the lifeblood of a

community. With small businesses, typically, the money is earned in

the community and stays in the community. Managed business expansion

within the confines of Greenlight will be of benefit to Newport

Beach, not to its detriment. I would be open to evaluating

development that would bring tourists to Newport Beach. Vacationers

spend money. Why not have them spend it here. 4. I have an

undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA with an emphasis in

finance. My educational background will bring an objective analytical

approach to the council.

In the corporate environment, I have held positions ranging from

accounting to general manager. Currently self-employed, I understand

and can appreciate the position of both large and small business.

In addition, I have been previously involved in a volunteer

capacity. As a board member and past president of the California

Academic Decathlon, I understand the need to influence without

authority.

RICHARD LUEHRS

President and chief executive of the Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce.

1. While I acknowledge there are many important issues facing our

community, the most important issue facing Newport Beach today is our

beach and bay water quality. The continued improvement of beach and

bay water quality will ensure that the city’s greatest asset -- with

its coastal location, one of the largest pleasure boat harbors in the

nation, and one of the few remaining estuaries in California -- will

continue to drive property values and offer both residents and

visitors unique recreational opportunities not found in any other

community. As community leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure

the care and preservation of our water quality for future

generations. 2. The qualities that set me apart from others applying

for the position are a proven record of community involvement and

understanding of city issues with more than 25 years experience in

working with numerous boards and committees.

I have established relationships with county, state and federal

representatives that can be called upon to assist in the resolution

of important issues such as back bay dredging or control of John

Wayne Airport. I have the temperament to listen to views dissimilar

to my own without judgment or recourse. I understand the importance

of listening intently to all sides of the issue before reaching

conclusions. I have developed the ability to bring vision to my work

and can communicate the vision with clarity and commitment. I have

excellent interpersonal skills and have worked to develop positive

relationships between diverse, and often opposing groups of people. I

am visible and accessible to members of the community. I have the

courage to confront difficult problems and make tough decisions. I

value the decision-making process as critical to both the quality and

ownership of the outcome. I listen to my team members and regularly

draw upon the expertise and insights of others to create consensus. I

care about and am committed to the professional development of my

co-workers and others.3. My position on development in the city is

one of moderation, flexibility and managed improvements. The city is

“built out” and, as a result, development opportunities on vacant

land are limited. However, the city does have opportunities for

redevelopment and should embrace and encourage continued investment

in the community. Whether a re-roof in the neighborhood, or a general

plan amendment request for a new business venture, we should look for

opportunities to support the investment as long as potential

environmental impacts are properly identified and we can be assured

the project will adequately mitigate those impacts. The bottom line

is to continue, and where possible, to enhance the quality of life in

Newport Beach.

As to the Greenlight measure, I have been and remain an outspoken

critic of this new law. Since it is now part of the city’s charter,

as a member of the Newport Beach City Council I will pledge my

allegiance to uphold the laws of the city, state and nation including

those with which I may not personally agree. 4. As the president and

chief executive officer of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce for

the past 22 years, I have been given a unique opportunity to work on

many important issues impacting our community.

I am a founding member of the city’s economic development

committee and have worked closely with former chairman Rush Hill and

his successor, Ed Selich, on a number of issues resulting in positive

economic outcomes for the city. I have served four years as a past

member and chairman of the city’s Environmental Quality Affairs

Committee. I currently serve as a member of the city of Newport Beach

Building Code Board of Appeals and have chaired the board for two

years. I have worked closely and developed personal relationships

with many of the city’s department heads and staff, and am familiar

with the decision making process at City Hall. I have also

established strong working relationships with our state

representatives in Sacramento through weekly conference calls, annual

lobbying trips and regular contact with staff representatives for

more than 20 years.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce -- a small-business organization whose mission is to promote

economic opportunity through business and community leadership -- I

have had the opportunity to work closely with some of our top

business and community leaders to make Newport Beach a better place

in which to live and work. I played an important leadership role in

founding the annual Taste of Newport, now in its 16th year, which was

developed to maintain the city’s market share of the restaurant

industry, and bring attention to the many fine dining opportunities

in our community. I was also instrumental in bringing much needed

organization and financial support to the annual Newport Harbor

Christmas Boat Parade, which draws nearly one million people to our

city each December and showcases our community as one of the premier

cities in the nation.

RON WINSHIP

Business: film production.

1. Credibility certainly comes to mind. Closed ranks and a

shoulder-to-shoulder mentality never encourages one to believe that

the government in question offers a free open exchange of ideas or

attitudes.

Those that have time to watch council proceedings will mention

that the snide remarks to citizens, commission members or peers

rarely encourage positive and enlightening exchanges in an open

debate atmosphere. Diversity of opinion is always a healthy concept,

which might be helpful. Newport Beach is certainly not a homogeneous

political mind set. The council should reflect that diversity. 2.

Well, we have failed four times to win an election in District 4!

Having said that, it becomes obvious that we are not paid off by any

special interest group. It should further be quite obvious that

instead of pandering to various groups within the city and making

promises that we may or could not keep, we will always vote our

conscious with the basic mission statement that: “Whatever is best

for the city of Newport Beach can’t be all bad!”3. Greenlight was a

great concept. Limit egregious unlimited invasive growth that would

affect our environment, our traffic and our quality of life. The

mincing of Greenlight and the council’s reaction to it has been less

than cordial. Phil Arst reflects a basically dysfunctional Greenlight

Committee that is less than willing to be forthcoming or exact in

their interpretation of the law. The current members of the council

have been overreactive and defensive beyond reasonable limits. The

result has been that the citizens are left confused or disillusioned

with either party at this point. No one wants 37-story buildings in

Newport Beach -- either in the city or on it’s borders. Hopefully,

both parties will get their respective acts together and actually

vote up or down on projects before they place those that any logical

citizen may believe egregious -- on the ballot for both public view

and full disclosure. Time Shares on park and tidelands ... what a

concept.

4. Employment diversity always seems to confuse people. Yes, I was

an engineer at Cape Kennedy. Yes, I was a cryptographic teletype

operator in the U.S. Army from 1967-69, a sailor and mate on private

yachts in Newport Beach for three years, a competitive surfer, a

restaurant manager, a captain in upscale restaurants, a commercial

security agent for Westec Security and others for four years, an

actor, a public relations and marketing director, and a writer,

producer, director, media interviewer for the last seven years. Being

married to the greatest woman in world for the last 17 years doesn’t hurt either.

So now, we are launching a radio talk show on major-market Los

Angeles radio in the next couple of months. Yes, it’s a political

commentary, call-in and in-studio interview program. We do have a

life, so that might be a conflict of interest, but we will have to

let the current members of council make that decision.