Newcomer sees being novice as a strength

Deirdre Newman

Catherine Emmons wants to give back to the community and has set her

sights on the brass ring of service: a seat on the City Council dais.

The 34-year-old business owner has lived in the city for more than

14 years and thinks the council could use another dose of young blood

and female representation.

“I’m a woman who has a lot of great ideas, great listening

skills,” Emmons said. “So far, I’ve loved talking to my neighbors,

people in general, about what goes on -- their concerns and their

thoughts.”

She grew up in Rancho Mirage with a mom who was involved in

helping some city council candidates with their elections.

With a penchant for interior design, she studied building codes,

space planning and elements of design at the Interior Designers

Institute in Newport Beach.

Emmons is running against incumbent Steve Rosansky and resident

John Buttolph for the West Newport district.

She started her own business, Hang, Crate & Connect Inc. -- a

company that creates and moves fragile items like chandeliers and

pool tables -- in 1997. Her business serves customers from Ventura

County to San Diego.

“I knew someone in the business that taught me the business,”

Emmons said. “I just decided to go and start my own [business] and

have been successful ever since. People haven’t stopped calling me.

It also frees me up to do other things, like run for City Council.”

One of the issues she is concerned about is making more of a

family day of the Fourth of July celebration in her district, which

has gotten tamer in recent years with more city intervention, she

said.

“From witnessing what happened in Palm Springs, I think I can also

offer some suggestions and changes,” said Emmons.

She does not want to see the city overrun by development, she

said.

“I feel that there’s a lot of wanting to do developing, and I’d

rather see Newport Beach stay the way it is,” she said.

Her personal style can adapt, depending on the circumstances, she

added.

“I can be aggressive, and I can also be an introvert and extrovert

when needed,” she said. “I find that sometimes being aggressive is

not the best choice.”

She sees herself as removed from the politicking of her two

opponents.

“I feel they are both fighting each other, and I don’t think it’s

about fighting each other, it’s about fighting for the people and

listening,” she said.

While she has gotten knocked for her lack of community service,

she said that being a novice on the council could work in her favor.

“I’m very teachable and willing to listen rather than if I was set

in my ways,” she said. “Maybe that’s what sets me apart -- I have

more of an open outlook for the city of Newport Beach.”

In her spare time, she enjoys aerobics and tennis, walking her

dog, bicycling and swimming.