Filling a new year’s wish bowl

Geoff West

Once again we have launched into a new year, and, in the midst of my

usual post-Christmas gorge of bowl games, I find myself pondering a

pouch full of New Year’s wishes.

With my priorities clearly in order, right at the top I wish much

success to the USC Trojans today. Fight on!

Of course, I wish for world peace and an end to hunger, but so

does every aspiring Miss America. I would also wish for health,

wealth and happiness, but I already have two out of three and don’t

want to be too greedy. While those are worthwhile wishes, I have a

whole bundle in the bottom of my bag that involve the new Costa Mesa

City Council.

For the council as a whole, I wish for them to have the ability

to weigh one another’s opinions with respect; to deliberate the

issues before them with wisdom, compassion, dignity and decorum; and

resolve them to the benefit of all residents of this city, not just

to satisfy a vocal few.

For Gary Monahan, I wish for him to have the conviction, judgment

and fortitude to do the right thing during his final two years on the

council. He’s rounded the final turn and is now in the home stretch

of what will be 12 years of service to this city on the council. That

contribution will be rewarded by the fact that he’s the only

councilman in recent memory -- if ever -- who will be eligible for a

pension, meager though it may be. The real advantage of being a

lame-duck politician is that he can finally utilize his experience to

be the statesman we all expect without worrying about reelection.

Let’s hope he uses that opportunity for the good of all Costa Mesa

residents.

Katrina Foley, I wish for a double dose of patience. No one doubts

her enthusiasm, dedication and preparedness, but as Chris Steel has

shown us over the past four years, goals cannot be met without

allies. Whether from the right or the left, and regardless how

well-crafted a position may be, a lone voice on the council is merely

a whisper in a hurricane.

For Linda Dixon, I wish for a few new pages for her songbook. The

old songs from the old, dog-eared pages don’t play well anymore.

For Eric Bever, I wish for the fulfillment of his potential. His

remarkable act of citizenship 18 months ago, when he stepped aside

for Mike Scheafer and saved the city from a costly special election,

has been rewarded by a slim victory in the recent election. It’s up

to him, now, to honor his campaign commitments to work for all

residents of this city and to prove to us that Daily Pilot columnist

Jim De Boom’s nomination of him as an Eagle among turkeys a year ago

was valid.

For Allan Mansoor, I wish for the wisdom that comes only with

experience. With two years on the council under his belt and the

possibility that he will become our next mayor, I wish him the wisdom

to weigh his words from the dais a little more carefully and good

judgment when he selects his confidants as he helps lead this city.

And finally, for the residents of Costa Mesa, I wish that more of

them will find the time to pay attention to issues in this city, and

that more of them will help provide direction and encouragement to

the leaders we’ve elected -- they’re going to need it.

Happy New Year to you all.

* GEOFF WEST is a resident of Costa Mesa.