Former mayor to be honored

Robert M. “Bob” Wilson, the former mayor who fought to make Goat Hill

into Costa Mesa, will be inducted into the Circle of Service at 11:30

a.m. at the Mother and Child Fountain at the Neighborhood Community

Center, 1845 Park Ave., at Lions Park in Costa Mesa.

Wilson’s family, including his wife, Maryalice, will speak on

behalf of Wilson, who was 86 when he died in January 2004.

About 50 to 80 people are expected to attend, including current

Costa Mesa City Council members. Speakers will include former Mayors

Sandra Genis and Jack Hammett and former Police Chief Roger Neth.

After moving to the community in 1948, Wilson ran a group that

pushed to incorporate Costa Mesa as a city, which was accomplished in

1953. He was elected to the city council in 1960 and served for 16

years, including three stints as mayor.

Wilson is also credited with urging the Segerstroms to build South

Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and getting the existing five-story city

hall built.