New Year’s resolve

Anyone ringing in the New Year with a few resolutions? Many Newport Beach and Costa Mesa community leaders are. We asked some of them what’s on their to-do lists for 2006. Here’s what they said:

Judith O’Dea Morr, interim president of the Orange County Performing Arts Center: “Our 2006 resolution began some five years ago when we set about to create a spectacular opening for our new concert hall and music theater that would set a new standard -- a magnificent opening of the new facilities as well as a grand celebration of the center’s 20th anniversary season.”

Jean Forbath, Share Our Selves founder: “Never one to give up hope, I dream that 2006 will be the year that humanity’s basic goodness finally prevails, so that peace enshrined in justice will become a reality in our world, our nation and our city. I hope that 2006 will see Costa Mesa recapture its soul and begin building bridges and tearing down walls. It would be great if this also were to be the year that we, as a country, really start to act to provide access to decent housing and health care for all.”

Mike Scheafer, former member of the Costa Mesa City Council: “Continue to lose weight, continue to make the Fish Fry successful, get back on my surfboard on a regular basis, continue to do what I can to make Costa Mesa a more tolerant, accepting and terrific place to live, and to keep enjoying my grandkids.”

David Muller, executive director of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum: “To continue working at being a better Dad to my stepdaughter, Shannon. To build stronger friendships with communication and compassion. To laugh more and love easily. To inspire and to lead a coalition of support that will guide the nautical museum to becoming a destination location.”

Gay Wassall-Kelly, Balboa Beacon publisher: “First is to keep my New Year’s resolutions. Quit a bad habit. Sneak away on mini vacations each month with [husband] Bill. Make sure there is enough time for family and friends. Continue volunteer work. Help to keep up the excitement in Newport Beach. Take a painting class. Go to the gym ... yes, on the bottom of the list because it is not fun.”

Mirna Burciaga, Westside community activist: “I have two things I would like to accomplish. One is already accomplished but I would like to keep working on it, and that’s working on my inner peace. I would like to keep the inner peace that I have gained through so many years trying to see God in every person, no matter who they are. The other is to run a successful campaign and win a City Council seat. I’m ready for 2006 -- ready in the way that I’ve already set my mind to run.”

David Brooks, Newport-Mesa school board president: “I have a couple of overwhelming goals. One is to find a replacement for Dr. Barbot and the other one is to implement the Measure F bond -- to get going on that so we don’t have a lot of lag time.”

Mary Hornbuckle, Coast Community College District trustee: “I have one major New Year’s resolution, and that’s to do the best possible job for the colleges in the district. My minor one is to stay organized.”

Laure Kohne, Newport Harbor High School Student Political Action Committee president: “I hope not to succumb to senioritis.”

Tony Valenzuela, community liaison at TeWinkle Middle School and Estancia High School: “I want to make sure that I help the Hispanic community as much as possible. With everything that’s going on with immigration, a lot of them are pretty scared and they’re not wanting to come out much.”

Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a member of the Army National Guard for nearly 23 years and now a major: “I’d like to make lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard. I’m up for it and I’ve got to maintain my physical condition, so I guess my resolution would be that I can do enough push-ups and sit-ups and run a fast enough mile to requalify.”

As to his political goals, DeVore said, “I certainly would like to go through the year without any tax increases, with no major spending increases and ... no massive bonded indebtedness.”

Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor, who is up for reelection in 2006 but hasn’t officially announced a run: “I certainly would like to continue working to make Costa Mesa a clean, safe, quiet place to live. For the new year I certainly want to establish the process to start getting the utilities put underground, and I want to see some beautiful projects completed on the Westside.”

Orange County Fair Chief Executive Becky Bailey-Findley: “I have for 2006 envisioned and hope and will work toward getting some new facilities and improvements for the fairgrounds. We need a face lift.”

Improvements could include renovations to the main mall at the fairgrounds or a new exhibit building. Bailey-Findley said the money for the work is already in reserve.

Newport Beach resident and community activist Dolores Otting: “I would just hope that since it was the first year anniversary of the tsunami [in Southeast Asia] that we can get on track and get our [the city’s] emergency preparedness plan ready for people to participate in.”

Costa Mesa parks and recreation commissioner Byron De Arakal: “I just think from a city perspective my resolution is probably to have two more lighted soccer fields online by the end of the year. My other [resolution] from a personal standpoint is to take up blogging.”

Nancy Gardner, founder of the Newport Beach chapter of the Surfrider Foundation: “I want to do something where we really raise awareness. I want to make a difference on urban runoff.”

Dan Marcheano, owner of the Arches restaurant and retired Devil Dog: “Our resolution at the Arches is to support the Marines and their families. And hopefully they’ll be coming back soon after they clean up that mess.”