Council gets its pick tonight

Five have applied to fill seat vacated by John Heffernan; knowledge of issues is key, members say.When Newport Beach City Council members meet tonight to fill the vacancy on the dais, they may be looking for someone who plans to stick around.

The council will interview five applicants to replace John Heffernan, who resigned last month. Heffernan represented the Seventh Council District, which includes the Port Streets, Spyglass, Newport Ridge, Newport Coast and several other neighborhoods.

“I don’t think we’re looking for a seat-warmer. We want someone who’s committed to the job,” Councilman Steve Rosansky said Monday.

That means someone who plans to run for the seat in November -- and someone who will complete the term if elected. Heffernan won his second four-year term in 2004 but abruptly resigned in January, citing family and business commitments.

The five people who applied for the seat are financial advisor Keith Curry, community volunteer Nancy Jones, local activist Dolores Otting, architect Scott Peotter and employment agency manager Daniel Wampole.

The council will follow the same procedure it’s used three times in the last three years, Mayor Don Webb said. Applicants will come in one by one, in random order, and give a short opening statement, answer council questions and make a closing statement. When all applicants have been interviewed, council members and the public will have the chance to speak before the council votes.

A candidate must secure a four-vote majority to be appointed to the seat. If the council is unable to appoint someone, a special election would be called for June 6.

Council members said they’ll look for someone who is knowledgeable on city issues and is willing to listen to the community. Councilwoman Leslie Daigle also said she wants a fiscal conservative who believes in property rights and would be a good steward of the environment.

One factor council members won’t weigh heavily is Heffernan’s request that Otting be appointed. Otting lost to Heffernan in 2004 by 3,125 votes.

Three of the five council members reached Monday said the recommendation won’t carry any weight with them.

“If you follow that recommendation, you now discount the four other people,” Councilman Tod Ridgeway said. “That is not fair.”

Webb and Rosansky also said the suggestion won’t influence them.

Councilman Ed Selich said he’d consider it, and Daigle said she values Heffernan’s input. Councilman Dick Nichols was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers government and politics. She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at alicia.robinson@latimes.com.