POLITICS ASIDE:To correct or not to correct

Some days I feel like this column is my own personal corrections department.

A month or so ago, I had to admit I missed Newport Beach City Council candidate Barbara Venezia at an Orange County Performing Arts Center event.

Now, I may — or may not — have slighted Newport Beach’s mayor.

Let’s check.

Last week, I wrote about Newport’s centennial birthday party, which came complete with cake, cupcakes and a proclamation by the mayor, Don Webb.

More specifically, I wrote: “Here’s a riddle.

“How can you tell which council member is not running for office? It’s the one in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.

“That was one thing I learned at last Friday’s Newport Beach birthday party, out in front of City Hall.

“Councilman Tod Ridgeway, for those who weren’t there, was the one in shorts and the shirt, while his colleagues all had on dark jackets and ties. (Even Councilman Steve Rosansky, who isn’t running for reelection, either, but still can someday.)”

I think I meant to make the joke about councilmen … and then I would have been fine.

But, as the mayor pointed out to me in an e-mail: “I think I was there (I was introduced to read a proclamation, I think) but I did not have a dark jacket or tie on, just the usual straw hat, Reyn Spooner Centennial shirt but long pants. Leslie Daigle was in light blue. You did accurately describe Tod and the other 4 though. I guess 5/7 right is ok. Are you trying to ignore the Mayor again?”

First off, there’s no way I’m going to ever ignore a mayor again — if I ever did. But I know not to get in a competition with one.

Second, if I’d just changed the phrase “council member” to “councilman” I could have side-stepped Councilwoman Leslie Daigle’s attendance entirely. (Admittedly, as much as I think it’s good for the council to have a diverse viewpoint, whether by gender, age or any other characteristic you can think of, having a council full of men would have made that joke a lot smoother.)

Third, I did “ignore” the mayor because he’s only kind of having to run for reelection. As the only candidate without competition, I’m assuming Webb will be getting four more years on the dais. And so I figured he could show up at the event in a Reyn Spooner shirt and not worry about looking all “candidate-like.”

But his colleagues? They need to look serious, even at an event with hundreds of cupcakes.

So, correction needed? I’ll let readers be the judge.

A very civilized forum

Another place readers could be the judge just came and went. As I write this column — not terribly on deadline but not exactly days ahead — I’m getting geared up for my first Newport Beach City Council candidates’ forum.

Speak Up Newport held its forum for candidates on Wednesday night at the Newport Beach Yacht Club. (Hey, as a side note, the online program points out that while Webb is seeking reelection, since he is unopposed he had “graciously given up his time.” I’m thinking I was right above, no?)

You should be able to read about it on this page today — unless something really newsworthy happened after I filed this column in the afternoon — but you may not read about what really struck me as innovative about the forum

I’ll quote directly from the group: “Reception: 5:00 -- 6:00 pm (with appetizers and a cash bar) Program: 6:00 pm -- 8:00 pm”

That’s right, prior to the forum there was a cocktail hour.

Now, I’m not expecting any of the candidates to make repeated trips (I can hope … ), but this is the first idea I’ve ever heard that might make a candidate forum honestly enjoyable.

Maybe a questioner with a couple martinis in him will ask a really tough question. Maybe a group of supporters will shout down an opposing candidate.

Heck, anything’s possible.

Now, obviously, my reason for going is entirely the chance to hear all the candidates at one time, before the paper sits down and talks with them.

That there’s a cocktail hour is a complete coincidence.