One vote at a time

They may not agree on the issues, but Costa Mesa City Council candidates share a consensus on one thing. On the final weekend before the election, the best way to get your message across is one home at a time.

Costa Mesa City Council hopefuls were busy knocking on doors this weekend to encourage voters to get to the polls Tuesday. Six candidates are running for two open council positions. Mayor Allan Mansoor is seeking a second term and the other open position is being vacated by termed-out Councilman Gary Monahan. The other candidates are Wendy Leece, Bruce Garlich, Mike Scheafer, Mirna Burciaga and Chris Bunyan.

In addition to the voting reminder, the candidates, of course, also suggested who to choose on election day.

The hopefuls vying for spots on the council had differing methods of precinct walking, but in the end, most residents in the areas they canvassed came to the same conclusion. Last minute door-to-door visits put faces with names for residents. It gives residents a chance to ask point-blank questions of the candidates. This face-to-face time may prove valuable Tuesday as people who are still undecided go to cast their ballot.

For residents it’s a nice gesture that candidates take the time to chat, answer questions and offer solutions to problems. For the candidates, it’s another hour closer to the election. Despite their obvious differences in opinions and policies, the candidates can at least agree they are collectively tired and ready to wake up Wednesday morning with their campaigns behind them. As they continue to trudge on, their fatigue is offset by offers of support and encouragement from residents, family and friends.

“The good part is you get a second wind and think you can go on forever,” said Garlich as he walked down St. Clair Street in the Mesa del Mar neighborhood. “But you think that because you know you don’t have to.”

Garlich and Schaefer walked neighborhoods Saturday with representatives of the Costa Mesa Fire and Police associations, friends, family and other supporters.

But they weren’t alone. Mansoor and Leece campaigned in the College Park neighborhood Saturday and knocked on door after door, soliciting support for their candidacies. The pair didn’t rely on voter registration records or know who had voted absentee. They simply knocked on everyone’s doors, introducing themselves and asking if the resident had any questions.

“I think it makes a difference,” Mansoor said about meeting residents. “People have questions they want to ask us in person.”

Costa Mesa resident Alan Manwarren was outside in his front yard with his two dogs when Mansoor and Leece came to his house to distribute their fliers. Manwarren, who said he was undecided, appreciated the candidates’ efforts to reach out to their constituents. Manwarren and his wife had largely seen negative campaign materials he figured were put out by Mansoor about his opponents and asked questions about it.

“I asked him point-blank questions … and he answered them,” Manwarren said outside his College Park home. “Politics are dirty these days and candidates coming to my house may change my mind. Talking face-to-face rather than just seeing all the negative information is helpful.”

Mansoor and Leece were the only ones who visited his home as of early afternoon Saturday.

Busy in many precincts across the city, Scheafer, Garlich and supporters walked neighborhoods from the west, east and north sides of the city, going down voter registration lists to chat with voters. It was their goal to attempt to talk with every registered voter.

More than 20 people gathered at City Councilwoman Katrina Foley’s house Saturday morning to collect materials to give out to residents. Each volunteer wore a campaign T-shirt.

The residents they encountered were also grateful the two were out and about visiting and answering questions. For Sandi Scheafer, Mike Scheafer’s wife, it’s also a fun way of meeting neighbors and connecting with old friends. She said both she and her husband had knocked on the doors of old high school buddies they hadn’t seen in years.

“It’s kind of fun, really, when you go in groups,” Sandi Scheafer said.

Sometimes it’s fun for residents, too, as some joked with the candidates about the upcoming election and other topics.

“Just to see their faces really makes a difference, it’s so neat they came by,” Costa Mesa native Jeff Frei said.

One thing seems certain, people have decided whether they’re going to head to the polls or send in their absentee ballots, but it does seem like the last-minute networking of the candidates may affect voters’ decisions.

For now, the candidates will continue to make calls, knock on doors and try to get more support. After Tuesday, they can finally rest.