COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS:

This year Costa Mesa voters are blessed with so many quality City Council candidates. Their enthusiasm for civic involvement was palpable in our endorsement interviews with all of them (except Mayor Eric Bever, who chose not to participate). It made our decision difficult.

But given all the bickering that’s plagued the council over the past few years, our primary goal was to support the right mix of candidates who could tamp down the sniping and move the city forward while avoiding a philosophical unanimity that eliminates constructive dissent.

Our choices are incumbent Councilwoman Katrina Foley, former Mayor Gary Monahan and newcomer Jim Righeimer.

Foley has earned another term. Some may disagree with her politics, but few would argue that she is not a dedicated civil servant. We are especially impressed with her ubiquitousness — it seems as if she’s cloned herself she appears at so many community events.

She doesn’t just talk a good game about combating graffiti — she’s eager to roll up her sleeves, organize her neighbors and go out and clean it up.

And, for example, she led the years-long charge to redevelop the El Camino Plaza, long a boil on her Mesa Del Mar neighborhood.

We could list several other good-government projects she has supported, but suffice to say she is one of this city’s most ardent advocates.

But, yes, she is controversial. She has clashed often with the majority of Bever and Council members Allan Mansoor and Wendy Leece, most notably on the plan to train Costa Mesa police to do immigration checks at the city jail. Some political observers complain that she gives as good as she gets in the council skirmishes.

It is a concern of ours and we would encourage Foley to show more patience on the dais, but her passion for civic involvement, her deep breadth of knowledge and experience make her a clear choice for reelection.

We similarly support Monahan for his deep experience and leadership. He has 12 years experience on the council so he will return a steady hand to the city, which is especially crucial at a time when Costa Mesa, like many other cities across the country, will face novel problems brought on by the global economic crisis. Monahan’s long history of bridge-building and deal-making will also enhance the council’s ability to refocus more on pragmatic solutions to the city’s problems. Too often in recent years the council has been too obsessed with more ideological issues such as immigration and trivialities like ball playing in local parks.

The times call for a pragmatist like Monahan to restore the focus to more pressing matters such as traffic, crime and spending. We are counting on him to help be a bridge between, say, Mansoor and Foley.

Righeimer, a developer who serves on the city’s Planning Commission, will bring a keen eye to the city’s development.

That’s important as city leaders eye the Westside’s future. Some worry that while gentrification could certainly improve the Westside, it could do so at the expense of some of the charm and character on that side of town.

We believe Righeimer will be sensitive to those issues and will strike the right balance. We’re also confident Righeimer will be a friendly voice on the council who can work with everyone. We were struck during our endorsement interviews that most every candidate mentioned — unprompted — that they had developed a collegial relationship with Righeimer.

With these three we look forward to a new Costa Mesa City Council that tackles issues of substance like grown-ups. It’s time the council put the bickering behind them and get to work on the bread-and-butter issues that really matter to Costa Mesa.

To see all the candidates speak on the issues, visit our Election Coverage page.