OCTA picks former mayor as new chairman

Former Costa Mesa Mayor Peter Buffa was unanimously elected the new chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors this week.

Buffa replaces county Supervisor Chris Norby in the role.

OCTA has factored most prominently in the Newport-Mesa area recently as the body responsible for authorizing and funding studies to determine how to address the increasing car traffic on the 55 Freeway.

Buffa is one of a few prominent Costa Mesans on the board including Mayor Allan Mansoor and County Supervisor John Moorlach.

— Alan Blank