The Political Landscape:

Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce President Richard Luehrs has been appointed to the new California Commission on Disability Access.

Luehrs, 62, said Wednesday he has been instructed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office not to respond to media requests about his appointment for the time being.

The Commission on Disability Access was created in 2008 to study and report back to state lawmakers about disability access issues.

The new commission also will coordinate with state and local agencies to make sure accurate information on disability-access requirements is available.

Luehrs has worked with the Newport Beach chamber since 1982.

Before that, he served as president of the Western Assn. of Chamber of Commerce Executives from 1990 to 1991; president of the Southern California Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives from 1995 to 1996; president of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of Orange County from 1987 to 1989 and executive vice president of the North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce from 1977 to 1982. Luehrs is a member of the Western Assn. of Chamber of Commerce Executives board of directors, Speak Up Newport board of directors and the Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau board of directors.

He also belongs to the Newport Beach Economic Development Committee and the Newport Beach Building Code Board of Appeals.

COUNCILMAN CURRY RATTLED BY SNAKE ISSUE IN NEWPORT BEACH

Rattled by recent reports of snakes around the Buck Gully area, Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry has asked city staff to look into the issue.

“I’d like to have some real information on how we can keep our neighborhoods safe from rattle snakes,” Curry said at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Curry was troubled by a recent spate of calls about rattle snakes in the area to Newport Beach Animal Control, as many as four in one day, he said.

The councilman has asked city staff to prepare a report on how Newport Beach residents can prevent rattle snake attacks.

GAY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS RESPOND TO SUPREME COURT DECISION

A group of interfaith religious leaders who advocate for gay rights are gathering at Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa at noon today for a news conference to support those who are distraught by the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8, eliminating gay marriage.

Costa Mesa’s Unitarian Universalist Church set up a free 24-hour hotline for those upset about the decision. The number is (877) 228-5490.

The Orange County Equality Coalition, which sprung up in response to the recent struggle for gay marriage rights, is sponsoring the news conference.

BEVER ATTEMPTS TO RALLY THE TROOPS against medical fees

Costa Mesa Councilman Eric Bever is trying to drum up support to repeal a new fee that the council recently voted to implement.

On a 3-2 vote the council asked Costa Mesa residents to pay an additional $275 to $460 on top of ambulance fees when they are treated by city paramedics and taken to the hospital.

Bever sent out a mass e-mail asking people to write to the council and come to the meeting on June 2 to protest the fee, which he considers extra taxation for a service that Costa Mesans already pay for through their property taxes.

Mayor Allan Mansoor, Councilman Gary Monahan and Councilwoman Katrina Foley all voted for the fee, saying it was necessary to generate some new revenue to deal with the city’s budget deficit.

The council is asking city employees to bear the brunt of the financial crisis by taking cuts to their pay and benefits and possibly dealing with layoffs.