The Political Landscape: Tiki Bar survives opposition

Citing what she perceives as a glut of bars in Westside Costa Mesa, Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece unsuccessfully tried to hold up a liquor license at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting for the old Tiki Bar on Placentia Avenue.

“I’m concerned we already have some hot spots in town and there is a concentration of establishments in the area,” Leece said. “It’s a center for people from all over to come to drive around at 2 a.m. A lot of people on our streets are under the influence.”

The Tiki Bar, 1700 Placentia Ave., has been shuttered since May 2007, but a new owner wants to reopen the Polynesian-themed restaurant and bar.

The establishment already has a use permit, but the liquor license has lapsed.

Councilman Eric Bever also chimed in, expressing his disapproval of the Tiki Bar.

“We have a high rate of assaults — mutual slugfests that occur in the area due in part to a high number of liquor-serving establishments,” Bever said.

The Costa Mesa Police Department reported there had been no previous problems with the Tiki Bar serving alcoholic beverages, according to a city report on the matter.

Leece and Bever floated a motion to ignore the new owner’s request, which would have held up the new owner’s liquor license with the state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for as long as three months.

However, Council members Gary Monahan and Katrina Foley, as well as Mayor Allan Mansoor sided with the new owner and eventually gave the Tiki Bar the go ahead.

PAWLENTY OF ACTION AT POLITICAL CONFERENCE

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is rumored to be considering a presidential run in 2012, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Western Conservative Political Action Conference.

Slated for Oct. 16 and 17 at the Radisson Newport Beach, the event is an annual showcase for conservative ideas.

This year’s conference will include panel discussions with titles like “Obama Express: Anti-American Policy Blitz Krieg” and “Conservative Principles for Reinvigorating California’s Economy.”

Other speakers at this year’s conference include Assemblyman Chuck DeVore; John Fund, political reporter and columnist for the Wall Street Journal; California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and Ralph Reed Jr., founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition.