The DP 103 intrigues, but don’t take it too seriously
The 2015 DP 103, a list of newsmakers and influential types in Newport/Costa Mesa, is out!
For those suffering from PSI — political self-importance — this is a big moment, as they wait to see if they made the cut, and, if not, hoping their rivals didn’t either.
Having appeared on the list from 2010 to 2013 — when I wasn’t writing for the Daily Pilot — I can tell you that when the 103 comes out, tongues start wagging and phones start ringing.
People love to dis the list.
But the DP 103 shouldn’t be taken too seriously. After all, Newport’s Civic Center bunnies made the list last year, and coyotes did this year.
Usually our executive editor, John Canalis, writes this column about the list. This year he asked if I’d do the honors.
Having no shortage of opinions, I was delighted.
It’s important to note that the 103 are selected by the entire DP staff, who also implement reader suggestions.
People who’ve had an impact on the news and generated headlines — the good, the bad and, in some cases, the embarrassing — generally make the list.
“We also pick folks who are influential year-round,” Canalis says. “This is not an endorsement of anyone or their actions. It doesn’t mean we like someone or dislike them. It’s just means these people made headlines and lent influence in 2015.”
Each year the 103 includes the usual suspects, members of our councils, school boards, church leaders, etc.
Where those newsmakers rank each year, is equally as interesting.
Costa Mesa’s Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer, for example, ranked No. 1 in 2011, No. 3 in 2012, No. 4 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, but slid to No. 26 this time around.
Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger came in at No. 6 this year; he was No. 4 in 2014.
Does this mean these guys are less influential?
Not in my opinion. They just weren’t as controversial as their nutty, newsy Newport counterparts this past year.
In 2015, Newport politics surpassed Costa Mesa on the crazy meter in my book.
Which is why I wasn’t surprised Newport’s new mayor, Diane Dixon, took the No. 1 spot, Newport Councilman Keith Curry, No. 2, and Councilman Scott Peotter, No. 3.
Curry certainly made news as he challenged both of these members of Team Newport throughout the year, but especially Peotter. Things heated up with Peotter’s controversial email blast denouncing gay marriage.
I predict this episode will continue to cloud Peotter in 2016, if not haunt his entire term. He just might be Newport’s next one-term wonder.
An outspoken Peotter critic, resident Jeff Herdman, hits the list at No. 94. Herdman has announced his 2016 run for council, and I’m betting he’ll continue to be a thorn in Team Newport’s side.
We’ve already seen Team Newport supporter, and Residents for Reform founder, Bob McCaffrey, No. 77, request a Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) investigation into Herdman’s campaign contributions.
Herdman tells me that investigation has now been dismissed, but Dec. 22 he received a letter saying McCaffrey has now filed a second complaint against him.
“Just know that I won’t be dissuaded from running for City Council by a bully,” Herdman told me last week.
And then there’s the No. 1 slot going to Dixon. Let’s talk about this.
I really want to like this woman, I really do.
But the reporter in me can’t help being suspicious of someone who comes out of nowhere, moves to a city to run for office, gets elected, then becomes mayor pro-tem and mayor — all within a couple of years!
That kind of rise to power is unprecedented.
I’ve been covering politics long enough to know this sort of thing doesn’t happen without a very organized political machine behind you wielding influence.
The dynamic duo of McCaffrey and political hired-gun Dave Ellis, No. 78, is that machine.
So will team Ellis/McCaffrey be an unstoppable political force again in the 2016 campaign season, or will the fickle finger of fate turn on these guys?
It’ll be interesting to see if Newport voters buy the candidates they’ll be selling, or turn to those not under their sphere of influence.
On a lighter note, I was happy to see my buddies Tom Johnson and Lynn Selich, No. 74, and their KOCI radio show, “Sunday Brunch with Tom & Lynn.”
They’ve kept it light and noncontroversial over the airways interviewing newsmakers in town — that was until I joined their show this year.
And no column on the DP 103 would be complete without mentioning my two favorite bloggers, Amy Senk, No. 20, of Corona del Mar Today, and Geoff West, No. 76, of A Bubbling Cauldron.
Thanks for keeping us thinking, informed and entertained. I’m sad Senk is leaving her blog, but wish her the best.
Congratulations to all the 103, and especially my husband, OC Fair Board member Stan Tkaczyk, No. 61, and the rest of the board who all made the list.
You’ve all made 2015 an interesting, news-filled year!
BARBARA VENEZIA lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com. Listen to her weekly radio segment on ¿Sunday Brunch with Tom and Lynn¿ from 11 a.m. to noon on KOCI/101.5 FM.