Foley Announces On Facebook That She's Running!

IT'S OFFICIAL - FOLEY IS RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD
Well, it didn't surprise me at all that Katrina Foley got up before dawn and was among the first people at the Registrar's office to pull papers to run for the District 2 Trustee seat on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board in November. She's not one to let any grass grow under her feet on any issue! She announced this move on her Facebook page early this morning. Planning Commissioner Steve Mensinger has been attempting to draft Katrina for this slot for months.

COLLIER AND SNEEN TO RUN?
Katrina will probably face incumbent Michael Collier and, rumor has it, former Board member Linda Sneen. Should make for an interesting race.

HOW MANY BALLS CAN SHE JUGGLE?
I asked Katrina when the rumors first came up a few months ago just how she would manage her responsibilities to her family, her business, her role on the City Council and the School Board simultaneously. At the time it was unclear that, if successful in her run for the School Board seat, she would be required to give up her council seat. Gary Monahan currently holds both a seat on the City Council and on the Sanitary District Board. Another Facebook friend asked the same question today. Here is Katrina's response: It is my understanding that I could not do both. But, that decision is for a later date, because I would have to win first and then resign from my council seat. I feel that improving our schools and in many instances--the reputation of our schools-- is so critical to the overall health of our city, I am willing to leave my seat given that my Trustee Area election will not come up again until 2014. Let me know what you think...

So, there you have it... if she wins in November she will resign from the City Council.

WHO WILL DECIDE ON HER REPLACEMENT?
As we launch into the campaign season this year, her decision creates some interesting scenarios. If she wins in November and resigns from the City Council, that will leave a council of Gary Monahan, Eric Bever and, potentially, two new members to appoint her replacement. It's very unlikely that the council would call for a special election. We assume Wendy Leece is running again, but her re-election is far from guaranteed. We also assume that perennial candidate Jim Righeimer will run again and get the assistance of a full-court press by the OC GOP. Heck, he might even win this time. Then, again, he might not. Some folks may still not trust him for his attempt to kill the Fairgrounds deal. We'll see.

WHO MIGHT FILL FOLEY'S SLOT?
Who, then, might a council of Monahan, Bever, Leece and Riggy appoint? Riggy's buddy, Mensinger? Fellow planning commissioner Colin McCarthy? Will they do what many would consider the correct thing and simply appoint the third-highest vote-getter in the November election. This is going to be fun.

FUN ON THE SCHOOL BOARD
And, speaking of fun, I keep trying to imagine Katrina Foley on the School Board and a big smile breaks out on my face. I think it's safe to say that her presence on the Board will make for some lively discussion of important issues. Some would say "it's about time!".