Feet To The Fire Forum Tomorrow

CAMPAIGN SEASON "HEATING UP"
The Newport-Mesa campaign season will "heat up" (sorry, couldn't resist) Thursday, September 30th at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue, Costa Mesa (Lions Park), when local media personalities grill city council candidates from both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

MEDIA EGOS ON DISPLAY
The candidate forum, cleverly called the "Newport Mesa Feet To The Fire Forum" will have a panel comprised of representatives of local media outlets. Expected to participate are Orange County Register columnist Frank Mickadeit; Daily Pilot Editor John Canalis; Voice of OC Editor Norberto Santana, Jr. and Newport Beach Independent Editor Roger Bloom. Vivacious Register columnist Barbara Venezia will act as mistress of ceremonies.

JOINT FORUM FOR THE FIRST TIME
To my knowledge there has never been a candidate forum that included hopefuls from both cities together, so this should be very interesting. According to information provided, topics will be those for which there is, or should be, joint interest by both cities. For example, expect to hear questions about Banning Ranch, John Wayne Airport, the school district, the 19th Street Bridge and others. I suspect the panelists are drawing straws for the chance to interrogate Jim Righeimer about his recent gaffe at the DUI checkpoint.

EVELYN HART LEADS PLEDGE
We're told that long-time Newport Beach community activist and council member, Evelyn Hart, will kick it off by leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

NO TIES ALLOWED!
The forum, a "casual affair" according to Venezia, will begin at 7:00 p.m. - 9:00, with doors opening at 6:30. We're told that any neckties worn by gentleman participants will be snipped off with great hoopla. We'll see...

NBTV TO COVER
Newport Beach TV will cover the event for showing later on their cable channel. They will also provide a copy of their tape to Costa Mesa TV for showing on CMTV, channel 24 (99 on ATT U-verse)

MEET, GREET AND FIND A SEAT...
Be there early meet and greet the candidates and find a seat in what will likely be a packed house. See you there...