Final Costa Mesa Candidate Forums Confirmed

THREE COSTA MESA CANDIDATE FORUMS LEFT
The remaining three candidate forums involving the Costa Mesa City Council candidates have been confirmed. Two of the three are going to be very unusual events - something not seen in these parts in my recollection. They will be what I've called "hybrids" - an unusual mix of participants.


FEET-TO-THE-FIRE FORUM ON 9/30
Next week, on Thursday, September 30th, the highly touted Media Feet To The Fire Forum involving not only the Costa Mesa candidates but those running for Newport Beach City Council as well, will be held at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Airplane Park). According to the Mistress of Ceremonies, the irrepressible Barbara Venezia, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event is scheduled to run from 7-9. The panel of interrogators will include Orange County Register columnist Frank Mickadeit, Voice of OC Editor-in-chief Norberto Santana, Jr., Newport Independent publisher (and former Daily Pilot publisher) Tom Johnson and Daily Pilot Editor John Canalis.

CASUAL EVENT - NEWPORT TV TO COVER
According to Venezia's column, HERE, the candidates are encouraged to come in casual attire - she tells us neckties will be snipped! She promises a kind of "homey" atmosphere - a stark change from most forums where rigid rules are enforced. Issues of common interest to the two cities will be discussed, which will likely include Banning Ranch, John Wayne Airport, the School District and the islands of unincorporated areas in dispute between the two cities. This event will be covered by Newport Beach Television, who will subsequently provide a tape to Costa Mesa TV for showing in their rotation and will also be available online on both city web sites. Should be fun...

COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES ON 10/6
The second forum, sponsored by Costa Mesa United, will also take place at the Neighborhood Community Center on Wednesday, October 6th and will run from 6-8 p.m. This forum will include Costa Mesa council candidates and also Newport-Mesa Unified School District candidates, as well. We're told by the sponsors that the discussions will involve issues of common concern to both Costa Mesa and the School district - defined as Academics, Athletics and Activities.

CMTV WILL COVER THIS UNUSUAL EVENT
Costa Mesa United Board President Gordon Bowley will moderate this forum, which will include a panel of community leaders, and be recorded by CMTV for later viewing. To our knowledge, there has never been this kind of candidate forum in the past, but it has the potential to be very informative and may be the only chance we have to see the school district candidates in action.

EASTSIDERS ON OCTOBER 14TH.
The remaining forum will be hosted by the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group on Thursday, October 14th, also at the Neighborhood Community Center. According to the latest information I have, doors will open at 6:30 for a "meet and greet", with the formal program running from 7-8:30. There will be a subsequent chance to chat with the candidates until 9 p.m. This forum will be moderated again by Eastsider Marnie Primmer.

NO TELEVISION COVERAGE OF THIS ONE
Unfortunately, due to budget and staffing constraints, there will be no television coverage of this event - the final pure council candidate forum of this campaign cycle. The sponsors had the opportunity to shift their forum to the City Council chambers, where it would have been televised live and also been placed in the rotation for later viewing, but they chose to stay at the community center. So, if you want one last chance to see your candidates in action you'll have to attend this one in person.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
So, mark your calendars for the final three chances for you to hear what these candidates have to say on important issues that will affect us all. There will only be a couple weeks remaining following the final forum until the election and absentee ballots will likely be mailed out by then.