Candidate Forum Viewing Schedules
WANT MORE POLITICS - HERE YOU GO!
Well, we're staring yet another warm and glorious weekend in the face and I doubt many of you will want to sacrifice your special time to wade further into the political morass that has become Costa Mesa politics this year. However, if you do wish to educate yourselves about some of the candidates beyond the rhetoric that is appearing here and in the press elsewhere, here's some information that will be helpful to you. Even if you don't watch these programs this weekend, they will run on the schedules indicated through the election. The streaming video links may be viewed anytime.
EASTSIDE COSTA MESA NEIGHBOR'S GROUP FORUM
Before I list the play schedules of the first three candidate forums for you I will remind you that next Thursday, October 14th, my friends from the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbor's Group will host the last council candidate forum before the election. This one, as was the case with the first one in August hosted by Mesa Verde Community, Inc., will be a "pure" forum - not contaminated by the presence of Newport Beach candidate or School Board hopefuls. The doors open at 6:30 at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue. (Lions Park) for a "meet and greet". The formal part, moderated by Eastsider Marnie Primmer, will run from 7-8:30, with another short opportunity for chatting up the candidates following.
NO TELEVISION COVERAGE - LIVE, IN PERSON, ONLY
Unfortunately, this forum WILL NOT be televised, either live or taped for future viewing. My Eastside friends had the opportunity to conduct their forum in the City Council chambers and have it televised live and placed into the tape rotation, but opted to to decline that invitation. Your last chance to see the candidates in action will be live next Thursday. See you there.
GRACIAS, CMTV
While we're on the subject of television, a tip of the hat to Dane Bora and Brad Long from Costa Mesa Television for providing most of the coverage you'll see on these schedules. You'll see I caught their good sides at the Mesa Verde forum here. Through their tireless efforts 
and professionalism they continue to provide Costa Mesa residents with excellent video records of important events in our community. I encourage you to check the program schedule on the city web site - there's a link at the bottom right corner of the Home Page - to see the most recent productions. It's great stuff!
MESA VERDE COMMUNITY, INC., 8/18/10
The first candidate forum of this election cycle was hosted on August 18th by Mesa Verde Community, Inc., and was a good jumping off point. Moderator Darnell Wyric
k did a great job of moving things along. I've written about it before, HERE. You may wish to view the proceedings on CMTV Channel 24 (or Channel 99 on ATT UVerse). Or, you may wish to view it on streaming video at the city web site, HERE. The following is the program schedule for that forum:
FEET TO THE FIRE, 9/30/10
The second forum, the "Feet To The Fire" forum, was held on September 30th at the Neighborhood Community Center and was a very special event because it included council candidates from both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. The moderator was Orange County Register columnist Barbara Venezia - dresse
d in a completely appropriate "flaming" outfit - and the interrogators were the cream of the local media crop - Register columnist Frank Mickadeit, Daily Pilot Editor John Canalis, Voice of OC Editor-in-chief Norberto Santana, Jr. and Newport Independent Editor Roger Bloom. I reported on it HERE. If you wish to view the streaming video provided by Newport Beach TV and placed in the Costa Mesa rotation you can do so HERE. The following is the program schedule for that event on CMTV and UVerse:
COSTA MESA UNITED, 10/6/10
The fin
al televised forum was the one hosted by Costa Mesa United on Wednesday, October 6th, also at the Neighborhood Community Center. This was another hybrid, with Costa Mesa council candidates being joined by candidates for seats in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Trustees. Only candidates in contested seats were invited. The thrust of this forum was "Academics, Athletics and Activities", and it was moderated by Costa Mesa United Board President Gordon Bowley. You can read my report HERE. Interrogators for this forum were John Canalis, Daily Pilot Sports Edito
r Steve Virgen and Newport Beach Independent Publisher Tom Johnson. If you wish to view the streaming video click HERE. The following is the program schedule for that forum on CMTV and ATT Uverse:
THINGS ARE GETTING NASTY
If you follow the local media you know that the Costa Mesa City Council race is really heating up. The way it's headed now, it looks like it may be the most unsavory campaign locally in my memory. The tension between candidate Jim Righeimer and the public employee unions is palpable. There are so many unpleasant incidents now that it's just painful to recall all of them. It now appears that an innocent bystander in this fray, candidate Chris McEvoy, is going to be drawn into the battle, with Righeimer's crew now threatening to publicize an alcohol-related arrest McEvoy had several years ago - something he spoke about openly the last time he ran two years ago. I'll comment on how this race is going later. For now, please use this entry as a reference point when you wish to hear the candidates word unedited. Happy viewing...
Well, we're staring yet another warm and glorious weekend in the face and I doubt many of you will want to sacrifice your special time to wade further into the political morass that has become Costa Mesa politics this year. However, if you do wish to educate yourselves about some of the candidates beyond the rhetoric that is appearing here and in the press elsewhere, here's some information that will be helpful to you. Even if you don't watch these programs this weekend, they will run on the schedules indicated through the election. The streaming video links may be viewed anytime.EASTSIDE COSTA MESA NEIGHBOR'S GROUP FORUM
Before I list the play schedules of the first three candidate forums for you I will remind you that next Thursday, October 14th, my friends from the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbor's Group will host the last council candidate forum before the election. This one, as was the case with the first one in August hosted by Mesa Verde Community, Inc., will be a "pure" forum - not contaminated by the presence of Newport Beach candidate or School Board hopefuls. The doors open at 6:30 at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue. (Lions Park) for a "meet and greet". The formal part, moderated by Eastsider Marnie Primmer, will run from 7-8:30, with another short opportunity for chatting up the candidates following.NO TELEVISION COVERAGE - LIVE, IN PERSON, ONLY
Unfortunately, this forum WILL NOT be televised, either live or taped for future viewing. My Eastside friends had the opportunity to conduct their forum in the City Council chambers and have it televised live and placed into the tape rotation, but opted to to decline that invitation. Your last chance to see the candidates in action will be live next Thursday. See you there.
GRACIAS, CMTV
While we're on the subject of television, a tip of the hat to Dane Bora and Brad Long from Costa Mesa Television for providing most of the coverage you'll see on these schedules. You'll see I caught their good sides at the Mesa Verde forum here. Through their tireless efforts 
and professionalism they continue to provide Costa Mesa residents with excellent video records of important events in our community. I encourage you to check the program schedule on the city web site - there's a link at the bottom right corner of the Home Page - to see the most recent productions. It's great stuff!MESA VERDE COMMUNITY, INC., 8/18/10
The first candidate forum of this election cycle was hosted on August 18th by Mesa Verde Community, Inc., and was a good jumping off point. Moderator Darnell Wyric
k did a great job of moving things along. I've written about it before, HERE. You may wish to view the proceedings on CMTV Channel 24 (or Channel 99 on ATT UVerse). Or, you may wish to view it on streaming video at the city web site, HERE. The following is the program schedule for that forum:
FEET TO THE FIRE, 9/30/10
The second forum, the "Feet To The Fire" forum, was held on September 30th at the Neighborhood Community Center and was a very special event because it included council candidates from both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. The moderator was Orange County Register columnist Barbara Venezia - dresse
d in a completely appropriate "flaming" outfit - and the interrogators were the cream of the local media crop - Register columnist Frank Mickadeit, Daily Pilot Editor John Canalis, Voice of OC Editor-in-chief Norberto Santana, Jr. and Newport Independent Editor Roger Bloom. I reported on it HERE. If you wish to view the streaming video provided by Newport Beach TV and placed in the Costa Mesa rotation you can do so HERE. The following is the program schedule for that event on CMTV and UVerse:
COSTA MESA UNITED, 10/6/10
The fin
al televised forum was the one hosted by Costa Mesa United on Wednesday, October 6th, also at the Neighborhood Community Center. This was another hybrid, with Costa Mesa council candidates being joined by candidates for seats in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Trustees. Only candidates in contested seats were invited. The thrust of this forum was "Academics, Athletics and Activities", and it was moderated by Costa Mesa United Board President Gordon Bowley. You can read my report HERE. Interrogators for this forum were John Canalis, Daily Pilot Sports Edito
r Steve Virgen and Newport Beach Independent Publisher Tom Johnson. If you wish to view the streaming video click HERE. The following is the program schedule for that forum on CMTV and ATT Uverse:
THINGS ARE GETTING NASTY
If you follow the local media you know that the Costa Mesa City Council race is really heating up. The way it's headed now, it looks like it may be the most unsavory campaign locally in my memory. The tension between candidate Jim Righeimer and the public employee unions is palpable. There are so many unpleasant incidents now that it's just painful to recall all of them. It now appears that an innocent bystander in this fray, candidate Chris McEvoy, is going to be drawn into the battle, with Righeimer's crew now threatening to publicize an alcohol-related arrest McEvoy had several years ago - something he spoke about openly the last time he ran two years ago. I'll comment on how this race is going later. For now, please use this entry as a reference point when you wish to hear the candidates word unedited. Happy viewing...Labels: Candidate Forum, Chris McEvoy, Jim Righeimer
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 10/08/2010 04:10:00 PM
13 Comments:
Let's look at our upcoming election for the open Costa Mesa city council seats analytically.
We have 5 candidates running for 2 city council seats. Wendy Leece is the only incumbent. She is highly respected, and has proven herself (she's a shoo in). Jim Righeimer is a city of Costa Mesa planning commissioner (who's personal finances should be private), Chris McEvoy is a pro medical marijuana candidate with a DUI, Sue Lester is a pro medical marijuana candidate with little knowledge of our city, and the other candidate is reputed to be "in over his head" due to being a newcomer with no knowledge of city history.
It looks to me a like failure to vote for Wendy Leece and Jim Righeimer will only lead to MORE marijuana proliferation in Costa Mesa. Our entire police force must want more crime in town, more pot heads on every street corner, more DUI arrests, more deaths from frequent accidents, increased use of heroin, meth, and cocaine, more mental illness, a greater drug exposure to our children of all ages, etc.
And last, but certainly not least, .......... with a couple of potheads on the city council, how could anyone possibly expect good governance?
I must assume that is what the police department wants. Do we now have a dumb crop of cops in this city? With that kind of thinking, why should they get any pension benefits at all?
Vicki, be advised that McEvoy DOES NOT have a DUI conviction and spreading that lie makes you liable for defamation.
As to Righeimer vs. McEvoy - would you describe "good governance" as transparent, follow the rules governance? If so, Righeimer is not your man. As he has demonstrated so many times since he moved to town, he makes the rules up as he goes along, attempting to re-make our city into his personal vision of what it should be - and he's not above violating the rules to do it.
I think we should bring video cameras and record it ourselves. You never know, it could be immensely entertaining.
Or maybe just a waste of media...
Potstirrer,
You keep advising your commenters that they may be defaming McEvoy by referencing his DUI arrest which I read he was able to plead down to a "wet reckless" (whatever that is).
I would think that you should be the one to worry about defaming McEvoy, as it is on your blog where the defamation occurs. You are the one that reviews the incoming comments and decides to post them or not. If you find vulgar language, insulting remarks, or lies about a person, shouldn't you refuse to post them on your blog? As the arbitrator of which comments to post or not to post aren't you ultimately responsible for everything on your blog? Aren't you the buck stops with you guy when it is your blog?
Also, you said, “Perhaps you should read the letter your pal, Righeimer, had his lawyer/brother-in-law send to me and others for some appropriate legal threat language”
So, are you willing to post the letter for us to see? Or, does posting the letter put you in legal jeopardy?
Hahahahahahahahahahaha Vicky. Personal finances should be disclosed for all elected government officials. That is how the citizens know if the politician is on the take for example, or in the case of Jim Righeimer, if they are incapable of properly using money and utilizing credit. Also, it shows honesty, which Jim Righeimer lacks.
"Good governance" implies that the laws are followed; Jim Righeimer has proven he is not capable opf this and so I MUST ASSUME HE IS A TERRIBLE OPTION FOR COUNCIL.
Also, medical marijuana was approved by THE MAJORITY of California citizens. Last time I checked that makes it law. Is the law poorly written and completely abused; absolutely. However, this is not the fault of Costa Mesa PD who legally cannot touch medical marijuana establishments that are operating within the law. CMPD can raid establishments that are not legal and attempt to shut them down; something that has already happened in the city this year. Try to keep up Vicki.
Actually mcevoy was arrested for a dui and plead to a wet reckless, was placed on a three year probation, and forced to appear in front of a MADD board. He never spoke once about it in the last election and now it is coming out. Just the fact that he was arrested should disqualify him from running. I am asking Chief Shawkey to resign for not vetting mcevoy. My son was killed by a drunk driver and mcevoy has shown no remorse for his crime.
opinionated, actually, BEFORE I posted the first comment about McEvoy's event 4 years ago I consulted with him. I didn't want to publish something that was inaccurate. He explained the circumstances to me and I published the other comment. Thanks for your concern for my well-being, though. And, no, I don't plan to publish the letter. I figure Righeimer's cohorts have access to it...
Deepthroat, he also had to pay $250 in fines. However, he was NOT convicted of a DUI. Simply the fact that he was stopped and taken to the police station does not disqualify him from running for office. You have no idea whether McEvoy has shown remorse for anything. I'm sorry for your loss, but that doesn't make you judge and jury on every case henceforth.
Potstirrer,
I don’t think you gave a direct answer to my question about your being responsible for all comments posted on your blog.
You, on several occasions, warn those who commented in the past that you, through your Blog provider, can be forced to provide their identity from Internet logs.
You stated: “I know you know that, if required by the legal system, it's possible to backtrack a blog comment, right? No? Too bad for you.”
This means the court can order information from any ISP providers as to your blog commenter’s actual identity. You, as the final decider, of which comments are published on your blog, aren’t you ultimately, the person responsible for everything that appears here?
Also, I am not one of Riggy’s “cohorts” so I, and probably many of your blog readers, would appreciate your making your letter from Riggy’s brother-in-law lawyer available for us to review as you suggested in a recent comment.
A dui per se does not necessarily disqualify one from running for office. Unless it is a felony dui and then the situation is altogether different. If while driving under the influence you hurt someone or damage some property you face felony charges. If you are just weaving in traffic it is only a misdemeanor. This is the charge you can plead down. The question in politics is; what does a voter want in an elected official. LBJ drank all day long and he was a pretty good politician. LBJ helped the little guy and grew size of the government for everybody. And remember, he was part of the JFK administration and that was when America was at it's best. If Chris can be one tenth of LBJ we will be a Great Society in Costa Mesa. Count me as a vote for Chris. And vote for Katrina too.
opinionated,
No, I'm not going to post the letter. It's unclear whether that violates the conditions of the threat, so... no.
My understanding is that I cannot determine the identity of a comment poster, but the courts can demand that information from the host - Blogger, in this case.
As I understand it, in this new, evolving world of blogdom, the "responsibility" for comment content is vague, but tilts toward the individual commentor, not the blog owner, as being responsible. As you know, many local and national newspapers permit ANYTHING to be posted as a comment and rely on readers to post objections. They, the newspapers, exercise MUCH LESS judgment over the comment content than I do.
However, should that change - and it might - then I'll install a noose around the portal of this blog. I probably would restrict comments to those from individuals I know personally - or those who use their own identity via a Blogger account. We'll see... that's all on this subject.
Kent, Thanks for your input. I don't expect Chris to approach the stature of those men, but he's an honest guy, serious about helping his community and has no further political aspirations. He'll be beholden to the people of this city, not a bunch of power mad political hacks at the top of the local political food chain. Does he have the best resume of the current crop? Nope. Do I trust him to study the issues thoroughly, consult with knowledgeable individuals and do the best job he can? You betcha (my only reference to Sarah Palin tonight) :-)
Potstirrer,
On one or two occasions you tell your blog readers to read the legal letter that Riggy sent to you through his lawyer, but now you tell us you cannot provide the content of the letter?
How do you suggest we read it without your providing a copy of it? I hate to say it, but this seems to defy the open interaction and discourse that your blog is supposed to provide to Costa Mesa citizens.
In any case, I hope you continue to provide us with a forum to talk about the important issues that we face in the next Costa Mesa election.
Thank you.
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