BACK DOWN TO EIGHT
According to the Costa Mesa's Interim City Clerk,
Brenda Green, this morning, there will be eight (8) candidates on the ballot for the three council seats available in November. Apparently late-filer
Tom Hopkins did not have enough signatures on his petition. So, in alphabetical order, here are the folks from whom you will make your selection:
Sandra L. "Sandy" Genis
Colin McCarthy
Al Melone
Steve Mensinger
Gary Monahan
James Rader
John Stephens
Harold Weitzberg
WHO IS THIS GUY?
I hope to spend some time with
James Rader early this week to find out what prompted him to jump into this race so late in the game, what his views are on the issues, etc. I'll report more when I know it.
GOOD-BYE, MARY JANE
Also, the Medical Marijuana initiative failed to qualify for the November ballot. Although the proponents turned in 6,777 signatures, 5811 were required but only 5,703 were valid.
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POLITICAL FORUM SCHEDULE
So you can plan your fall candidate viewing, here is the most recent version of the schedule of Political Forums in Costa Mesa. Each of these events will be held at the
Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (at Lions Park next door to the library).
Wednesday, August 29
Mesa Verde Community, Inc. hosts the first forum of the season. Their president,
Darnell Wyrick will moderate the event. Doors open at 6:30 and the program will run from 7-8:30.
Wednesday, September 5
Barbara Venezia and her merry band of journalist/interrogators will host a
Feet To The Fire Forum for council candidates. Doors open at 6:30 and the program runs from 7-8:30.
Thursday, September 20
Costa Mesa United hosts a forum that will include all Costa Mesa council candidates plus the three school board members that were eligible to run for re-election. Since none of them had opposition they will automatically perpetuate their terms without appearing on the ballot. President
Gordon Bowley will moderate this forum, the theme of which will be "
Academics, Athletics and Activities".
Monday, October 15
Barbara Venezia is back for another Feet To The Fire Forum at which the subject will be Jim Righeimer's Charter. She and her fellow interrogators will moderate a discussion between proponents and opponents of this issue. At this point we understand Jim Righeimer will be one of the proponent panelists and, perhaps, Orange County Employee Association General Manager Nick Berardino as one of the opponent panelists. Other panelists are unknown at this time.
Thursday, October 18
Later that week my friends in the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group will host the final council forum of this campaign season. Doors will open at 6:30 and the event will run from 7 - 8:30. This event, which two years ago was the best of the bunch, will be moderated again by Marnie O'Brien Primmer. This will be the final chance for voters to see their candidates in action and to try to measure them before casting ballots.
If anything changes on any of these forums I'll immediately notify you so you can plan ahead.
Labels: Al Melone, Charter City, Colin McCarthy, Darnell Wyrick, Gary Monahan, Harold Weitzberg, James Rader, John Stephens, Medical Marijuana, Sandra Genis, Steve Mensinger