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  By BARBARA VENEZIA Register Columnist Nov. 26th 2008 Hey everybody, I'm thrilled to be writing a regular column for The Orange County Register and the Current. You'll find me here online every Friday and, starting Dec. 5, in the Current (check your newsstands) Friday. In the Current Dec. 5, we'll take a behind-the-scenes look as the Newport Beach City Council gets ready to pick the next mayor on Dec. 9. Tongues are wagging as one member is obnoxiously posturing for the job. Things are heating and someone's prior bad behavior could be resurfacing …or is that just hormonal? Stay tuned! On Dec. 3, the Costa Mesa City Council will also be selecting a new mayor. Costa Mesa's mayor serves for two years, unlike Newport's, who serves for one. You'd think Newport would take Costa Mesa's lead and extend the term to two years – since they work so closely together, it would make sense to have some synergy here. As four-time councilman and two-time Costa Mesa Mayor Gary Monahan told me, "You just get going and comfortable working together and then they change mayors, which means taking the time to build a new relationship all over again." When I asked Gary about one-year terms vs. two-year terms, he said mayors could be much more effective if they have a two-year run. Who knows, we might see that in Newport this year if Ed Selich is given a second year as mayor by his council. So who are the contenders this go around in Costa Mesa for mayor? It's unlikely that Katrina Foley has enough votes to secure the top spot. Some say she doesn't play well with others in the political sandbox. Wendy Leece could be a possible mayor pro tem choice; she's new and carries the conservative banner. Monahan says he really isn't itching to do it again, so it will probably come down to Eric Bever and Allan Mansoor. We'll be glued to the TV on Dec. 3…. Politics and gossip go hand in hand. In the coming weeks and months we'll dish the dirt and look at issues facing Newport and Costa Mesa that are bubbling to the surface. It never ceases to amaze me what people will share as they trample friends and foes while clawing their way to the top of the political food chain. The collateral damage they leave in their wake – well, those folks are especially good for a tale or two. And speaking of gossip, the rumors are true. Newport Beach Mayor Ed Selich and his longtime girlfriend, Lynn Hackman, are headed down the aisle to wedded bliss. With both their families gathered Thanksgiving Day, they made the big announcement —though it wasn't a well-hidden secret. Lynn has been slowly moving boxes into Ed's house since Halloween. The two lovebirds are as happy as can be. Lynn is beautiful and bright and Ed … well, let's just say he's Ed. They share a love of boating and fishing, and he's got to pinch himself every time he looks at Lynn wondering how he got so lucky to have caught this one in his net! I think the Register has the right recipe for success offering you online and printed news. You may sometimes find my online column different from the printed column in the Current. You'll just have to keep checking in to see what's what. I always enjoy hearing from readers, your ideas, insights and comments …the good, the bad, and the tasty tidbits. So please drop me a line, anytime. Barbara Venezia is a Newport Beach resident and former chairwoman of the Santa Ana Heights Project Advisory Committee. Her column appears online every Friday and in the Current every other Friday. |
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