3 forums for council candidates are on the way

Voters will have a few chances this coming week to hear from candidates running for City Council seats in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

On Tuesday morning, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a panel discussion with the candidates running for the city’s three available council seats in the November election.

Businessman and community advocate Mike Glenn, businessman Lee Lowrey and retired educator Jeff Herdman are vying for the District 5 seat, which represents Balboa Island, Harbor Island, the Fashion Island area and a portion of Big Canyon. Councilman Ed Selich, who currently represents District 5, is termed out this year.

Attorney and Finance Committee member Will O’Neill, attorney Phil Greer and former Planning Commissioner Fred Ameri are running for the District 7 seat, which represents Newport Coast and Newport Ridge. Councilman Keith Curry, who currently represents the area, also is termed out this year.

Harbor Commissioner Brad Avery is running for the District 2 seat, which represents Newport Heights and Newport Crest. Law student Shelley Henderson has announced her intent to run but has not yet submitted paperwork to make it official. The district’s current council member, Tony Petros, is not running for reelection.

Council hopefuls have until Wednesday to file paperwork to run for District 2. The deadline for the two other seats was Friday.

Glenn, Lowrey, Herdman, Greer, O’Neill and Ameri have said they plan to attend the forum, said chamber President Steve Rosansky.

Rosansky said the discussion will touch on community issues such as traffic, airport noise, art and infrastructure.

“These are basic bread and butter issues that every City Council hopeful should be cognizant of and hopefully be able to intelligently speak about,” Rosansky said.

Lucy Dunn, president of the Orange County Business Council, will moderate the program at the Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. It will begin with continental breakfast at 7 a.m., followed by the panel at 7:30 a.m.

Reservations are required for preferred seating. To make a reservation, visit newportbeach.com.

Feet to the Fire

Daily Pilot columnist and Newport Beach resident Barbara Venezia will again don her flame-emblazoned leather pants for this year’s Feet to the Fire forums, which she will lead along with Newport resident and former Daily Pilot publisher Tom Johnson.

Newport Beach council candidates will take the stage Wednesday at Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theater in Costa Mesa.

Lowrey, Avery and O’Neill will not attend, Venezia said.

On Thursday, candidates for the Costa Mesa council will have their turn at the same location.

Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger and Councilwoman Sandy Genis are both running for reelection. Mesa Verde resident John Stephens, former mayor and state legislator Allan Mansoor, Eastside resident Lee Ramos, Mesa Verde resident Jay Humphrey and State Streets resident Al Melone also are running for the three available seats. Councilman Gary Monahan is termed out.

The hour-long forums will touch on issues such as traffic and development in Newport Beach and motels, rehab homes and local ballot initiatives in Costa Mesa.

“People will get to know the personalities of the candidates, understand who’s backing them and what their issues are,” Venezia said.

Attendees at both forums will be able to speak with candidates and pick up yard signs and other campaign material from 6 to 7 p.m. The programs will begin at 7:15 p.m.

Parking and attendance are free at both events. For more information, visit feet2thefireforum.com.