Political Landscape: O.C. Bar rates judicial candidates
Though the Newport Beach-based Orange County Bar Assn. does not formally endorse judicial candidates, it does evaluate them and issue ratings voters can use as a guide in making their choices.
The four ratings reflect whether the bar finds a candidate exceptionally well qualified, well qualified, qualified or not qualified.
The association just released its ratings of Orange County Superior Court judicial candidates running in the June 3 election.
Reviews were handled by an association committee made up of 34 attorneys, each of whom has a minimum of 10 years in practice. Candidates filled out questionnaires and were interviewed by committee members.
“The committee considers the character, temperament, professional aptitude and experience of the candidates, without regard to political considerations,” a news release explained. “The OCBA does not endorse any candidate for election and provides this information as a public service.”
The ratings are as follows:
Superior Court Office No. 14
• Kevin Haskins: Well Qualified
• Kenneth C. “KC” Jones: Well Qualified
• Thomas E. Martin: Qualified
• Fred Fascenelli: Not Qualified
*
Superior Court Office No. 20
• The Hon. Derek G. Johnson: Well Qualified
• Helen Hayden: Qualified
*
Superior Court Office No. 37
• The Hon. Joanne Motoike: Exceptionally Well Qualified
• Wayne Philips: Qualified
*
Superior Court Office No. 35
• Jeff Ferguson: Qualified
• Commissioner Carmen Luege: Qualified
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Weitzberg endorsements
Costa Mesa City Council candidate Harold Weitzberg has announced endorsements from Mike Scheafer and Arthur Perry, both elected board members of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District. Scheafer is a former councilman and Perry a former athletic director at Estancia High School.
In addition, one of Weitzberg’s colleagues on the Charter Committee, Mary Ann O’Connell, gave her endorsement.
Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee Chairman Richard Mehren and Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition member Kathy Esfahani have also endorsed Weitzberg.
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Humphrey endorsements
Costa Mesa’s first councilwoman, Norma Hertzog, has endorsed Jay Humphrey for Costa Mesa City Council. Hertzog was first elected in 1974 and was awarded the Mayor’s Award earlier this month for her contributions to the city.
Councilwomen Wendy Leece and Sandy Genis have also endorsed Humphrey, as have former Mayor Mary Hornbuckle, former Police Chief Dave Snowden, Pension Oversight Committee member John Stephens, Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee Chairman Richard Mehren and Banning Ranch Conservancy President Terry Welsh.
Humphrey last served on the council from 1990 to 1994.
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Curry calls for O.C. Fairgrounds protection
Keith Curry, a 74th Assembly District candidate, has called for a repeal of state legislation that permitted the sale or long-term lease of the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Curry, a Newport Beach councilman, said the 150-acre state-owned property in Costa Mesa belongs “to the people.” He called the fairgrounds sale effort, which began in 2009 under then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of that administration’s “misguided and ineffectual ideas.”
After legal challenges and public outcry, the effort was halted under Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011.
The Orange County district attorney’s office is reexamining the fairgrounds sale issue for possible improprieties. A prior D.A. investigation in 2010 found no conflicts of interest or violation of open-meeting laws.
Curry noted that the law, Assembly Bill X4 22, is still on the books, and said if he is elected, “My first bill will be to repeal this authorization. Any future consideration of selling the fairgrounds should first have to proceed through full legislative review and authorization before being pursued.”
In a prepared statement provided by Curry’s campaign, Fair Board Chairman Stan Tkaczyk said he approves Curry’s effort.
“Selling the fairgrounds was a bad idea and we need to remove this poorly thought-out authorization from the books,” Tkaczyk said. “We welcome Councilman Curry’s support in this effort.”
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Harper endorsements
Matthew Harper, a candidate for the 74th Assembly District, has been endorsed by the 74th’s outgoing assemblyman, Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa).
Mansoor, a former Costa Mesa mayor, is now running for the Orange County Board of Supervisors after serving two terms in Sacramento.
Harper, mayor of Huntington Beach, also said 73rd District Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point), Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer and Irvine Mayor Steven Choi have endorsed him.
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