Phil Sansone had been traveling around for a while before he finally
settled in Newport Beach in 1966. Sansone put down roots in the area,
became president and director of the Corona del Mar Civic Assn., was
elected to the City Council, and eventually served as mayor.
Sansone is known for his somewhat gruff, no-nonsense approach to
politics. In office, he fought for slow-growth policies and refused to
adhere too closely to any single party line. He also argued that the
