S.J. Cahn, June Casagrande and Lolita Harper
The latest financial numbers for Newport-Mesa's two Congressional
races shows that money is still a great indicator of who's going to
win.
In the new 48th Congressional District, Rep. Chris Cox once again
soundly defeated UCI Graduate School of Management professor John
Graham -- financially and in the voting booth.
Heading into the Nov. 5 election, Cox had raised $672,000, spent
$642,000 (much in the form of donations to other campaigns) and,
interestingly enough, had $520,000 available, according to the
nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Graham, meanwhile, had brought in $8,000, spent $7,000 and was
left with about $1,800 on hand.
Cox eventually pulled in 68% of the vote.
The 46th Congressional District was a little more competitive,
financially and at the ballot box, but Rep. Dana Rohrabacher still
ran away in both categories.
The Congressman had raised $312,000, had spent $281,00 and still
had $98,000 if he needed it. His opponent, Gerrie Schipske, had
raised $166,000, had spent $159,000 and had just less than $7,500
heading into the final days of the election.
Rohrabacher won with 61% of the vote.
SOME THINGS ARE BETTER KEPT PRIVATE
In his first few hours on the Costa Mesa City Council dais Monday
evening, Councilman Allan Mansoor wasted no time pointing out that
the contentious Huscroft House project illustrated his belief that
some things are best left to the private sector.
Mansoor, who knocked off incumbent Mayor Linda Dixon in November's
election, said the botched attempt to restore the house was an
example of projects the city should not be taking on with taxpayer
money.
Council members again delayed any decision of the 1915
Craftsman-style home to allow the city longer negotiation time with a
private property owner.
The house has been a hot topic for nearly two years now, since the
city accepted the arguably historic house from the Huscroft family.
For months, city leaders argued whether to restore it with public
funds, move it to Fairview Park, turn it into a cultural center, sell
it or demolish it.
Council action on the house remains stalled as the house falls
further into a state of disrepair. While Mansoor was not a part of
previous council decisions on the house, he spoke out during
discussions Monday.
The city is faced with paying about $30,000 to either destroy the
house or fund its move to a private property.
Mansoor said the Huscroft was a tragic example of a project that
