Meet the council applicants

Tonight the Newport Beach City Council will appoint a replacement for former Mayor John Heffernan, who resigned his seat last month. This will be the fourth time the council has appointed a member to its ranks since October 2003, when Councilman Steve Rosansky joined the council. Since then, Councilwoman Leslie Daigle and Councilman Ed Selich have earned appointments.

Last week, the Daily Pilot contacted the five applicants and asked them three questions:

1. Why should the City Council choose you to fill the empty council seat?

2. What single issue or topic do you most want to tackle if you are appointed?

3. Do you support the controlled-growth agenda of the city's Greenlight activist group?

Their answers follow.

We encourage readers to read the responses carefully. If one applicant stands out, contact your member of the council and show your support. The council members can be reached by calling City Hall at (949) 644-3309 or via e-mail at these addresses: Mayor Don Webb, don2webb@earthlink.net; Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, lesliejdaigle@aol.com; Councilman Dick Nichols, nbcouncil@ranichols.info; Councilman Tod Ridgeway, tridgeway@city.newport-beach.ca.us; Councilman Steve Rosansky, parahdigm@aol.com; and Councilman Ed Selich, edselich@adelphia.net..

DANIEL WAMPOLE

AGE: 57

FAMILY: Married, Carole; son Spencer

EDUCATION: High school; a "self-made man"

JOB: Owns an employment agency, Legal Network, and a bowling alley in Yorba Linda; also does real-estate investing

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Largest collector of Toys for Tots in Orange County for 16 years; Newport Beach Communications Committee; Newport Coast Advisory committee; president, Newport Ridge Homeowners Assn.; vice president, The Point at Newport Ridge Homeowners Assn.; Newport Coast Committee of 2000, which oversaw the annexation of Newport Coast into Newport Beach

1. The seventh district is largely composed of Newport Coast, and there never has been a resident of Newport Coast on the council. I have extensive working knowledge of most of the issues in Newport Coast and many of the issues in Newport Beach, including extensive knowledge of the issues in our harbor, and I am an avid boater. I'm looking to serve the people for many years to come.

2. The new city hall. No. 2 would be the Newport Coast community center.

3. I support sensible growth in Newport Beach.

DOLORES OTTING

AGE: 53

FAMILY: Husband, Tony

EDUCATION: Bachelor of science, Salem State College

JOB: Real estate