While the mayor position holds no special privileges or powers, the mayor can work to set goals and a general tone for the council.
The mayor also is a figurehead of sorts for the city.
Newport’s last female mayor, Jan Debay, who was appointed in December 1996, said she doesn’t think the so-called glass ceiling is holding Daigle back. Debay also has been an advisor to Selich.
“If Leslie has done a good job, I think [the City Council] will look at her as a good mayor,” Debay said.
Selich has enjoyed popularity during his yearlong stint as mayor. He ran unopposed earlier this month to retain his District 5 council seat, and says he wouldn’t mind having a second go as mayor.
“If my colleagues decide to choose me as mayor, I’d be proud to serve another term,” Selich said.
Former Newport Beach Mayor Evelyn Hart, who served two terms as mayor and four terms as mayor pro-tem, said sometimes a mayor needs more than one year to get things done.
“I think that Leslie Daigle would make a fine mayor; however, I do see some real advantages of having a mayor for two years,” Hart said. “If a mayor wants to try to really accomplish something, there’s no way they would be able to do something in one year’s time, so I think I see more of an advantage of having a two-year mayor.”
Selich has gained a reputation as a consensus builder on the council, working to reconcile the body’s earlier split vote on building a new city hall in Newport Center.
“I know that Ed has done a great job pulling the council together. He’s really shown a significant amount of leadership,” Councilman Don Webb said.
“Leslie has worked really hard, too, and has shown leadership in the community. I can’t say she’s done anything but work really hard for the city.”
