Cowan

It's strange how the most vocal of our critics seem to hide in the shadows. Usually, it's an anonymous voice on the other end of the phone, criticizing us for reporting on a touchy subject, for putting things into perspective or the worst of all sins, because we forgot the crossword puzzle or the bridge column. Anonymous and, dare I say, cowardly calls. It happened again last week to our Costa Mesa City Hall reporter Lolita Harper. In a front-page Reporter's Notebook column, Harper shared her observations of how at least two women on the Costa Mesa council seem to be the main targets of council critics these days.

Lolita Harper City leaders Monday warned of a looming political battle over plans for a regional transportation line, saying partnering cities most likely would not support spending $1 million to study an option to underground the track through Costa Mesa, an idea that council members predict would be most favorable. The campaign for a Centerline light rail system may require a hard-line stance from city leaders to ensure the city's best interest, Councilwoman Libby Cowan said while updating her council colleagues on the project's progress during a City Council study session on Monday.

Lolita Harper COSTA MESA -- After nine years of service to the city on both the Planning Commission and the City Council, Linda Dixon has reached the pinnacle of success in local politics. Councilwoman Linda Dixon was unanimously voted by her council colleagues to succeed Libby Cowan as the next mayor of Costa Mesa. "A Polish girl from Chicago the mayor of Costa Mesa," Dixon said incredulously. The new mayor said she had a positive outlook for the future and thanked her friends and family for all their support.

Lolita Harper COSTA MESA -- Mayor Libby Cowan denied Monday that a city committee was created to negotiate a controversial development agreement between the city and C.J. Segerstrom & Sons for the Home Ranch project, in potential violation of the state's open meeting law. During the public comments portion of Monday's council meeting, resident David Martinez questioned council members about meetings held by ...

Deirdre Newman Two community organizations have joined forces to focus attention on providing more affordable housing and eliminating substandard apartment conditions. St. Joachim Catholic Church and the Orange County Congregation Community Organizations started working together in September. One of the main priorities is to create standards that landlords would have to adhere to when renting out their apartments. There is a need to hold landlords more accountable to ensure a higher quality of life for apartment tenants, said Alma Marquez, senior organizer with the county group.

Which city? Which constituency? Which world? You be the judge. Which city does Libby Cowan work for? Is it Costa Mesa, which she's sworn to serve and protect -- or Irvine where she obtains her salary? Clearly Libby Cowan's loyalty is not for Costa Mesa, the city she was elected to serve and protect. It's Irvine -- judging from her recent public outburst calling the ballot-box and lawsuit process stupid for trying to protect Costa Mesa from a clear and present danger.

Daily Pilot Editor Tony Dodero's June 3 column, "Anonymous critics are just plain cowardly," made some good points, but one of his comments needs further clarification. He referred to an anonymous caller who was very critical of Costa Mesa Councilwoman Libby Cowan's lack of support for an El Toro airport. Dodero then put forth the argument, "The Newport Beach City Council has realized the same thing as Cowan in regards to the county El Toro fight and has declined to take part in any more pro-El Toro airport litigation or funding . . . but there doesn't seem to be much criticism of them."

INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some decisions coming out of this week's meeting of the Costa Mesa City Council. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF SUBDIVISION AND PARCEL MAPS The council approved an ordinance that requires developers proposing to subdivide land via a recorded parcel map to make full improvements within the public right-of-way. This includes the street, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway approaches where none exist next to the land at issue.

Newport Beach officials told some Santa Ana Heights residents to hold their horses Thursday, after mistakenly sending out notices indicating that they might need a permit to house equine friends on their property. About 300 residents who received the notices this week can disregard them, city spokeswoman Tara Finnigan wrote in an email. She added that the notices were the result of a slip-up - the city wasn't trying to make hay of anyone's animals. "We made a mistake," she wrote.

Deirdre Newman Monday was an emotional night in the packed council chambers as departing City Council members bade farewell and their replacements thanked those who helped get them to the highest echelon of city government. Former Mayor Linda Dixon and Planning Commissioners Katrina Foley and Eric Bever ascended to the dais to replace Libby Cowan, Chris Steel and Mike Scheafer. Bever clinched the third seat last week, beating out fourth-place finisher and fellow Planning Commissioner Bruce Garlich by 44 votes.