Leece

Costa Mesa Councilwoman Wendy Leece got what she wanted Friday morning, when workers installed the “In God We Trust” slogan in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The sign’s installation was stalled two weeks in a row – once because the sign-maker drilled an extra hole into it, and another time because the letters forming the slogan weren’t up to standard. The sign is now affixed to a chamber wall right beneath the city’s seal. “We could’ve done it earlier, but we wanted to make it just right, so they went back and re-posted the lettering to ensure that it would look perfect, and now it’s perfect,” said Tom Hatch, the assistant city manager.

Costa Mesa Councilwoman Wendy Leece has announced her intention to run for reelection. Leece, who is seeking a second term, so far is unopposed in the November contest. The deadline to file paperwork is Aug. 6. A private reception was held for Leece on Wednesday at Onotria Wine Country Cuisine restaurant in Costa Mesa. About 35 supporters attended, including Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach and Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor. “This is a great city and now that my kids are grown, I’m enjoying giving backing to my city and working on projects that will make our city better,” said Leece, 61. Leece’s said her priorities are to keep Costa Mesa safe and find ways to attract more businesses.

Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece says she’ll use her new position with the League of California Cities to fight to protect businesses from environmental legislation that, in her opinion, is driving businesses out of the Golden State. Leece has been picked to serve on the Orange County division of the league’s 2010 Policy Committee on Environmental Quality. The league, which is made up of various committees comprised of city officials from across the state, discusses policies and issues facing California.

I always ask candidates what made them decide to throw their hat in the ring. Nine times out of 10 they tell me so many people are urging them to run they can't ignore the pleas. How many is "many"? No one's ever given me a number, though I've been told it's not the quantity of the people, but how politically connected the folks are who are egging them on to do this. Now I get that it's flattering to hear people think you can make a difference, but I'm amazed at how many candidates actually believe all the smoke being blown up their you-know-whats and don't have a clear understanding of the reality of the situation.

Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Wendy Leece withdrew her request Tuesday for the council to reexamine the city's agreement with the developer of Banning Ranch. She said Newport Banning Ranch LLC, or NBR, asked her to do so until it could review the agreement, which the council approved and modified last month. The $4.4-million agreement would pay for street improvements the city needs to handle the proposed residential and commercial development's predicted traffic influx. Located adjacent to Costa Mesa in Newport Beach, the development still requires California Coastal Commission approval.

Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Wendy Leece confirmed Saturday that she is weighing a run for Congress. Leece, a Republican, is exploring a race for the 48th Congressional District seat held by longtime U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa). Leece pulled in-lieu papers with the Orange County Registrar of Voters on Thursday - a preliminary step that doesn't include an official candidate's statement or paying any filing fees. She said she is now gathering voter signatures and acknowledged that if she doesn't gather enough support, she will stop the effort.

Costa Mesa took a step toward possibly displaying the motto “In God We Trust” in the city’s Council Chambers Tuesday night. Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece brought the issue to her council colleagues at a study session, asking them to consider inscribing the phrase in the chambers and characterizing the motto as a secular show of unity, rather than an endorsement of religion. “The intent is to encourage patriotism. It’s not religious; it’s a completely secular purpose,” Leece said.

Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Wendy Leece has requested another hearing of her city's $4.4-million agreement with the developer of Banning Ranch to help pay for street improvements. Newport Banning Ranch LLC, or NBR — which hopes to build more than 1,300 homes, a hotel and commercial businesses on old fields in a 400-acre section of West Newport that borders Westside Costa Mesa — made the agreement with Costa Mesa if that city agreed not to file a legal challenge against the project or oppose permit requests.

Deirdre Newman "Who is that stranger striding in from the Westside of the district? Can we trust him with our precious children?" Tom Egan's opening lines from candidate forums were receiving a narrow, though still stunning "yes" Tuesday night as he led incumbent Wendy Leece 52% to 48% with 92 of 178 precincts reporting. Egan's slight lead, which he maintained from early in the night, was all the more significant given he was the only school board challenger poised to beat an incumbent.

The Costa Mesa City Council weighed in on a proposed charter Tuesday night, giving city attorneys direction on when to schedule the first of two public hearings. The first hearing is April 22 - a change from the originally proposed date, April 15, to avoid conflicting with the second night of Passover. Throughout the year, council members will have a chance to amend the five-page document before voting whether to place it on the November general election ballot. A majority of the 13-member Charter Committee, after 10 months of work and debate, approved the draft document last week.

I always ask candidates what made them decide to throw their hat in the ring. Nine times out of 10 they tell me so many people are urging them to run they can't ignore the pleas. How many is "many"? No one's ever given me a number, though I've been told it's not the quantity of the people, but how politically connected the folks are who are egging them on to do this. Now I get that it's flattering to hear people think you can make a difference, but I'm amazed at how many candidates actually believe all the smoke being blown up their you-know-whats and don't have a clear understanding of the reality of the situation.

Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer on Tuesday called for converting the Neighborhood Community Center into a large central library. If accomplished, the 24,000-square-foot downtown facility in Lions Park would be considerably larger than the other three library facilities in the city combined. The other branches - Donald Dungan, Mesa Verde and Technology Branch - total about 16,000 square feet. They are run by the county, with help from the Costa Mesa Library Foundation and Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries.

For the city of Costa Mesa's part, the investigation into what went wrong during its 60th anniversary celebration last summer seems to be over, but for others, it's gaining new momentum and renewed interest. Citing the matter as an ongoing and confidential investigation, for months City Hall denied requests to release nearly all documents related to the three-day "60 & Fabulous" party aimed at celebrating Costa Mesa's community spirit, history and heritage. On Thursday, those requests were granted, albeit late, with the release of more than 1,000 pages of contracts, invoices and other matters concerning the celebration.

Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Wendy Leece confirmed Saturday that she is weighing a run for Congress. Leece, a Republican, is exploring a race for the 48th Congressional District seat held by longtime U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa). Leece pulled in-lieu papers with the Orange County Registrar of Voters on Thursday - a preliminary step that doesn't include an official candidate's statement or paying any filing fees. She said she is now gathering voter signatures and acknowledged that if she doesn't gather enough support, she will stop the effort.

A longtime Southern California businesswoman is weighing a run for a Newport Beach City Council seat, according to a document filed with the city Thursday. Diane Dixon, who recently moved to Newport Beach from Pasadena, said earlier this week that she was mulling a run for the District 1 council seat, which will be vacated by Mike Henn when he is termed out next year. She had said she planned to make a decision before the holiday season. A city website showed that her statement of intent to run was filed Thursday morning.

Costa Mesa's business license tax seems poised again for City Council discussion. Following Councilwoman Wendy Leece's request Tuesday afternoon for the Finance Advisory Committee to examine the annual tax, its members decided to wait for council direction. The scope of the newly renamed committee - it was previously the Investment Oversight Committee - requires such direction, they contended. "This is a big issue when you start talking about tax increases," said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger, who serves on the committee as the mayor's designee.

It would take new sales or parcel taxes for the city of Costa Mesa to meet its long-term pension obligations, a Stanford University professor told the City Council on Tuesday night. Joe Nation said the scenario surrounding the difference between the amounts promised to retirees versus projected available funding to meet those commitments to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is "stark. " Nation, a Democrat speaking before four of the five Republicans on the council, said his bleak assessment was about math and numbers, not "beating up anybody.

About 50 residents filled Harbor Christian Fellowship church Monday night to share their concerns about speeding traffic, rehabilitation homes, gang and drug activity, and other Westside issues during a town hall meeting sponsored by Councilwoman Wendy Leece. "Our City Council wants to work with the residents and the Police Department and know your concerns," said Leece, her words translated from English to Spanish by Pastor Christian Parra. Officer Julian Trevino said the area near the church — the Police Department's 10th district — saw 382 calls for service in January that ran the gamut from traffic tickets and patrol checks to fires and assaults.

A town-hall meeting Monday will discuss crime prevention in Costa Mesa's Westside. The 6:30 p.m. meeting at Harbor Christian Fellowship, 740 W. Wilson St., is one of several throughout the city Councilwoman Wendy Leece is organizing. Representatives from the police department, Community Emergency Response Team and Costa Mesa Prepared will give presentations. Neighborhood watch, teen academy and citizens academy information will also be available. Child care, light refreshments and a raffle will also be offered.