Costa Mesa Leaves It To Bever

The Costa Mesa City Council elected Mayor Pro Tem Eric Bever Mayor with a 4-0 vote Wednesday evening, Councilwoman Katrina Foley was absent.  Bever, a close political ally of his predecessor Allan Mansoor, is sure to continue with the immigrant bashing policies Mansoor championed.  Bever is part of a 3 member majority, along with Mansoor and Councilwoman Wendy Leece, that has chosen to use immigrant bashing and fear mongering as their main tool in setting policy for the city.

Councilwoman Linda Dixon wanted the vote postponed because of the absence of Councilwoman Foley but was not successful.  “I feel that it’s important that all members of the council are here to vote on matters as important as this one,” said Dixon.  Dixon and Foley are usually on the losing end of the 3-2 votes in Costa Mesa.

While the election of Mayor was unanimous, the Mayor Pro Tem position was not so clear cut.  Dixon nominated Foley for the position citing Mansoor’s desire to allow others to have a shot at leadership positions.  But clearly that was just political speak by Mansoor as he was elected to the position with a vote of 3-1, Dixon the lone no vote.

Many political observers believe that this was simply political maneuvering by Mansoor and Bever in an effort to keep a grip on power with their 3-2 majority.  Bever faces re-election in November and if he loses that could likely shift the balance of power away from the immigrant bashing forces of Mansoor and company.  The Mansoor cabal believes that Bever stands a better chance at re-election with the title of “Mayor” before his name on the ballot.

At the end of the day nothing has changed in Costa Mesa except for the swapping of chairs.  The only way we will see lasting change in Costa Mesa is if we see Mansoor and company run out of town.  Bever is the first one that needs to go and lets hope that happens this November, Mayor or not.