Column: 2018 promises to be another interesting political year in Newport and Costa Mesa

Looking back at 2017, political tides drastically shifted in both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

There certainly were heroes and zeros in these scenarios, depending on where you stood on the issues.

As the 2018 election season unfolds, these stories will continue, impacting the local political landscape.

In Costa Mesa, I feel two important issues will find their level this coming year, impacting council elections.

Animals will play a starring role in one of them. With a sizable population of animal lovers in this city, what council members do with the contract for the Orange County Humane Society’s Huntington Beach animal shelter — continue with it or create their own — will be important.

As will what happens next for Councilwoman Katrina Foley, who was unceremoniously removed as mayor by a majority of her fellow council members without explanation.

Unless damning evidence as to why she was removed is revealed publicly, and soon, I predict she’ll emerge as a formidable political force and win her role back in 2018 as this city faces its first direct mayoral elections.

Councilman John Stephens is a rising star to watch in 2018 as the most vocal council member advocating for the city’s animals.

Digging deep into the controversy of the Orange County Humane Society Shelter, he’s determined to find a better solution for strays come 2018. His efforts here could be what brings this fractured council together again as it explores options. Costa Mesa voters certainly will be paying attention as to who supports the best option and who doesn’t.

Turning to Newport, 2017 saw a rather different political muscle flexing — that of dissatisfied residents. They banded together to fight high-density development and to try to recall a councilman for the first time in city history.

The political action committee Line in the Sand successfully gathered enough signatures to bring the high-density Museum House project to a referendum vote, proving it was a force to be reckoned with. It prevailed with an impressive grassroots ground game, and in the end, the council fizzled, reversing approval of the project.

But Line in the Sand didn’t get involved with the committee to recall Councilman Scott Peotter, though some members overlapped.

Line in the Sand waited in the wings to endorse a candidate if a recall election came to fruition.

I felt that without that signature-gathering support, the recall committee would have a tough go of it, since it didn’t have the same tight grassroots organization as Line in the Sand does.

The recall fell short by about 1% after signatures were validated.

We’ll have to wait for a recount to see if the recall supporters can find the 106 signatures to move the needle.

Regardless, Peotter needed a big win to regain voter confidence and be reelectable in 2018.

The stink of the recall effort will follow him through the 2018 campaign, where he’ll likely face opposition.

There’s also another thing to consider as we look to Newport’s elections.

Successful or not, the blowback of this recall effort will also impact the reelection campaigns of Peotter’s council member supporters: Diane Dixon, Kevin Muldoon and new Mayor Marshall “Duffy” Duffield.

None stuck out their neck for Peotter as far as Duffield did with robo calls, editorials and such.

Two statewide issues will be interesting to follow in 2018 as well.

1. Carl DeMaio’s efforts to repeal the increase in the state’s gas and car licensing taxes.

Will we see this on the 2018 ballot, giving voters a say regarding these increases and changes in the manner the state can levy future taxes?

2. And what will be the repurposing solution for Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa after the state closes it?

State Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) tells me his committee of local and state leaders will continue efforts in 2018 to come up with a plan that best serves the community.

Will the state buy into it?

Questions remain about the $2 million the state proposes spending here as it sunsets this facility.

Lastly, this year we said goodbye to some beloved local heroes who passed away and will be missed.

These were the hardest columns for me to write as I personally knew Denny O’Neil, Ralph Rodheim, Charlotte Dale and Brad Long.

Heroes certainly outweighed zeros this year, and to revisit 2017 columns about these issues and more, visit bvontv.com.

As I close my first decade of reporting, I look forward to bringing forward more thought-provoking columns in the new year, starting Jan. 5.

Get ready for a wild political ride in 2018.

BARBARA VENEZIA lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com.