Costa Mesa Mayor Leaving Office to Run Her Preschool

Costa Mesa Mayor Norma Hertzog said Saturday that, having accomplished her goals, she has decided to return to running her preschool rather than run for a fourth term on the City Council.

As of Friday, eight candidates had filed to run for the council seats being vacated by Hertzog and Arlene Schaefer. Earlier this year, Schaefer had said she would step down after council elections in November.

Hertzog, 57, may have faced a tough challenge in November, spearheaded by a vocal group of homeowners who have criticized her as too pro-development.

“I really look at each project individually,” Hertzog said Saturday of her votes on the council. “I don’t think I can be categorized as pro-development. There has to be balance.”

Hertzog became the first woman elected to the City Council in 1974. Her colleagues twice elected her to serve as mayor.

Hertzog said that during her three terms, the city has made strides in developing cultural programs and supporting social services, while balancing the city’s development.

“Probably the highlight was meeting all the goals I had when going into office,” Hertzog said.

After her election to the City Council, Hertzog set out “to do something about the lack of culture within the community.”

“We are now known as the city of the arts,” she said. The council also is “much more supportive” of the 24 social service agencies serving Costa Mesa, she said.

These accomplishments, she said, have helped “change the image the city had of itself. People used to say they lived north of Newport Beach. People (now) are proud to say they live in Costa Mesa.”

The mayor plans to announce her decision not to seek reelection Wednesday at City Hall.

“Supporters wanted me to run; I had a lot of pressure to run,” she said. “But I think it’s time to go back in the private sector. The public sector is very wearing.”

Endorses Buffa Candidacy

Hertzog endorsed the council candidacy of Planning Commissioner Peter Buffa, whom she described as a moderate, to replace her. “He uses good judgment. I think he will judge each project on its own merit.”

Hertzog listed among the highlights of her tenure the development of the Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theatre and Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, as well as downtown redevelopment.

She said the increasing demands of public life forced her to hire someone two years ago to manage a preschool that she owns and had previously managed herself.

“It does get to be too much being two places at once,” she said.

Hertzog said she hopes future councils “can maintain the balance--a balance within all areas of the community, a balance in housing, a balance in the social culture, a balance in commercial development.”