Costa Mesa Vote May Become Test of City Policies

Voters in Costa Mesa will go to the polls Nov . 6 to choose among five candidates for two City Council seats in an election that many see as a referendum on the city’s often controversial attempts to deal with its increasingly diverse population.

The city is a microcosm of dramatic demographic changes sweeping through Orange County, and its reaction to those changes is a reflection of issues sure to be raised in other communities.

The once overwhelmingly Anglo community of about 90,000 has seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of needy residents and Latino and Asian immigrants, most congregated on the city’s west side.

The race pits incumbents Peter F. Buffa and Orville Amburgey against challengers Karen McGlinn, Jay Humphrey and Arlene Schafer.

The current council has found itself grappling with such social problems as day workers, illegal immigration, arts funding and community backlash against the needy.

Once noted for its moderation, charitable causes and support of the arts, Costa Mesa in recent years has earned a reputation as a city willing to take what some consider extreme actions. For instance:

* The council voted to make it illegal for a person to show “intent” to solicit work within 300 feet of certain intersections in the city. The provision was later overturned in the courts as unconstitutional.

* The council voted to oust one of the county’s largest charities, Share Our Selves, from its longtime home in response to community protests about its needy clients.

* The council voted to withhold grant money from any agency that supports, employs or assists illegal aliens. The council subsequently rescinded the controversial policy but in the meantime provoked the wrath of immigrants rights and charitable groups as well as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp, who issued an order against such policies nationwide.

* The council voted to require that recipients of cultural arts grants promise that money will not be used for obscene, religious or political activity. The policy prompted outrage in the arts community and the threat of a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union.

The council race sets up a classic confrontation between Amburgey and Buffa, both of whom supported the controversial actions, and McGlinn and Humphrey, who have voiced concerns that the council majority is leading the city in the wrong direction.

Schafer, a former mayor and longtime councilwoman, is seen as a likely ally of Amburgey--sponsor of many of the most controversial measures--although she maintains that she is an independent player.

Schafer and Amburgey have outpaced their opponents in campaign contributions by far, with Amburgey raising nearly $29,000 and Schafer nearly $18,000, according to campaign finance statements released last week.

Both have received money from local developers. Schafer has received $1,000 from Costa Mesa-based Arnel Development Co. and $1,000 from Torrance-based Transpacific Development Co. Amburgey is backed by C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, South Coast Plaza, Long Beach-based Champion Development Co., Newport Beach-based J. M. Peters Co. and Beverly Hills-based Pacific Development Partners, among others.

In addition, Schafer received a personal contribution of $500 from the councilman’s son, Ron Amburgey, whose construction company contributed $1,000 to his father.

Humphrey, who ran unsuccessfully for a council seat in 1988, has raised only $3,500, while Buffa, the city’s current mayor, has raised $17,000, according to campaign finance statements.

So far, the campaign has maintained a polite tone with the candidates vowing not to make the council’s recent notoriety a major issue. However, some heat has been generated by Amburgey’s refusal to abstain from voting on projects brought before the council by campaign contributors and his son.

The actions prompted the council to place on the ballot Measure V, which, if passed, would prohibit a council member from voting on a project brought by a developer who contributes more than $500 to his or her campaign.

Humphrey asserts that Amburgey “has spurred” the issue of conflict of interest. “There has been some voting that has been at best ill-advised in the conflict-of-interest area,” he said.

Amburgey has denied any impropriety, saying that Humphrey’s “ethical standards are his own problem.”

The city attorney has determined that Amburgey did not violate state conflict-of-interest laws.

Nevertheless, Amburgey--the target of much criticism for his initiatives and his ongoing dispute with HUD Secretary Kemp over immigration policy--has hired a high-profile political consultant to steer his campaign.

While Amburgey’s positions have been clear and consistent, Buffa’s actions are thought by many political observers to be more vulnerable, in part because he provided the swing vote in adopting and rescinding the city’s controversial anti-alien funding policy.

Amburgey has charged Buffa with “waffling.” Buffa maintains that his votes will not be an issue in the race.

McGlinn, meanwhile, a board member of Share Our Selves, said she is not running as the “SOS candidate.” However, she said, her association with the charity will be an advantage in the campaign. She has raised $1,300.

Times correspondent Mary Anne Perez contributed to this story.

COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL

These are the candidates running for two seats on the Costa Mesa City Council in the Nov. 6 election.

Orville Amburgey

Age: 56

Occupation: Incumbent; businessman

Background: City Council member since 1986; former police officer and communications director for Costa Mesa Police Department.

Issues: Believes the city should discourage illegal aliens from settling in the city by withholding federal money from social service agencies but giving these agencies city money so the council has control over who is served; opposes efforts to keep council members from voting on issues or projects involving people who have donated more than $500 to a campaign; supports an unlimited council tenure.

Peter F. Buffa

Age: 41

Occupation: Incumbent; current mayor; independent television producer

Background: City Council member since 1986; founder, Transportation Alternatives for Southern California; director, San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency.

Issues: Believes the biggest issue facing the city and the county is transportation; supports the five-city monorail project and the “super-speed” train; supports careful development of the city’s remaining undeveloped land; supports the city’s policy of budgeting for a 25% cash reserve and keeping the high percentage of parkland.

Jay Humphrey

Age: 43

Occupation: Area sales marketing manager

Background: Clinic liaison; district and product manager for DuPont for 17 years.

Issues: Wants the city to approve its General Plan to slow down the development of high-intensity residential buildings, thereby reducing traffic; supports a more restrictive conflict-of-interest policy that would keep city officials from voting on measures affecting people who have contributed $500 or more to their campaigns.

Karen L. McGlinn

Age: 48

Occupation: Businesswoman and community volunteer

Background: A 20-year board member of the charity Share Our Selves; former member of the city’s committee on parks and parkways.

Issues: Wants a City Council that works together to solve the city’s problems; believes the city needs to resolve attitudes regarding cultural differences, encouraging residents and business owners to see different people as a benefit that will improve the quality of life; supports adopting a policy of reasonable and responsible growth and reducing traffic.

Arlene C. Schafer

Age: 52

Occupation: Businesswoman

Background:Chairwoman of the city’s Redevelopment Advisory Committee; former planning commissioner; former mayor; former redevelopment agency chairwoman.

Issues: Believes in the need for understanding among cultures; supports incentives to keep businesses in the city; believes traffic and transportation problems can be resolved by identifying peak congestion areas and encouraging businesses to stagger employees’ hours; believes in establishing a good-neighbor policy with other cities and setting specific priorities each year.