NEWPORT BEACH : 3 Council Members Sworn Into Office

The City Council’s newest member, Janice A. Debay, and the two incumbents who won reelection, John C. Cox Jr., and Jean H. Watt, were sworn into office Monday.

During ceremonies at City Hall, Councilman Clarence J. Turner was unanimously voted in as the new mayor and Watt was named mayor pro tem.

Former Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer, who did not seek reelection, was bade farewell. She did what she set out to do, she said, and is satisfied.

“I’m sad to give up my seat on the City Council, but I accomplished what urged me to run,” she said.

Plummer was instrumental in getting the “lion’s share” of the city’s capital improvement funds to go toward West Newport during her 12 years on the council. She also was the one who pushed her council colleagues into voting for a skateboard ban on the boardwalk, a task that culminated recently after months of studies she had initiated.

“I’m certainly not leaving,” Plummer said. “I’ll be around to make sure that you’re paying attention.”

In his inaugural speech, Turner warned about tough times ahead as the council seeks to resolve the past year’s budget problems, lawsuits, labor relation problems and the controversy in the Police Department.

Turner said that already the general fund faces a shortfall of more than $5 million because of declining revenues.

“Obviously, something must be done to plan for this shortfall, and, in my opinion, we cannot start sooner than now to make those plans,” he said.

On the brighter side, Turner said: “Our city is blessed with an outstanding citizenry. . . . I want you to know that we will fall short unless we receive your support. . . . That support is there. All we need to do is ask for it, and that is what I am doing.”