NEWPORT BEACH : Changing of Council Guard Goes Smoothly

The changing of the City Hall guard in Newport Beach this week featured graceful exits by some longtime council members and no-nonsense entrances by the new blood, including incoming Mayor John W. Hedges.

Hedges won his second term on the council on a conservative, anti-regulation, anti-tax stance that sometimes put him at odds with his colleagues as the council scrambled to find money to maintain services.

The unanimous vote making Hedges mayor was the new council’s first act; its second was another unanimous vote electing Councilwoman Janice A. DeBay the mayor pro tem.

Councilman Thomas C. Edwards, who wasn’t sure until just before the ceremony whether he had won the election, held his certified results high above his head and grinned when he and new Councilwoman Norma Glover and Councilman Dennis D. O’Neil were sworn in.

Edwards won a close race against Ron Winship, who appeared to have won by 26 votes when the polls closed. Absentee and provisional ballots certified Monday turned the tide, with Edwards leading by 599 votes with 12,335 to Winship’s 11,736.

Term limits approved two years ago forced three council members out of office. Councilwoman Evelyn R. Hart retired after 16 years, the longest continuous service on the council in city history.

“What if I don’t want to go?” she joked as she gave her seat up for the new council.

Outgoing Councilman Phil Sansone received praise for his efforts to maintain the noise limits and resolve other issues surrounding John Wayne Airport.