HUNTINGTON BEACH : New Councilman Cites Challenges Facing City

As the newest member of the City Council, Tom Harman says he comes on board with “an open mind.”

“I have no baggage I’m bringing,” said Harman, selected last week by the City Council to fill a vacant seat on the seven-member panel. “I’m not backed by a special interest group and I hope to bring new thoughts to the council.”

Harman will fill the two-year vacancy created by Jim Silva, who was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Harman, 53, will be sworn into office Monday.

Harman said one challenge facing the council next year includes dealing with a $922,000 general-fund deficit.

“Nobody wants to raise taxes, including myself,” said Harman, an attorney who has had a practice in the city for 20 years. “But where is the money going to come from? It’s a difficult decision.”

Calling himself environmentally sensitive and a moderate, Harman said he believes that there has to be a balance between the environment and the business section of the community.

Harman has been involved in numerous civic and charitable causes. He is also the co-founder and first president of Huntington Beach Tomorrow, a citizens’ activist group. However, Harman said he is not an active member.

His community involvement and legal expertise are among reasons Harman believes he was selected.

“There’s a feeling on the council that someone with my background would be beneficial,” he said. “But the key that I’d like to pass on is that I’m interested in giving balance to the council and helping to resolve our problems as best we can.”