Newport Businessman Named to Fair Board

Gov. Pete Wilson has appointed a businessman from Newport Beach to a four-year term on the Orange County Fair Board of Directors, disappointing some who had urged a representative from Costa Mesa.

Jeffrey Stern, 55, of Newport Beach won the post. He is president of Superior Electrical Advertising Inc. and replaces Marian LaFollette, who left in May due to increasing job responsibilities in Northern California.

Last year, a group of residents called on Wilson to appoint at least one Costa Mesa resident to the nine-member board.

The last time a Costa Mesa resident served was from 1977 to 1980.

“It’s not that I have anything against people who are appointed,” said former City Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis, a candidate for the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

“It would just be nice if they had someone who knew what it was like living with that thing day in and day out,” she said.

The governor’s office said one vacancy remains on the nine-member board and Costa Mesa residents can apply. “Our primary concern is appointing a member that is best for the community,” said Matt Taggart, a Wilson spokesman in Sacramento.

Reappointments were given to Randall G. Smith, 51, of Yorba Linda, who has served on the fair board since 1992, and Emily Sanford, 62, of Huntington Beach, a member since 1994.