Letters From The Editor: Who should be on the DP 103?

Newsmakers come and go, but one tradition endures: the DP 103.

I’ve already fielded calls and emails about when it will publish and who will be on the annual list of people who made headlines in 2011.

I can answer the second question: Dec. 31.

I like the idea of closing out the year with one of our best-read features, plus it allows us go right up until the last day of December to recognize who made news in 2011.

The names and rankings will remain (mostly) secret until publication. You can certainly guess that city council and school board members from both cities will be on the list, as will coaches, performers, athletes and a decent number of criminal defendants — and the occasional animal.

Anyone who made headlines, good or bad, is a candidate.

But the list is a work in progress, and I’ve again decided to ask our readers to contribute ideas for the DP 103 by posting the names and arguments for why a newsmaker should make the list on this column online or by sending an email to dailypilot@latimes.com.

It’s easy to overlook good choices, and our readers can certainly help us avoid omissions.

Our staff will comb through the suggestions and try to pick those who make sense. Last year, we chose several from the reader submissions.

In 2010, then-Planning Commissioner Jim Righeimer, now a councilman, topped the DP 103. The year before that, Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff, who has since made more gradual reforms, topped the DP 103.

Expect both men to rank highly again this year.

Tradition matters. So we will continue the practice of placing a power broker in the No. 1 slot and a silly choice at No. 103.

Don’t expect many institutions, or bodies made up of numerous people, as this is list about individuals.

Another thing to remember: This is all in good fun, sometimes at the expense of the newsmakers, and the remarks we make are generally tongue-in-cheek.

So give us your suggestions.

As I wrote last year, we’ll take your advice, or we won’t, but either way we want to know who you think made the news.

JOHN CANALIS is the editor for the Daily Pilot, Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot and Huntington Beach Independent. He can be reached at (714) 966-4607 and john.canalis@latimes.com.