ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : There Must Be a Better Way

It’s like a routine from Abbott and Costello: Who’s on first. . . . What’s on second. Things have been going on like that in Irvine for two years now, ever since Measure D was passed.

The measure provided for direct election of a mayor, which seems simple enough. But the contingency plan established when the newly elected mayor was already on the City Council was so complicated that it resulted in lengthy and costly litigation when a council member, Larry Agran, was in fact elected mayor in 1988. Finally, last March, a Superior Court judge ruled that the third biggest vote-getter, Cameron Cosgrove, had been legally seated. That was because a successful petition drive calling for a special election--as provided in Measure D--wasn’t in effect when the election took place.

Change scene: Now it is June, 1990. A similar situation: A member of the City Council--in this case, Sally Sheridan--is elected mayor and two others are elected to fill other seats. Sheridan’s seat is thus vacant. The third biggest vote-getter is Mary Ann Gaido, who would fill Sheridan’s seat--unless there is a successful petition drive by July 15. The petition requirement apparently has been met, but still unresolved is who would fill the seat until a special election in November.

There’s also thorough confusion over council members’ terms. This is because of the difference between the time when Irvine election results are certified, thus ending the previous terms, and when new terms begin. Some believe the five-member council is left with only one official member until July 20, but nobody knows for sure.

If the situation seems confusing, take heart. No one in Irvine seems to be able to figure it out either, including three lawyers. Sheridan correctly calls it “a giant mess.”

Irvine must come up with an election code that provides for an orderly succession and full representation on the City Council. Unlike Abbott and Costello, this election routine isn’t funny.