Costa Mesa will no longer film council candidate debates

After more than a decade of watching Costa Mesa City Council candidate debates on the city’s public-access television station, the tradition will end.

The City Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday against using City Hall resources to promote or film the privately run and sponsored events. Councilwomen Sandy Genis and Katrina Foley dissented.

In effect, the forums will no longer be broadcast on CMTV, posted on the city’s website or publicized on its social media channels.

The council majority argued that using public funds toward the debates — some of which they called partisan and “an absolute farce” — isn’t appropriate. Furthermore, they added, because about eight or so groups have said they want to host debates this election, it will be problematic to pick which ones to film.

“The real question is how do you decide? How do you pick?” said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer. “I don’t think the city should be involved in it.”

The practice, Righeimer added, has historically “reeked of many problems.”

The council majority’s sentiment echoed the advice from the city’s legal counsel on election matters, which said that while it’s legal for City Hall to promote the debates, in an effort to be completely nonpartisan, they couldn’t recommend it.

Which events to film became a problem in 2014, after an Eastside neighborhood group’s debate wasn’t aired by CMTV and two other events were.

Foley, Genis and several public speakers opposed the majority’s reasoning, contending that the forums should be widely available with City Hall’s help, because without it, the footage won’t be easily accessible to those who can’t attend in person or access the material online.

Resident John Stephens, who unsuccessfully ran for council in 2012, said the tapings help lesser-known candidates get name recognition with voters.

Eliminating city broadcasting only helps incumbents, he said, adding, “I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think it’s democratic, I don’t think it’s American.”

Genis echoed Stephens’ point.

“To not tape creates an unfair advantage, a very unfair advantage,” she said.

Genis and Foley suggested CMTV continue filming and broadcasting certain events, included ones organized by established neighborhood groups, such as Mesa Verde Community Inc., and local media like the Daily Pilot.

Righeimer, Mayor Steve Mensinger and Councilman Gary Monahan rejected their proposals.

In what she called a “hypocrisy,” Foley asked to Righeimer, “If we’re not going to tape the neighborhood forums, why do we tape the City Council meetings? ... You could have the same arguments that we don’t need to tape these meetings because people can come to the meeting. What are you afraid of?”

She also noted how CMTV highlights local businesses. “Who gets to decide which businesses that we videotape?” Foley said.

“It’s about elections,” Righeimer said in response. “Big difference.”