New Newport Harbor Commissioner Appointed

Byline: Taylor Hill

NEWPORT BEACH – Newport Beach City Council members voted in Balboa Island resident and real estate firm founder David Girling to the Newport Beach Harbor Commission’s vacant seat, opened by Vince Valdes’ Jan. 10 resignation.

The council voted 4-3 in favor of Girling over Hornblower Cruises director of marine operations Chandler Bell at its March 13 meeting, with the term set to expire June 30, 2013.

Girling, who founded Girling REIG, has been a Newport Beach resident for 12 years and had sent in applications to the city for a seat on either the Harbor Commission or the Planning Commission, with the Planning Commission listed as his first preference.

Bell had applied for the position when previous Harbor Commissioner Don Lawrenz’ term concluded in 2011, but removed his name from the running at that time.

Girling attended the University of Southern California where he completed his undergraduate studies, majoring in business administration. He received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1985.

In his application to the city, Girling wrote, “While I believe my skills are best utilized on the Planning Commission, I am eager to serve the community. In that spirit, should the selection committee not select me for the Planning Commission, I am open to an appointment to one of the other commissions, such as the Harbor Commission or the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.”

At the Jan. 24 council meeting, Newport Beach mayor Nancy Gardner and city council member Ed Selich were appointed to an ad hoc selection committee to fill the vacancies on both the Harbor Commission and the Planning Commission.

Council members Gardner, Rush Hill, Steve Rosansky and Leslie Daigle voted for Girling, while council members Michael Henn, Ed Selich and Keith Curry voted for Bell.