City Council nominates three applicants to fill two upcoming vacancies on Newport Beach Harbor Commission

NEWPORT BEACH—Newport Beach Harbor Commission will soon see two new faces. The City Council approved a list of nominees for board and commission scheduled vacancies coming up, which included the harbor commission.

Commissioners John Drayton and David Girling will be leaving the Harbor Commission at the end of the month. Drayton was appointed on April 25, 2017. Girling is the longest serving commissioner of the current group; his appointment was March 13, 2012. Girling’s term was slated to expire on June 2021, but according to Assistant City Manager Carol Jacobs, he will vacate his seat early due to personal reasons.

Three nominees were approved by the city council on June 11 for the Harbor Commission: Marie Marston, Stephen Scully and Renee West. All candidates appear to have extensive experience in working with public committees, advisory boards and volunteer environments as well as impressive resumes. Scully and West are both boat owners, who place an emphasis on the harbor’s assets. Marston, a civil engineer who served on both Newport Beach General Plan Advisory Committee Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission, is not a boat owner or resident on the harbor, but enjoys SUP, kayaking and other on-the-water activities. All applications have been posted online attached to the agenda for the June 11 meeting.

The Harbor Commission is an agency made up of volunteers. Just a few of their responsibilities include providing feedback to city council members on harbor-related activity such as dredging, boater amenities, permits and adopting policies affecting the harbor. Harbor commissioners are appointed by the City Council.

Newport Beach’s Harbor Commission is currently comprised of Vice Chair Scott Cunningham, Ira Beer, Paul Blank, Bill Kenney, Jr., and Don Yahn. Blank, who was appointed shortly after Girling in June, will receive the torch as longest running commissioner; his term expires next year in June 2020.

For more information about Newport Beach Harbor Commission, visit the website at newportbeachca.gov/government/departments/harbor/harbor-commission.