Costa Mesa councilmember to resign; has been absent for family health issues

Councilmember Don Harper recently announced he intends to resign from the Costa Mesa City Council, saying he’s represented a voice that’s “quite different” from his colleagues on the dais.

Harper said he’s missed council meetings over the last few months due to “health issues with my family.”

“In good conscience, I’m not sure I can continue my responsibilities here,” said Harper, who represents the city’s west side, which includes the Mesa Verde neighborhood.

During the Feb. 20 council meeting while announcing his resignation, Harper said he speaks for people who want a smaller city government and oppose Sacramento’s policies to remove local control over issues such as housing.

“I’ve attempted to speak for those people in our community who don’t want to be a cannabis city, for those people that don’t want so many bike lanes, for those that don’t want high-density housing,” Harper said.

Harper said he would make his resignation official in the coming weeks. Harper had not yet filed his resignation letter with the City Clerk as of Monday, March 4, a city spokesperson said.

Once Harper resigns, the council can either fill his position via appointment or call for a special election.

District 1 voters elected Harper in 2020. He is the CEO of a mobile fueling company.

Source: Orange County Register