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 OCRegister: 07.09.03
By JOEL ZLOTNIK
The Orange County Register
NEWPORT BEACH - The City Council voted 4-2 early this morning to condemn remarks by
Councilman Richard Nichols and asked him to resign if in the future he makes any decisions
based on the race or ethnicity of a person.
Nichols and Councilman John Heffernan dissented; Councilman Gary Proctor was absent.
The council agreed to not strip Nichols of his commission and committee assignments.
The two decisions came after two hours of public comments where about 50 people addressed
the council. The number of speakers for and against Nichols was about even. Many defended
his right to free speech and used the opportunity to condemn illegal immigration. Others
called for Nichols resignation saying he has a history of racial insensitivity and
shouldn't be allowed to hold public office.
The 63-year-old councilman defended himself after hearing from people on all sides of the
issue.
"I am not a racist," Nichols said. He said he's worked side by side be people of
all ethnicities and has no problem with any of them. He's supported black and Latino
candidates running for office, he said. "If you think you can label me a Mexican-hater,
the evidence just isn't there to support it," he said.
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