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OC Business Journal: Mayor Pringle Is One Of OC's 50 Most Influential People

The Orange County Business Journal has named Mayor Curt Pringle as one of Orange County's 50 Most Influential People:

OC 50 - GOVERNMENT & INSTITUTIONS

Profiles of Orange County's Most Influential Businesspeople

CURT LAYNE PRINGLE
Mayor, City of Anaheim

Born in Emmetsburg, Iowa,

June 27, 1959

Lives in Anaheim

“Curt.”

Chummy, visionary mayor with big-city ambitions. Drawn attention for “freedom friendly,” pro-business tack to government; even a new verb in policy circles—“Pringle-ize.”

Spearheaded business-tax holiday, home-improvement fee waiver. Granting free access to street, utility poles to Earthlink in bid to have citywide wireless network by end of year.

Immersed in national controversy over who gets to provide video, Internet to homes: Favors scrapping traditional, exclusive franchise pacts and invite all comers—AT&T already installing fiber-optic network over Adelphia’s objections.

Has championed redevelopment throughout city, without use of eminent domain. Sweeping zoning code changes most evident in Platinum Triangle, area around Angel Stadium being converted by Lennar, others into mini-city of high-rise condos (see real estate OC 50ers Jon Jaffe, Emile Haddad).

Touting market incentives to address affordable housing. Critics complain about traffic, noise, crime in some older neighborhoods.

Sports are a love, also a headache. NBA recently awarded Anaheim development league franchise but not the sought-after big-league team. City has given NFL deadline of later this month to decide on franchise, stadium deal. Council deciding whether to appeal verdict in favor of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Not on speaking terms with Angels owner, fellow OC 50er Arte Moreno.

Critics call Pringle heavy-handed, manipulative.

Ultimate networker. On boards such as Orange County Transportation Authority, gives talks around country. Political conservative who has advised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, counts Democrats Willie Brown, John Burton, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as friends.

Four terms in Assembly, including 11 months as speaker in 1996 during GOP’s brief reign.

Has put behind him 1988 poll-guard election controversy—on good terms with Hispanic community. Councilman Richard Chavez reliable third vote on five-member council.

Elected mayor in 2002, looks like a shoo-in for re-election to a final term this fall. Guessing game over his next career move.

Grew up in Garden Grove. Bachelor’s in business, master’s in public administration from Cal State Long Beach. Runs government consulting firm, Curt Pringle & Associates. Teaches government course at UC Irvine.

Wife Alexis, teenage children Kyle, Katie.