News Summary
During a surprise announcement at the VEA Hotel, Ed Selich was honored with the title of Newport Beach Citizen of the Year for his significant contributions to the community. His dedication is exemplified through his long tenure on the City Council and various civic organizations. The award, celebrating individuals committed to the community, reflects the values of service and leadership within Newport Beach. Former honorees praised Selich’s problem-solving skills and diligence, and the event emphasized the importance of collective progress in enhancing the local environment.
Newport Beach – Ed Selich was honored with the title of 2025 Newport Beach Citizen of the Year during a surprise announcement made at the VEA Hotel on Monday morning. The event, initially framed as a discussion regarding the upcoming annual Mayor’s Dinner with hotel manager Debbie Snavely, quickly turned into a celebration of Selich’s impactful contributions to the community.
Selich expressed feelings of honor, surprise, and being caught off guard by the recognition, which gathered several familiar faces to acknowledge his contributions. The award is a testament to Selich’s 12 years of dedicated service on the Newport Beach City Council, where he completed three one-year terms as mayor. His commitment to the community is further exemplified by his decade-long tenure on the Newport Beach Planning Commission.
In addition to his work on the city council, Selich holds significant roles in civic organizations. He is the president of Speak Up Newport, an organization primarily focused on addressing community issues, and also serves as the president of the Newport Beach Housing Fund, which is dedicated to tackling the city’s affordable housing challenges.
The Citizen of the Year Award, sponsored by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, has celebrated residents committed to enhancing the community since its inception in 1949. This award emphasizes a focus on helping others achieve their goals rather than highlighting personal accomplishments or positions of authority.
At the ceremony, former honoree Marie Case was present to symbolically transfer the Citizen of the Year baton to Selich, reflecting a tradition of community acknowledgment. Another past recipient, Homer Bludau, shared insights about Selich’s diligence and helpful nature during their collaborative interactions concerning city matters. David Beek, a former Citizen of the Year, praised Selich’s adept problem-solving skills and extensive knowledge of community procedures, both vital in fostering continuous improvement within Newport Beach.
The presence of numerous past honorees at the event highlighted a longstanding tradition within Newport Beach of recognizing individuals who volunteer their time and actively engage in efforts to enhance the community environment. The Citizen of the Year award not only celebrates individual effort but underscores the collective aim of making Newport Beach a better place for its residents.
Selich’s achievement reflects the community’s appreciation for those who not only occupy leadership roles but also immerse themselves in the day-to-day efforts of community service. His leadership and commitment have made a notable impact on the Newport Beach landscape, paving the way for future initiatives focused on health and sustainability, affordable housing advancement, and civic engagement among residents.
The community’s embrace of such values is what turns recognition like the Citizen of the Year Award into a meaningful celebration of collective progress and service toward enhancing life in Newport Beach.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Newport Beach Citizen of the Year
- Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
- Newport Beach Independent: State of the City Address
- Google Search: Newport Beach Citizen of the Year
- Los Angeles Times: David Beek Named Citizen of the Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport Beach
- Newport Beach Independent: Marie Case Named Citizen of the Year
- Google News: Newport Beach News
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COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
