Readers Respond -- Ballot box Greenlight battle looms

Marian Bergeson’s commentary in the Oct. 17 edition of the Daily Pilot

stated she was disappointed in ads that mentioned her opposition to

Measure S and explained why she believes in representative government.

Hey, I believe in representative government, but I also think the time

for Measure S has come.

The difference between us is that Bergeson has not spent much time in

Newport Beach for quite a while. Oh sure, she has a home here, but she

spends most of her time in Northern California. On a daily basis, she

doesn’t have to fight the increased traffic, listen to the mounting noise

and see our once quaint community gradually being given over to unpopular

projects like the proposed Dunes Hotel.

This battle would all have been avoided in the first place if those

who “represented” us would have “listened” to our pleas. Rational

arguments were continually made to the Planning Commission and the City

Council regarding the continued exceptions being made to our city’s

general plan. They were seldom taken as anything other than an annoyance

to be somehow placated. Fortunately, we still have a democracy and a more

effective way for the people’s voice to be heard. See you at the polls

Nov. 7.

ROBERT OLSON

Newport Beach

As the Irvine Co. has been the main contributor in ‘the best

government money can buy” category, why believe their latest statement

about not building any high rises is what’s best for voters of Newport

and the Irvine Coast.

RON KENNEDY

Newport Beach

I am a staunch conservative. I am for little government, lower taxes

and a laissez faire economy. To most of my friends, I appear to have the

political views of a 60-year-old Republican man.

This year, this election, I am considering a change of heart. I am

speaking in regards to two ballot proposals in our city -- Measures S and

T.

To me S appears to be a proposal born from frustration with the local

government. Measure T appears to be a political touche to Measure S.

With regard to Measure S, no one feels that a minor improvement to a

small business should require a vote from the general electorate of the

city. Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that anyone feels that it is

the responsibility of small business to bear the burden of a cost of an

election that may be a fraction of the cost of a proposed

improvement/modification they may be suggesting.

This measure would no doubt squelch development, good and bad, in our

city. Clearly, these are decisions that should be made by our trustworthy

government. Aye, there’s the rub! We don’t seem to be able to trust our

government. Why?

1. Postponement of the Dunes hotel decision until after the elections.

Why was this postponed? This would tell us exactly where our council

members stand. Then we could vote considering their decisions. This

postponement does not breed trust in our city government.

2. Why has it not been made clear to the public that the land that the

Dunes hotel is hoping to usurp is county land? With less and less land

available to do truly unique things with today, why are we so willing to

put up a hotel or convention center? If I can remember, we have a

Marriott, Four Seasons, Hyatt Newporter and a Marriott Suites currently

in our city. Is our hope to make Newport a thriving downtown center of

conventions? I would bet that if this is what was presented to the

residents of Newport Beach, they would vote it down immediately.

3. Why has the city entered into an “exclusive negotiating agreement

with a developer who plans to build a $30-million luxury hotel on the

city-owned Marinapark site?” Clearly the peninsula is already suffering

from too much traffic as it stands today. Perhaps I’m uninformed. but

this just doesn’t seem like it’s in the best interest of our city.

Particularly since the city entered into an exclusive agreement.

4. Finally, before the Castaways homes were built, there was a call to

maintain this as open land via purchasing and preserving. What a unique

opportunity this would have been, indeed. Unfortunately, it did not

prevail. Clearly, it’s unlikely we’ll change this landscape back to its

original setting. And this makes my final point -- once it’s done it’s

done and there is no going back.

As for Measure T, it is a shame this has been turned into just a

political volley. The only way one can possibly respond to this is to

vote it down. Any other vote would encourage similar proposals. This is

exactly how our state and federal legislatures have gotten into an overly

“compromising” form of lawmaking. Too often they vote something they

don’t want into law in order to keep something else from becoming law.

For this reason, I feel we truly must consider swinging the pendulum

in the direction of Santa Monica (put the power in the hands of the

people). I can see this being disruptive to local businesses in the near

term, but I think that we’ll see the light and move back toward the

center in due time. Considering the decisions of our government, if we

don’t vote for Measure S, it might be too late.

Clearly, there are more details to be known than I’ve stated. As I am

not a full-time politician and I work for a living, I don’t have time to

dig into every last detail. However, given the information I am working

with, my vote can only be yes on “S” and no on “T.”

JEFF MARTIN

Newport Beach

It is no coincidence that the day the Daily Pilot headlines the Irvine

Co.’s withdrawal from the high-rise market in Newport Beach is the same

day Irvine Co. Vice President Gary Hunt’s Community Commentary against

Measure S ran on the editorial page. How are we to hold the Irvine Co. to

its word after the election?

I doubt there are legal documents to protect this “vow.”

Big business is scared of Greenlight -- even with all the money they

are spending they can see where the people of Newport Beach really stand

on protecting their quality of life.

No amount of money, false promises and advertising will change their

minds. And yes, the airport, infrastructure, etc., are very important

issues. My own quality of life would be affected by an airport expansion,

but so would it be affected by the Dunes hotel and more traffic at

Fashion Island. And I have worked for a lot of the senior citizens at

Marinapark for many years and have watched the city take their money when

it was one of the only profitable ventures for the city during the

recession, only to turn their backs on them now.

It was interesting that several weeks ago the Pilot questioned primary

school children as to what to do with the land at Marinapark and the

American Legion.

Without exception all the girls wanted to either keep the property as

it is with some changes, or make it a park or recreation area.

All the boys wanted to tear everything down and build a ritzy hotel.

My vote is for S and anyone who is supporting it in this city.

CAROLYN CARR

Balboa Island