COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

For the seventh year in a row, I deviate from the traditional Community & Clubs format to present the Turkey and Eagle Awards for Newport-Mesa. The nominees come from the pages of the Daily Pilot as both the Turkey and Eagle are newsmakers in our community.

The votes are in, and for 2008, we, the nominating committee, have selected Turkey of the Year who is none other than “Let’s sue the City of Newport Beach� Allan Beek. Beek filed a lawsuit against Newport Beach a year ago to stop Measure B from going to the voters. Beek ended up zero for three in legal hearings on his suit, as he tried to stop the development of the city hall in a park at Fashion Island that cost the city between $20,000 and $30,000 in legal defense fees.

The 2007 Turkey of the Year was then-Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Michael S. Carona and County Treasurer/Tax Collector Chriss Street, who was also under investigation after a bankruptcy filing while he was the trustee liquidating Fruehauf Trailer Corp. This summer, prosecutors decided not to file any charges and closed the case.

The 2006 Turkey of the Year was recalled Santa Ana Unified School District Board member Nativo Lopez, who organized and led the disruption of Costa Mesa City Council meetings to protest the proposed measure to check on the citizenship of those arrested for violent felonies.

In 2005 we dishonored then-Costa Mesa Council member and now Mayor Eric Bever for ego and arrogance, and Greenlight’s Phil Arst for continuing to try to undo decisions of the duly-elected City Council, as co-Turkeys of the Year.

The Eagle of the Year Award is given annually to those who soar in the community, with honesty, integrity and service above and beyond the norm.

The sixth annual Eagle of the Year Award goes to former Daily Pilot Publisher Tom Johnson, who resigned rather than follow orders from the new owners of Tribune Co. to lay off more Daily Pilot staff this past summer. The Pilot had already gone through two rounds of layoffs and buyouts, reducing its staff considerably as the new Tribune owners try to maximize corporate profit.

The 2007 Eagle of the Year was Costa Mesa resident and Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, who consistently stands up for what he believes is best for all citizens and against wrongdoing. Moorlach, a mentor to Street, had called on Street and Carona to resign.

The 2006 Eagles were Arches Restaurant owner Dan Marcheano and Superior Court Judge Steve Bromberg for their leadership with the 1/1 Marines.

The 2005 Eagles were community benefactors Donna and John Crean for their support of the new library at Mariners Park.

 

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council: “Never be satisfied with what you achieve, because it all pales in comparison with what you are capable of doing in the future�

— Rabbi Nochem Kaplan

 

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

 

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive. For more information, visit www.bcyc.org.

 

THURSDAY

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

 

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 52-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, for a program by Andrew L. Weigner, past president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn. For details, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary. org.

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites, 500 Anton Blvd. For more information, visit www.costamesarotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected].