Letters to the Editor: If Peotter recall effort is successful it will restore our faith in government

In November 2014, Scott Peotter was barely elected to the Newport Beach City Council with 11,920 votes. On Oct. 27, the signatures of 10,688 voters were submitted on a recall petition asking that he be removed from office. As I walked the city with my recall petition, I was impressed that our neighbors gave so many varied reasons for supporting his removal, ranging from his jaw-dropping incivility to his total disregard of campaign finance laws. In August, his attempt to turn down $480,000 in gas tax funds due to our city brought him the scorn of residents as just one of the many poor financial decisions he has made in his tenure.

By far, the biggest objection voiced to Peotter was his attempt to deny the residents their right to stop the Museum House project by adding 3,700 pages to the referendum petition. This was an act of stunning legislative arrogance, and it was the act of a bully. Democracy works best when democratic processes are respected, and his attempt to undermine the constitutional rights of the residents failed when the project was stopped.

While I expected the public opposition to his strong support for high-rise development, I was surprised by the number of residents who signed the petition because they resent the “boss style” government introduced by Team Newport and the men who got them elected: political consultant Dave Ellis and financial donor Bob McCaffery. The belief that Ellis and McCaffery control their candidates’ actions is strong, reinforced by the fact that Ellis worked for a Museum House lobbyist as a subcontractor and that every council member who voted for it had been elected with his help.

Voters want an independent City Council and a level playing field, not backroom machinations that disregard the best interests of residents. They want civility and fairness. The recall of Peotter is the first step toward draining the swamp and restoring our faith in government.

Susan Skinner

Newport Beach

It’s up to voters to decide Peotter’s fate

I read with interest Michael Toerge’s letter, “Is Newport better off with or without Peotter?” I wonder how many Republicans and independents initially supporting Newport Beach Councilman Scott Peotter now question their votes based upon his behavior, his lack of accomplishment and his arguably anticommunity stands on issues? Such is not the only measure of whether Peotter should be recalled. Voters must also evaluate how much disruption and damage to community interests Peotter can cause over the remainder of his term in office. I submit that it can be substantial. Is that what Newport Beach wants?

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach

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