(re: “My Turn: Yes on Measure EE,” NB Indy, 10/12:) Marian Bergeson has a long and distinguished record of involvement in the political fabric of our community. In view of this record, it was particularly disturbing to find her seeking to defend Measure EE largely by marginalizing those with an opposing viewpoint. She brands them [...]
(Re: “Red Herring Cameras,” NB Indy, 9/7:) For some time now, Irvine resident and Allan Mansoor Field Representative Scott Peotter has taken to the pages of the Independent to make various attacks on the city of Newport Beach and its City Council, most recently suggesting we are “pimps and panderers.” So much for the civility [...]
As a former mayor of the City of Newport Beach and an involved citizen, I have some reservations about losing Leslie Daigle, who has been an effective representative on the Newport Beach City Council. Leslie is a serious, focused, solutions-oriented representative on the City Council who has demonstrated a steady force for fiscally sound budget [...]
I’m writing this letter on Memorial Day to honor those military veterans, abroad and at home, who have given so much to protect the civil liberties, rights and privileges of the citizens of this Nation State we call home. Especially those who return home to their State, County and City, to find public employees working [...]
(Re: “Piano Raffle Provides the Gift of Music,” NBI, 3/18:) Thank you so much for the interesting and informative article. I loved the picture [at www.newportbeachindy.com] of Lang Lang playing the piano, and I thought your personal approach to the story was very appealing. Your information was flawless! The way you laid out the Symphony’s [...]
Nuclear is never safe to use as a source of power. Congress must end all funds for new plants in the U.S. Here are the reasons why: 1. Once released, nuclear contamination will continue essentially forever, and there is no way to clean it up. 2. No one knows how many cases of cancer may [...]
(Re: “City Eyes Moving Police Station,” NBI, 3/4:) Moving the police headquarters closer to the site of most trouble calls may be helpful but watch out for financial risk in the parallel proposal to contract with Costa Mesa to provide policing services. Personnel costs are nearly 60% of Newport Beach’s budget and the unfunded pension [...]
(Re: “Reagan OK’d for Park Site,” NBI, 2/25:) “Moving to end a surprisingly contentious dispute over whether and where to erect a statue of President Reagan in the city, the council voted 5-2 Tuesday night to OK the work .” – Roger Bloom. Some like myself, might think “contentious” a very kind, understatement by Mr. Bloom. Many [...]
(Re: “City Set to Triple Mooring Fees,” NBI, 11/19:) Dear elected representatives, Let me begin with a reminder you serve at the pleasure of your constituents, the good citizens/taxpayers of Newport Beach, many of whom are boaters. That said, let me say that Newport Beach is lucky to have us, the Boating Community! We [...]
I am increasingly aware of concerns being expressed by some candidates about “bloated” public pensions in Newport Beach and California. Perhaps a few facts from CalPERS will help our understanding of this issue: – The average annual pension is $25,000 a year. – The average length of service is 20.1 years – The average [...]
Orange County Updates