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Newport Harbor got some attention this week, as Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved some changes to staffing and speed limits. Council voted 4-0 on Tuesday in favor of two position re-classifications in the newly created Harbor Department and, in another agenda item,...

This November I urge fellow Newporters to vote for candidates who respect the views of residents, who have strong community ties, and are independent thinkers. Four years ago, many of us were misled into voting in a slate of ideologues (Team Newport) whose actions have favored...

Incumbent Newport Beach City Councilperson Scott Peotter stated his number one concern for the City’s future is the unfunded pension liabilities the previous City Council encumbered us with. I cannot disagree with him on that matter. However, he currently draws paychecks from the...

Seven Orange County cities have sales tax increases on their ballots this year.  Without question, these are all pension taxes. Pensions are crowding out basic services across the County. But not here in Newport Beach. In 2014, a wave of new candidates ran on a platform of...

I recently read Joy Brenner’s letter to the editor attempting to rationalize her 43 donations to Democrat candidates and liberal political action committees through ActBlue, a SuperPAC formed to promote Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. Federal Elections Commission records...

As a fiscally responsible 43-year resident and property owner of Newport Beach, I can appreciate Roy Englebrecht’s concern about the fiscal health of Newport Beach. As a longstanding resident himself, he has the history necessary to make wise decisions that will help keep...

Since Scott Peotter and friends have brought up the issue of comparability with the candidate who is running against him for Newport Beach City Council, Joy Brenner (claiming that he is “more Republican” than she), I thought it would be an opportune time to name some of the other...

It’s been a long time since I’ve written to a newspaper, but now I believe I must voice an opinion about what a local election should and should not be. First, local is truly that. Local. Does a candidate express views about the city, in this case Newport Beach, that I believe...

I asked Tim Stoaks if I could interview him so I may be able to provide some insight to our community and myself on why Tim is running for council and what things matter to him in our city. We met at Roger’s Gardens to talk about his platform, his characteristics for leadership,...

Taking a stroll yesterday in Newport Heights, I noticed a few “Duffy” signs around my neighborhood and I couldn’t help but think to myself that some residents just might be voting for their friend and naively for a “Duffy” boat and not for the future of Newport Beach. Ironically,...

Once again we have seen partisanship rear its ugly head both in D.C. and in Newport. And who has suffered? Both the citizens and our system of government. Nothing gets accomplished and no problems get solved when we are arguing like politicians. And that’s what they want,...

The question is. who to vote for in November’s City Council election? I know who I’m voting for because actions speak louder than words.  Forums are good introductions, but often don’t do much to differentiate one candidate from another. All candidates say they “love” Newport so,...

The Planning Commission Study Session for the Koll Center Residences project, previously scheduled for Nov. 8, has been postponed and due to an unscheduled vacancy on the Commission, Newport Beach city officials announced this week. In a message shared on Wednesday, city...

At the final public forum for the 2018 Newport Beach City Council candidates, the audience was more involved and outspoken, creating some tense, heated, and impassioned moments. Members of the crowd often interacted directly with some of the candidates, calling out questions and...

With our city council elections approaching, you’ve been reading a stream of letters to the editor yearning for the old days of big, expensive, and bloated city government. The small and loud old guard lost power in 2014, and they don’t like it. There was a time when you had to...

It seems that most projects and remodels in this town are built by exception . . . exception to the existing General Plan and Zoning Codes. Why is that? Why do we bother with plans, codes and a building department? All we really need is a big red rubber stamp that ...

As a former member of the Newport Beach City Council, I have a unique perspective on this year’s election. During my first two years, I was privileged to serve with dedicated public servants who put the city first and worked in a spirit of collegiality to accomplish important...

It has been our collective honor to serve as Citizens of the Year in Newport Beach.   All of us share a love for our community and a deep appreciation for the values that make our city great. We also share a concern about the direction of our city over the past four years and how...

Newport Beach City Council candidates had a busy week of forums, one more casual, discussion-like, another small, neighborhood-focused, and another moderated by local students who will be voting for the first time in November. They discussed a range of topics, including which...

I recently received a taxpayer funded mailing inviting me to a taxpayer funded Town Hall on Public Safety featuring Supervisor Michelle Steel and co-hosted by Newport Beach Mayor Duffy Duffield. Ironically, this meeting will be held in the Community Center at Civic Center Park,...