Mailbag: City Council isn’t Congress; it’s time to cooperate

City Council isn’t Congress; it’s time to cooperate

I have read, with interest, the recent commentaries from Mayor Diane Dixon, Councilman Keith Curry and Councilman Duffy Duffield, evidencing the animosity among Newport Beach City Council members. This is unfortunate and not in the best interests of residents of the city of Newport Beach.

This is Newport Beach, not the United States Congress. We are really a small town. We do not want or need the polarization and obstructionism among our City Council members that is evident in Congress.

Curry, our former mayor, has the ability as a senior and outgoing member of the City Council, to attempt to get things done instead of writing unnecessary and negative comments in the Daily Pilot. Curry (no relation to me) and other council members, need to work to better our community. We elected them to do that, and we can vote them out.

Curry is termed out. I would expect him to be above such conduct. I would expect him to set an example for the members of the City Council with shorter tenures.

Curry may be very right about campaign financing concerns. So, I expect the council to do something about it. Curry, Dixon and the others should be fully transparent as to their sources of campaign contributions.

As is always the unfortunate case in Newport Beach, these campaign contributions to Newport Beach councilmen, and those running for council, largely come from developers and businessmen seeking favors and business with the city of Newport Beach.

As far as I am concerned, let all of our councilmen and candidates be forced to wear the true names of their contributors on their clothing at all public meetings and campaign events. The addresses, business names and professions, and past, present and pending business with the city of Newport Beach should be specifically stated.

They will all look like a bunch of NASCAR drivers supporting their sponsors. Let us have true transparency.

Our council needs to work together. They need to get to work and stop fighting with each other. As can be seen at a national level, voters are sick of the constant fighting and obstructionism. Our council should learn from that.

Randy Curry
Newport Beach

Dog beach gets preliminary approval

Yay, on the county level, and they own the land! Thank you to Supervisor Michelle Steel.

Yes, the parking down there may be the big issue but they are on public streets, and if you rent a place there without a guaranteed parking spot, you get what you pay for as a resident.

It would be a landlord’s responsibility to follow the rules on rentals and parking spaces per tenants. This is widely ignored. There is no question here about the right of pet owners to enjoy a corner of the beach. I’ve never seen an aggressive dog down there. My pit bull loves it and never had an incident with one of the aggressive little dogs. She rolls over on her back and gives in.

If your dog isn’t that willing to participate in normal doggy interaction, then it does not belong off-leash, or at a dog park for that matter. Just like people, some will bite your hand, others will shake it.

People I have observed at the beach there are more than willing to make sure their pet isn’t a nuisance, and that is because they value this little spit of land so highly and don’t want to lose it. Happy dogs are really fun to watch too.

Just don’t set up a beach towel there; it is an active play area and you may end up with a dog on your beach towel kissing your face or running with another dog, blissfully unaware that they scattered sand on your towel.

I doubt you’d put a beach towel down at a doggy park either. This is the coolest beach ever. Why deny it to people who really love it just the way it is? I hope the City Council does the right thing! Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken!

Meridee Thompson
Newport Beach

Dog beach deserves formal OK

Please save the off-leash Newport Dog beach.

I have a puppy, and this is the only beach that has calm enough water for her. I am an Orange County resident, and this matter is of the utmost importance to me.

The majority of residents want this. Please do not let a few loud-mouth, complaining naysayers speak for the overwhelming majority of us residents and taxpayers who welcome and desire this beach!

Julie London
Irvine

Strip of land is a true joy

The area between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach is a local treasure for both dogs and their owners, and it has been for decades.

The rough surf smaller and older dogs face in other dog beaches is mitigated by a gentle stream of runoff heading out into the ocean. There are simply not enough areas available for off-leash socialization, and there is certainly no experience quite like the one we have with dog beach.

Ron Poh
Newport Beach

Beach improves animals’ well-being

Please help us keep the Newport river jetty open for dog access and urge Newport Beach City Council to expand its boundaries to Olive Street so we can legally access the property that is county-owned. This beach is so vital and appreciated for what it means to the well-being and socialization of dogs and their owners in this area.

Any articles or publicity that you can give this topic is greatly appreciated.

Michelle Simpson
Costa Mesa

Choppers interrupt peace and quiet

On a recent Sunday, after the rain cleared, the sun came out, and it was beautiful. I stepped out onto my porch and a helicopter flew over my house.

It was 4:45 p.m.

Then it flew over again at 4:50.

And again at 4:55.

Then at 4:57.

And again at 5:03.

I don’t consider this patrolling. I consider it harassment. The Huntington Beach Police Department’s Air Support Unit — which also provides support for Newport Beach and Costa Mesa — causes thundering noise pollution, air pollution, visual congestion and ruins the ambience of the beach. Ambience is why I live here, and why the people across from me pay $5 million for a house.

I am asking you for the second time: Please stop flying the H.B. helicopter over my house. Just stop. Today.

I know the FAA had to get involved with this issue in L.A., and I imagine the Coastal Commission has a stake. However, I’m hoping our city leaders will take action to preserve our city’s urban environment and stop this nuisance.

Donald Graham
Newport Beach