Mailbag: Tony Petros’ independence will be missed

Why is it that we so often appreciate people more after they are gone? Councilman Tony Petros isn’t gone yet, but he is leaving the Newport Beach City Council soon. When I expressed my feelings of disappointment over his departure with some of my neighbors, they too said that they were sincerely sorry to see him go. I wish that we had told him earlier how much we appreciate his candor and his independence.

It is not as if Petros always saw things your way. But when he didn’t, he was honest and upfront about it. He was definitely no pushover.

My first involvement in city politics was a discussion that I had with Petros a few years ago over my displeasure in outsourcing trash collection in Newport Beach. He disagreed with me and was not shy in stating his views. But I wasn’t either and in the end my concerns were addressed.

Petros got personally involved with issues that were taking place in his area, from the revitalization of the post office on Riverside Drive to the replanting of Cliff Drive Park. One of the most controversial interactions with residents in which he was involved was no doubt, the under-grounding movement that caused great division in Newport Heights.

The under-grounding of utilities was taking place all over Newport, but Petros’ district became one of the most divided and vociferous over its feelings about this issue. It must have been difficult for him to have to grapple with his personal feelings and those of his constituency.

His unhappiness showed, however, when it came time for a crucial decisive vote on the issue at a City Council meeting. Petros was the only council member who voted to follow the rules that the council itself had established, because it was very apparent that he was in touch with the feelings of his constituency, like them or not.

It was at the Nov. 29 council meeting that Tony again voted against his own opinion on Museum House because he knew that that was what the people he represented wanted him to do. He was the only council member who did this.

It is actually through this comparison and contrast with some of his peers that his true value as a council member becomes apparent. He speaks intelligently, decisively and most importantly, extemporaneously. Not using a prepared speech shows that he has not come to the meeting — at which he is supposed to be listening to both sides of an issue — with his decisions already established.

He was aware of the large crowd in the audience that was there to oppose the building of Museum House. He speaks and acts professionally at council meetings, not resorting to personal attacks, pettiness or remarks to those who do not agree with him. Petros’ intellect and leadership skills stand out and will be sorely missed on the City Council.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

*

City is working out Art Walk issues

The city of Laguna Beach has received questions regarding recent enforcement efforts during Art Walk. The police department has been working with the Art Walk Board to address issues related to the event.

While some notices were provided to participating businesses, they clearly did not convey the necessary information to the right people and, unfortunately, citations were issued that exceeded the intent of the cooperative effort to gain compliance with all applicable laws.

In the spirit of working with Art Walk participants, the city reached out to the district attorney’s office, who will not be pursuing those citations, and the recipients have been notified.

The city values the Art Walk program and how it celebrates our community’s heritage and culture. The police department will be working with the Art Walk organization over the next several months to establish an appropriate program that respects the purpose of the event while ensuring that a safe and legal environment is provided for all. In the meantime, the event will continue while solutions are developed.

We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the issues.

City Manager John Pietig

Police Chief Laura Farinella

Laguna Beach

*

Banning Ranch should be open to all

Kudos to the Newport Banning Ranch project for exposing the rampant dysfunction of the California Coastal Commission.

I was extremely disappointed in its rejection of Newport Banning Ranch’s plan to clean, restore and open the property, protect wildlife and plants, and provide biking and hiking trails for our community. We have the right to access this space and Newport Banning Ranch proposed an environmentally friendly and economically feasible option to transform the industrial brownfield.

The staff report and the commission’s rejection denied us this wonderful opportunity, even after the Newport Banning Ranch spent years cooperating with the commission to find a solution that would satisfy the needs of the environment and the community. The bias that the commission carried against the proposal was unjust and should be legally scrutinized.

I was happy to hear that Newport Banning Ranch is continuing its fight to give us what is rightfully ours and support its decision to take legal action against the commission.

Jon Anderson

Costa Mesa