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Column: As recall effort moves forward, Toerge clarifies views on high-density development

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As Newport enters new waters with the Councilman Scott Peotter recall effort, the first in the city’s history, there has been some innovation alongside the continued controversy.

Tasked with obtaining about 8,500 signatures by October to bring the issue to the voters, the Recall Scott Peotter Committee is taking advantage of the digital age.

Typically, petition drives in the past set up tables in front of grocery stores and other high-traffic public areas with volunteers collecting signatures.

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And the committee is doing this, but it’s added another component by launching a massive email campaign with the actual petition.

Supporters are sending the petition, along with specific instructions as to how to fill it out, print it and mail it back to the committee at 2618 San Miguel Drive, No. 1708, Newport Beach, Calif. 92660. The petition can also be downloaded at recallscottpeotter.com.

This move is groundbreaking. They’ve made it convenient to sign in private , and they’re urging supporters to forward it to their friends. If successful, this could change the way petition drives are conducted from here on out.

But even with the modernized method of signature gathering in addition to manning tables in the community, the recall effort still has a way to go.

I will continue to examine the complexities of the issues surrounding the recall effort. In my last column I raised the notion that with only one candidate at the moment running against Peotter, his former opponent in the 2014 election Mike Toerge, there were those in the community who questioned Toerge’s past decisions on high-density development.

Toerge supported Measure Y in 2014, while residents overwhelmingly did not.

Toerge and I spoke about that this week.

Reflecting on 2014, Toerge admitted that not supporting No on Y cost him the election.

“I got bad advice,” he said in reference to political consultants who urged him to support Y, though his initial instinct was not to.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “I made the decision, and I own it.”

He went on to say he’s always been a “residents-first guy, and I compromised my ideals. I’ve dealt with it, I’m past it and moving on.”

Toerge tells me this experience will make him a better councilman, should he prevail in this recall.

But I had to ask, is this recall really just “sour grapes,” as Peotter and his supporters claim?

“Absolutely not, I didn’t organize this recall, but I am supporting it,” Toerge said.

Now is the time to replace Peotter, as a new General Plan update is being discussed, Toerge said.

Toerge served with Peotter for a time, when both were planning commissioners, and says Peotter voted overwhelmingly for land-use changes and development during that time.

With “little land-use expertise on the current council,” Peotter, an architect, could have “undue influence” over current council members, Toerge said, adding that Peotter’s propensity toward high-density development worries him.

Toerge said that as a planning commissioner he made his decisions based on residents first and city economic gain second.

He also touts his past experience working on the last General Plan update in 2006, zoning codes and the current local coastal plan. His expertise in review, and analysis of code compliance, is what he feels the city needs in the council mix right now.

“In this political arena people want to label you either pro- or anti-development,” he said. “I support the General Plan.”

But even if Peotter is recalled, Team Newport would still dominate the council.

Toerge said he’s not worried, feels he has a good relationship with Brad Avery -- they hike together -- is impressed with Councilman Will O’Neill and has no issues with working with Councilwoman Diane Dixon or Mayor Kevin Muldoon.

“Jeff Herdman is going to need someone with conviction who is realistically prepared to change his mind when confronted with compelling factual information,” he said.

Toerge believes all on the council would welcome his planning experience and says he “can work with anyone who is rational and wants to help community — but not someone with an agenda.”

And Peotter has been accused of having a very specific agenda, according a Fair Political Practices Commission complaint filed by activist Susan Skinner.

Among her allegations, Skinner questioned Peotter’s alleged financial ties to Capitol Ministries in Washington, D.C., which according to its website, “plants and develops biblical ministries of evangelism and discipleship to public servants.”

As a strong believer in separation of church and state, I found what I read on the organization’s site, capmin.org, regarding its political and religious agenda disturbing.

Skinner also raises questions about Peotter’s 700 financial reporting forms, as Newport Beach planning commissioner from 2006-10, where he reported no “reportable interests,” including income, spousal income, business interests, investment income and gifts received, yet he managed to live in Newport.

Peotter later told the Daily Pilot he was out of work during the recession and didn’t have income to report. He was living off savings.

He also explained to the Pilot that he stands by everything on his forms and has no problem answering any questions by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

“I don’t have anything to hide,” he said. “That’s why we file these things publicly.”

BARBARA VENEZIA lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com.

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