Mailbag: We stand corrected: It’s Lido Isle

Re “Chef Nobu Matsuhisa rolls into Nobu Newport Beach,” Sept. 13
Regarding Sarah Mosqueda’s piece on Chef Nobu: the sub-headline refers to a “Lido Island eatery.” First of all, there are no “eateries” on Lido but several just across the bridge. But the most egregious error is the mention of “Lido Island.” There is no such place in Newport Beach.

The correct name is Lido Isle (which shares this distinction with Linda Isle). The venerable and late Commodore Mel Richley, a man with whom almost every Lido Isle resident is familiar, is surely turning over in his grave as he would make a point of correcting anyone who ever said such a thing. I have kept his tradition alive.

I do not blame Sarah because it is usually the editors who come up with the headlines. Perhaps they need some enhanced education as to the details of our fair city.

Lenard Davis
Newport Beach

Voter intimidation

In 1988, uniformed private security guards were posted at 20 polling places in predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Santa Ana. The controversy led to a federal civil-rights lawsuit, and in 1989 the Orange County Republican Party and other defendants agreed to pay $400,000 to settle the case.

Fast-forward to 2026. Today, there is talk about the FBI, Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security each sending 1,000 personnel to polling places this November. Imagine the potential cost.

Assuming that yesterday’s $400,000 is roughly equivalent to $1 million today, deploying 1,000 personnel would represent a $1-billion dollar price tag. Do that three times and the cost would be $3 billion.

But the real issue isn’t the money. It’s whether Americans should have to walk into a polling place and face federal agents or military personnel standing there.

We learned a valuable lesson in O.C. nearly four decades ago: There is a huge difference between observing an election and intimidating voters.

Polling places must be places where Americans feel free to vote — not places where they wonder who is watching them.

Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach

A wonderful mix

Re “Mailbag: Please treat Newport Heights’ charm carefully,” Sept. 13
I was touched by Lynn Lorenz’s letter about our neighborhood. We share her affection for Newport Heights, after living here for more than 50 years. Our neighborhood’s character must be protected by respecting and listening to the people who call the Heights home — us!

It is imperative that we stop the flippers and Realtors from forcing us to pay for needless changes to city and utility infrastructure. Our property values continue to climb due to our irreplaceable, charming community.

We have a wonderful mix of old and new homes, mature trees and gardens, and the sense of history and community that has developed over generations. If we allow our foundation trees and streets to be updated for false “safety” claims and so called aesthetic “improvements,” the pure essence of Newport Heights will be destroyed at the expense of us longtime villagers.

Kudos to the Daily Pilot for publishing a photo more representative of our neighborhood. Previous photos have all been full of power poles and wires. At least 60% of our above ground, newly updated equipment, is unnoticeable in our alleys. We would like to keep it that way and be able to afford and embrace our beautiful community in the peaceful future we deserve.

Debbie Knost
Newport Heights

A well attended event

Hard on the heels of a City Council meeting where past mayor Pat Burns sought to singe his reputation further by denouncing the alleged rise of socialism and communism in Huntington Beach and then going off on protests from audience members by calling them “a bunch of idiots,” came the Protect Huntington Beach- sponsored City Council Candidate Forum the following night.

Naturally, Burns and his MAGA incumbent members and fellow travelers did not show up. One Dem wag remarked about “the ‘elephant’ not in the room.” Another commented on their “transparency to the point of invisibility.”

The well-attended event, moderated by former H.B. mayors Jill Hardy and Erik Peterson, was informative and enlightening and allowed the Surf City 4 slate of candidates (Taryn Palumbo, Erin Spivey, Ben Davis, Brenda Glim) to shine. Perennial candidate Amory Hanson also represented himself well.

The actions of the City Council on Tuesday, especially regarding some juvenile arguments regarding the proposed plaque honoring the 75th anniversary of the Main Street Branch Library, underscored the unfitness of the current council to effectively represent the citizenry of our city and its best interests. The squabbling was mind-numbing.

The contrast between the performances of the City Council on Sept. 15 and the performances of the Surf City 4 candidates on Sept. 16 could not have been more stark and revealing. It was clear from this week that Huntington Beach needs better representation from its local government. It remains clear that Surf City 4 should become our new council majority.

Tim Geddes
Huntington Beach