EDITORIAL

Most of our readers would agree, Measure F is a bad idea.

The ballot initiative, set for the March 7 primary election, would give

voters the final say on certain major development projects in the county.

Opponents argue that, if passed, Measure F would hijack the county’s

already-too-lengthy planning process. Rather than allowing the Board of

Supervisors to do the job they were elected to do, the measure would

require a two-thirds majority to push forward some projects that would

have a significant impact on nearby communities.

The measure’s critics also warn that the effects of the initiative are

unpredictable. Who knows how often the county’s voters will have to

trudge to and from the polls for a costly election with a single item on

the ballot? And who will decide how many elections are necessary, where

the line will be drawn?

They question whether the general public is even interested in the

county’s projects. Voter turnout is already low with elections only every

two years.

Newport Beach residents who would vote against Measure F would do so

simply because it’s bad government, irresponsible planning and

counterproductive to a thriving county economy.

It’s easy to understand why Newport Beach is staunchly opposed to Measure

F, considering the driving force behind it: derailing plans for the El

Toro airport.

We don’t disagree with their arguments against the anti-airport measure.

But we can’t help but point out that this initiative South County

residents are pushing has quite a familiar ring to it.

And in these parts, it’s called the Greenlight initiative.

The measure is being pushed by a small group of residents’ activists

but is seemingly supported by a large segment of Newport’s population.

It would require citywide votes to ratify all general plan amendments

defined as “major.”

While the fine print of the two measures is much different, the

underlying theme of both is the same: put the decision-making power on

major developments in the hands of the people rather than elected

leaders.

Opponents to the Greenlight measure -- City Council members,

developers and business activists -- have been echoing the line of

reasoning many Newport Beach residentialists use when it comes to the

anti-airport Measure F.

Why are these arguments sound and reasonable when it comes to South

County’s initiative but ludicrous when targeted at their own anti-growth

measure?

That’s a question supporters of Greenlight need to answer.