FEEDBACK

Your coverage of the June 12 debate between the Greenlight Protection

from Traffic and Density proponents and the supporters of the counter

initiative to Greenlight (the Traffic Phasing Initiative) describes

Greenlight members as questioning the veracity of our elected officials

(“Credibility suddenly subject of forum,” June 13).

As one of the participants in the debate, I believe this reporting

misstates our focus.

Although Phil Arst did quote Mayor John Noyes as saying “trust us,” this

was in the process of questioning whether our elected representatives are

adequately representing the needs of the residents when they approve

large projects, such as the proposed Dunes hotel.

I like and respect each of the City Council members and believe that each

sees himself or herself as pursuing the best interests of the city.

However, the collective decisions being made by the council are adding

more people, more traffic and more density to our city and are not

protecting our quality of life.

It is within this context that Arst quoted Noyes. Arst wondered whether

residents should trust their elected representatives or trust themselves

to protect our quality of life and make the final decision on large

projects in our city.

Trust must be earned. The decision of the City Council on the proposed

Dunes hotel will speak volumes as the answer to Arst’s question.

Thank you.

SUSAN SKINNER CAUSTIN

Newport Beach