Council hopefuls debate dueling traffic measures

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The debate over which initiative is worthy of

voter approval has become so heated that some City Council candidates are

left wondering if the measures are doing more harm than good.

At the top of this year’s political horizon are the Greenlight measure

and the Traffic Phasing initiative. Both promise relief from the city’s

traffic woes.

Greenlight, which proposes to let voters have the final say on certain

major developments, has succeeded in turning recent council meetings into

forums pitting council members and developers against community activists

and environmentalists.

The less controversial Traffic Phasing initiative proposes to

permanently add the city’s traffic relief law, which requires developers

to pay for certain road improvements, to the City Charter. If approved,

the measure would also nullify Greenlight.

The seven residents who intend to run for three open council seats in

the districts now represented by council members Jan Debay, John Noyes

and Tom Thomson are already feeling pressure created by the controversial

measures. The first question they hear is: “Which measure do you

support?”

“After reviewing Tuesday night’s City Council meeting -- and the

divisiveness that has been created in our community -- I have decided

that I will oppose both Greenlight and Traffic Phasing initiatives,” said

Steve Bromberg, who is running for Noyes’ seat.

Bromberg added that he thinks the existing traffic relief law should

be strengthened, saying, “Pitting neighbors against each other is the

wrong way to approach this issue.”

However, other council hopefuls, including Bromberg’s opponent, feel

the debates are simply the democratic process at work.

“I really don’t think it’s divisive,” said Robert Schoonmaker, who is

running against Bromberg in District 5. “I think it’s healthy and will do

whatever I can to see Greenlight pass.”

John Heffernan, running for Thomson’s seat, said he agrees with

Bromberg but added that Pandora’s box has been opened, noting that

candidates will have to deal with the consequences and make a choice.

“The table’s been set,” he said. “We’ve already pitted neighbor

against neighbor.”

Still, Heffernan is still straddling the fence while he continues to

study both measures.

“My position right now is in between. Each of them is so technical,”

he said, adding that his previous opposition to Greenlight was because he

“doesn’t understand it.”

Newcomer Steve Rosansky, running for Jan Debay’s seat in District 2,

said he is concerned about traffic issues, although he is still forming

his opinions about which measure he will support.

While the authors of both measures continue to debate what might be

the best approach to deal with the city’s mounting traffic problems,

there appears to be at least one area where they seem to agree.

“Despite the fact I vehemently disagree with the people of Greenlight,

I still consider them decent people,” said Tom Edwards, former mayor and

coauthor of the Traffic Phasing initiative. “It’s between the council and

Greenlight. I don’t consider it divisive among people in the community.”

Greenlight spokesman Phil Arst agreed.

“You’re talking about the City Council and a few people,” he said.

“You’re over-generalizing. I think the kind of discussion that is going

on is good.”

FYI

o7 The following Newport Beach residents have pulled nomination

papers to become City Council candidates:f7

DISTRICT 2

Steve Rosansky

DISTRICT 5

Steve Bromberg

Robert Schoonmaker

Pat Beek

DISTRICT 7

Bob Wynn

John Heffernan

Tom Thomson*

* -- incumbent