Editorial

Not all decisions are popular. That’s what it comes down to regarding

the changes made to the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade.

Those living in about 200 homes along the West Lido Channel will be

excluded from the parade route beginning in 2002 and are none too happy.

And that’s to be expected.

But changes had to be made, says the good folks at the Newport Harbor

Area Chamber of Commerce, who put on the parade.

The parade, now in its 93rd year, wasn’t keeping the boaters

interested throughout its route, the chamber contended. So, the chamber

surveyed boaters and businesses and residents along the route and came up

with the changes.

Barring further changes, the parade’s route and schedule will be

shortened beginning next year. The announcement left some understandably

disappointed.

A few grew so dismayed that they sent e-mails and letters to the

chamber and to the parade’s chair, Brett Hemphill. We can accept that.

But what we can’t, nor should, accept are threats.

Hemphill announced his resignation from the volunteer post last week

after receiving a threat on his business, Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets in

Costa Mesa. While he didn’t reveal exactly what the threat was, it was

serious enough to convince him to resign.

But such a threat, however serious, is despicable. What does such a

threat really accomplish? Did Hemphill change his mind regarding the

parade changes and convince the chamber to alter its course? No. The

threat only forced a good man to abandon his volunteer position as parade

chair.

Those who really consider the thought that went into the decision will

realize that Hemphill was but a part of it. The chamber’s 35-member

Commodores Club puts on the parade and makes the final decisions relating

to it. Whoever made Hemphill, who is one of the Commodores, out to be the

bad guy and issued a threat on his business is shameful.

Also, it is important to remember that having the boat parade chug

past homes in the harbor is a privilege, not a right. Indeed, the cost to

continue the parade at both its current route and its seven-day time span

is an expensive endeavor and the chamber itself doesn’t make any money

off the event.

So instead of making threats and grousing over the changes, we suggest

making this year’s parade -- its duration and route at its fullest -- the

best ever. Attend each of the seven nights and wave those American flags

proudly, but don’t cast any hurtful stones. You may knock a good man down

and who wins in that?