editorial

There is an old saying that some people object, just to be objecting.

Sadly, from our vantage point, that’s exactly what appears to be

happening in the whole debate over the annexation of Newport Coast.

Newport Coast resident Phil Greer has gathered signatures of several

hundred of his compatriots in that community in the hopes of putting a

halt, for now, to the annexation efforts being pursued by the city of

Newport Beach.

His hope is to put the issue to a vote, to stage a costly and unneeded

citywide election.

But for what reason?

Greer, in his own words, doesn’t necessarily oppose the whole idea of

becoming part of Newport Beach, he just doesn’t like the process.

Wait a minute, here. What could possibly be wrong with the process?

Pardon us a minute, while we object.

The process we are talking about has encompassed decades of

painstaking planning and negotiations that will ultimately provide the

Newport Coast community with same top-notch fire, police, trash

collection, park maintenance and other high-level city services now being

enjoyed by Newport Beach residents.

The cost to Newport Coast will merely be to adopt Newport Beach at its

hometown and what city officials get is the same percentage of property

tax money that is collected from residents here now.

Newport Coast residents will get representative government in the form

of a responsive city official, rather than a county supervisor who has

many, many other issues to debate and many other constituents to please.

Fortunately, Greer fell short of getting enough valid signatures (he

needed 25% of Newport Coast’s 3,407 registered voters) to stop the

process.

Still, he is hoping to get a judge to hear him out and get the issue

on the ballot anyway.

We hope he is unsuccessful again.

We believe the process has been a fair and legal one and we’re

confident that any judge will also see that. We urge Greer and others who

may want to stop the process to accept that and let the annexation wheels

spin on.

There are really no more reasons to object.