Editorial

We have never hid our belief that the Greenlight measure passed in

November 2000 would effectively rob the residents of Newport Beach of

representative government.

At the same time, we have great respect for Greenlight leaders, and,

in fact, believe many of their causes and arguments hold a lot of merit

and have indeed reinvigorated the electorate.

Still, we worry. We worry that planning and development of the city

done at the ballot box is in effect saying that city government is

inconsequential.

But Tod Ridgeway, apparently, is going to use his newly crowned

mayoral bully pulpit to make the case otherwise.

Ridgeway threw down the gauntlet last week in an annual State of the

City address that criticized the forces of Greenlight for handcuffing the

city and threatening to turn it into a stagnating population of elder

residents, concerned only with protecting their wealth and quality of

life at the expense of others.

“Wealthier residents, particularly those that derive their livelihoods

from extra-regional sources like the stock market or inheritance, are

increasingly hostile to future development,” he said. “Younger households

seeking to live and work in Newport Beach are forced out by economics.”

Tough words from the mayor of a town that even he admits is largely

populated by retirees and seniors. Although some of Ridgeway’s comments

have caused some, and even us, to wince a bit, we must admit he has a

point worth pursuing.

Greenlight leaders told us in November that among the many reasons

they objected to the Koll Center expansion was the claim that it would

create jobs.

The jobs, they say, would not be Newport Beach jobs, so why should

Newport Beach support that?

That’s Ridgeway’s point, whether you agree with his delivery or not.

He too worries his city will become an island or fortress that is

oblivious to the world around it, while at the same time rigidly opposing

any growth or development within it.

With Newport Beach leaders in the middle of crafting a new general

plan update and visioning process, we believe the time couldn’t be better

to listen to Rideway’s arguments. We can’t have an honest and thorough

debate without all the ideas on the table.

And, as Ridgeway points out, everyone needs to be invited to sit at

that very table to ensure Newport Beach has a vibrant and bright future.