Community Commentary -- J. Donald Turner

I read with interest two articles regarding the purposed construction

of the new Mormon temple in Newport Beach (“Timing of temple plan

criticized,” Jan. 18, and “Steeple stand-in to hang around longer,” Jan.

19). I was dismayed to see comments that accused the local temple

planners of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of being

“disingenuous” and referring to the temple design as “intrusionary

symbolism.”

I believe nothing could be further from the truth. In both instances,

the quotes emanated from the president of the Bonita Canyon Homeowners

Assn. I have served as president of the Spyglass Ridge Community Assn. in

Corona del Mar for the past 10 years. I know that while an association

president may be outspoken, it is a far reach to assume he reflects the

sentiments of any particular number of his constituent homeowners.

Case in point: As part of the church’s voluntary outreach effort to

meet with a half-dozen homeowner groups in the area, the entire Bonita

Canyon Homeowners Assn. membership was invited to a meeting at the

church’s chapel adjacent to the purposed temple site. I attended that

meeting on Dec. 5. Less than 10% of the invited homeowners attended and

only a handful voiced comments.

In an attempt to be a good neighbor, church planners have listened to

residents’ concerns and made modifications in building color and

lighting. When the church announced the placement of a crane to depict

the height of the steeple for a three-day period the last week in

January, it was told that was too short of a period without adequate time

to notice concerned neighbors. So, the church extended the crane

placement period to one week. Then it rushed the next day to mail out

more than 2,000 notices of such to homeowners in six associations at its

own expense. About 30 church volunteers contributed 100 man-hours to complete the project.

I believe the church should be applauded for its efforts to be

forthright and cooperative. Instead, it has been, as the Pilot reported,

criticized. A small vocal contingent is bent on stirring up a ground

swell of opposition in order to subvert the temple project. Those

involved have generated petitions and attempted to incite antagonism from

an ever-increasing circle of residents, the vast majority of whom will be

little, if at all, affected by the Mormon temple. Such divisive

intolerance is not worthy of our community.

I have lived, raised a family and worked in Newport Beach for 34

years. During that time, our city has experienced remarkable growth. We

are a diverse city with a wonderful variety of architectural and

landscape design. When the Mormon temple is established as planned, with

spacious surrounding gardens, it will surely add to the beauty and

tranquillity of our community. I hope your readers will have the

opportunity to consider a balanced view of this issue.

* J. DONALD TURNER is a longtime Newport Beach resident.