Editorial

Few would dispute the legend that is the Balboa Bay Club.

The exclusive waterfront club has been an integral piece of the

mystique and flavor of Newport Beach for much of the past century,

providing a playground for such rich and famous people as John Wayne,

Dorothy Lamour, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Joey Bishop and Barry

Goldwater.

Few would also dispute that the Bay Club largely profits from its

prime spot on the largest recreational and pleasure harbor in the

country.

So it is especially disappointing to see the good name of this Newport

institution being called into question with some $60,000 in fines levied

on it for contributing to the pollution levels in the harbor, the very

same harbor that is so crucial to its livelihood.

The pollution, in the form of sulfide, apparently found its way into

the harbor through ground water pumped into it during the construction

activity taking place at the club.

Whether or not the Bay Club will contest the fines is unknown, since

officials there have refused to comment on the incident or provide an

explanation as to how the pollution occurred, something surely the public

and those private individuals who have been loyal patrons of this

facility deserve to hear.

Club officials don’t need to be reminded that they operate one of the

largest private boat slips on the coast and a near private beach for

members to enjoy, all the while sitting on public lands owned by the

city.

The city leases the Bay Club these precious tidelands for a little

more than $1 million annually. It has got to be the best deal in town.

And that deal is going to get even better with the $50-million plus

expansion underway that will result in a new hotel and other facilities

and more public access.

All the more reason for the Bay Club to be on its guard to keep the

waters that surround the facility as clean as possible for boaters and

swimmers.

So we urge the Bay Club officials to be better neighbors and better

communicators, but most of all we urge them to make sure they are beyond

question when it comes to protecting the waters of Newport Harbor from

further pollution.