Sounding Board -- Charles Rollins

This is in reply to a letter sent in regarding no fireworks this year

at Newport Dunes Resort (Readers Respond, June 27).

In rebuttal to the resident who unfairly accused the Dunes of

canceling this year’s fireworks show as a response to the denial of their

expansion request, check the calendar. There has been a fireworks display

since the City Council voted down expansion plans and also since the

passing of Greenlight.

Is that resident going to bad-mouth the Lions Club for not hosting the

annual Fish Fry, too?

Besides repeating stories like other readers have about how much we

will all miss the annual fireworks show, our community should also mourn

the departure of the Evans family (if the sale goes through) and their

good will and charitable contributions to our community. I personally

have attended numerous not-for-profit, charitable fund-raisers at the

Dunes Resort, which the Evans family donated facilities and provided

organizations catering and services at reduced or break even levels (Sea

Scouts, Pet Fashion Show, Cattle Barrons Ball, FISH, etc.).

Many people take it for granted that they could call the Dunes Resort

at the last minute, hoping they would save an event by giving any

organization a great deal and a great event. They probably even tolerated

a fair number of lawsuits filed by persons attending those events without

making a big thing about it. Instead of bad-mouthing the Evans family, it

should be our turn to throw them a party thanking them for years of

community service.

We will all miss the fireworks display, but next year, people should

take things into their own hands. Some towns put out contribution buckets

at different locations around the area to gather money to fund the town

fireworks display. I would gladly donate to such a cause and probably

enjoy the display even more knowing that was my 20 bucks up there in red,

white and blue sparks.

First find the location and then the money will come.

If we wait for our city “leaders” to come up with an answer, then

maybe in a couple of years, we can gather on the steps of Newport Beach

City Hall and watch the mayor light the annual “sparkler” for a memorable

20-second display. Or, go to a friend’s house in Costa Mesa where one can

have a fireworks display right in the front yard.

This is simply another sorry episode of “Good Times” being ruined by

an

overly litigious society. I hope those responsible for this

cancellation and other events like the “Fish Fry ankle lady” have a hard

time sleeping at night.

They are lining their pockets at the cost of our future generations’

fond memories. Thanks for the good will and fun times, Evans Hotels, and

let’s hope the next Newport Dunes Resort operator has their sense of

community obligation.

* CHARLES ROLLINS lives in Santa Ana Heights.