Greenlight has all the character of a political party

The Daily Pilot editorial “Watching Greenlight” (Oct. 20) opened

up an interesting conversation. You say, “If Greenlight truly acts

like a political party, and does not stand to be controlled by a core

group of leaders, it will make Newport Beach a better city for all

who live and visit here.” But what is the criteria by which you might

judge its validity as a local “political party.” You often like to

point to Greenlight as a “small group” of people who for the most

part are entirely unaccountable to voters.

Well, let me assure you that if credibility of Greenlight hinges

on its being a local “political party” -- that is with broad support

-- that is exactly what it is. Greenlight is one more extension of a

broadly supported local platform that has existed for more than 30

years in Newport, starting with the “Freeway Fighters.”

The platform has stayed the same -- to retain the residential and

environmental qualities and heritage of Newport Beach. Each time an

action has been taken to carry out this platform, the name has

reflected the immediate cause. “Freeway Fighters” eliminated the

Pacific Coast Freeway. “Newport Residents United” lobbied for the

height ordinance around the Bay. “Friends of Newport Bay” saved the

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. SPON, Stop Polluting our

Newport, asked for the City Council to appoint a harbor quality

committee and wrote the traffic phasing ordinance.

When residents need to act politically, a political action

committee must be formed, and that is the case with Greenlight. Its

drafters are some of the people who’ve acted before to retain

residential and environmental values, but include new residents, as

well. Its members are the people who voted for the concept it

represents. There is no grand divide between the 63% of the voters

and their leaders. There couldn’t be a concept or initiative put to

the vote unless someone writes the first draft, prepares the final

draft, pays the attorneys, carries out the campaign and files the

reports. That is the “small group” without whom the great milestones

would never have gotten on the ballot and been adopted. In every

case, this “small group” or principals have been people giving

incredible hours of public service without compensation.

Greenlight, by its very nature, is not a special interest group

trying to take over the city. It gives the power to the voters who

have verified that there is indeed a broadly supported local

“political party” in favor of a platform which retains Newport’s

residential and environmental values. I’m very grateful for all the

people before and after me who have joined this local “political

party” in Newport Beach and worked to maintain the area’s uniqueness

and livability.

JEAN WATT

Harbor Island

* JEAN WATT is a former Newport Beach City Councilwoman.