“He protected diversity, which is at...

“He protected diversity, which is at the heart of democracy. He

taught tolerance and forgiveness.”

-- Tod Ridgeway, Newport Beach’s mayor, on President Abraham

Lincoln while speaking to Newport Elementary students at the school’s

second annual “Proud to be an American Day” event on Monday

“I’m lucky to have had the chance to fight for this country. There

are many people who would envy us and try to destroy our way of life.

I’m passing the baton so you will all go faster, farther and be more

successful than I.”

-- Walker “Bud” Mahurin, a World War II and Korean War veteran,

while speaking to the Newport Elementary students at the same event

“This shows that people now want to understand what the road to

Huntington Beach could do for that community over there. I think it

is a major victory to try to get some sanity in that whole situation

over there.”

-- Bob Graham, a proponent of a 19th Street bridge that would

extend from Costa Mesa to Huntington, on the Community Redevelopment

Action Committee’s decision to ask the Costa Mesa City Council to

fund studies on the bridge’s feasibility

“We are all created by one God. We are so blessed to be in this

country and immigrants especially appreciate it very much.”

-- Flory Van Beek, a longtime member of Temple Isaiah, on the

common ground that Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregants share

“I love working for the city of Newport Beach, and this council

has always treated me well. I appreciate the way they continue to

deal with me and show their appreciation.”

-- Homer Bludau, Newport Beach’s city manager, on his $8,500

salary raise Tuesday to $178,500 annually