The influence of the sphere

Ah, that sought-after zip code. Those fine city services. The

plain ol’ cache of living in Newport Beach (not to mention the bump

in home value).

About 1,250 people who now can only claim Orange County residency

will be able to up that ante come July 1. After long years of trying

to improve upon their already enviable positions, annexation by the

city is set for those living in East Santa Ana Heights, Bay Knolls

and the Emerson area.

Not surprisingly, only 40 people protested the engulfment by

Newport. Along with the intangibles, annexation should mean quicker

services from police and fire, though residents there won’t be

enjoying Newport’s notoriously fine trash pickup.

Also not surprisingly, neighbors of the soon-to-be Newporters who

are destined to become Costa Mesans are not so thrilled with

potentially packing their county status away.

Folks at the Santa Ana Country Club and people in a tract of homes

and businesses south of Mesa Drive and in West Santa Ana Heights are

still battling to steer clear of Costa Mesa’s sphere of influence.

Their future remains under review.

Perhaps it would satisfy some if Costa Mesa were annexed by

Newport Beach first?