Criticism over comment still hot

I abhor prejudice and discrimination of all types, but pondered why

Newport Beach Councilman Dick Nichols’ statement was so wrong. Was it

because he stereotyped a racial minority among a city of the affluent

white majority? Or maybe he was not politically correct in a city

that prides itself on diversity and progressivism.

I believe most people living outside Newport Beach consider the

latter to be more accurate of what was committed. In our point of

view, the city operates on a system of elitism, which resists

outsiders not on race, but of economic class; whereas race is only

significant when it is indicative of class. Although most of the

city’s youths do not harbor such ill sentiments as their parents,

they are nonetheless at the mercy of their elders who control the

economic and racial makeup of the city.

For that reason, it is hypocritical for these Newport Beach

residents to criticize their councilman, who is simply attempting to

protect their way of life. Making outsiders reluctant to enter the

city’s beaches and shopping areas, preventing affordable housing in

the area, and maintaining the homogenous populace of the rich has

always been at the top of Newport Beach’s agenda. Let us agree that

this is only a public relations mistake, and not some greater sin of

revealing how Newport Beach was never the warm and welcoming place it

thought it was.

JENNY VO

Costa Mesa

Maybe if the Daily Pilot had spent a little more time

investigating and asking Dick Nichols some tough questions before the

election, we wouldn’t have a city councilman who so enjoys the taste

of shoe leather. You don’t have to dig deep beneath the surface to

find the real Dick Nichols, but the puff pieces run in the Daily

Pilot on the candidates last year didn’t give us a very clear

picture.

The Daily Pilot is one of our few resources for information on

local candidates. I hope the next time election time comes around,

you’ll provide more facts and background before we go to the polls.

TERRY SENKO

Corona del Mar

“His ignorant, elitist comments are not representative of his

constituency.”

That is what Mayor Steve Bromberg said about Councilman Dick

Nichols’ comments.

The way it is suppose to be said is: “quality visitors” and

“quality residents”; if they are or if they aren’t, that for us to

decide. That’s our “quality” of being Newport Beach. It’s the Newport

way. Nichols didn’t get to learn the “Newbonics” of his correct

speaking constituents, maybe because he’s a “CoronaDelMartian.”

Therefore, all Nichols needs is a lesson of correctness before

entering the elite of the spoken English language. Maybe he should of

been a lawyer.

Just for the record, I found this “quality” phrase in an outline

from the Balboa Peninsula Planning Committee from 1999. I was toying

of sending the memo to the NAACP. Yikes. We would lose our whole

city.

Thanks to our “quality elected officials” for letting this elected

“Greenlight” person trip over his own shoelaces. Maybe it’s like

having class. You can’t just be classy or have class, you have to be

of class. So shine a little class, or mercy, and share with every

elected official what “not to say.”

This is politics at its best. While you’re taking a foe out,

you’re taking the voters along with you.

From a “quality citizen”? (I hope. Oh no. What if I’m not? Should

I move?) Is there a city for the “almost quality” or the

“un-quality?” Is this America? Oh that’s right, its Newport Beach.

Please stay focused, guys, this isn’t why we elected you. Punitive

punishing and pettiness are not emotions for great leaders.

Now get back to work.

RANDY SETON

Balboa Island