Two points on Nichols

I have served as an arbitrator for 12 years. As an arbitrator, one

listens to both sides of a problem and must come to a decision

regardless of the feelings of the participants. The hearing may last

a few days or more than a week. There may be lawyers representing the

parties. Many hours and thousands of words are thrown out by both

sides. Yet one must sift through all this and find the key points and

make a decision.

So far as Newport Beach Councilman Dick Nichols is concerned, only

two things stand out:

1. A line from the Daily Pilot editorial (“It’s time for Dick

Nichols to go,” June 22): “Just before last fall’s election, Nichols,

then a candidate, was criticized by at least one local business

leader for pointing out in a televised council meeting that a

motorist involved in a traffic altercation was a ‘Mexican.’”

2. A quote from a letter in the June 22 “Readers Respond”: “For

who now in his constituency -- other than a few cranks like himself

-- or in the council chambers would take him seriously? Who would

listen to his proposals or consider his opinions? With whom could he

arrange political alliances and conduct the people’s business?

How will you decide?

LOU VON DYL

Newport Beach