Another year dawns

Welcome to 2004.

First, feel free to catch your breath. 2003 went by remarkably

quickly, much as 2002, 2001 and 2000 all did. It just does not seem

that long ago that everyone was worried about the Millennium Bug and

Y2K.

Today, our worries are arguably much more serious. Our world, our

country and our hometown are all quite different than they were back

when computers threatened to crash when it was suddenly “1900” again.

Even now, the country is on “orange,” or high, alert for terrorist

attacks, an unthinkable state of being just two years ago. In such an

environment, it is a sad truth that we all must remain vigilant and

careful as we go about our daily lives. We still live in a country

with a remarkable amount of freedom, including the freedom from

worry. But there is more worry in our lives today than ever before.

California is also still in a worrisome state, one that deeply

affects our city. Budgets are tight all over: programs are being cut

and class sizes increased. In this challenging world, the role of our

elected officials has become more important. The decisions they make

can spell the difference between a City Hall that can serve its

residents well and one that can barely make ends meet.

With 2004 an election year, the decisions voters make have rarely

been more vital. (In Costa Mesa, the election is already shaping up

as a crowded one and one that could significantly alter the way the

city tackles problems of development and the Westside.) Equally vital

is that those running for City Council seats do so with proper

intentions and with squeaky clean ethics and strategies. Voters

should demand no less.

The election is only one of the important moments to come in 2004.

Water-quality concerns and the safety of our beaches, harbor and the

Back Bay will be debated. Worries about how the city is developing --

too fast, too big, in the wrong direction -- will continue. Newport

Beach could see its structure altered if county officials approve a

proposal for the city to take on new responsibilities, the biggest

being John Wayne Airport. Costa Mesa still faces a deteriorating

Westside and other planning problems.

But those are the more pessimistic thoughts heading into the new

year. And in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, there is no need for

excess gloominess. Much good will come with 2004. Neighbors will help

neighbors. Students will excel. Our youth and high school sports

teams will capture tournaments and titles. There will be untold

numbers of good actions, good moments and good results.

And 12 months from now, we will look back, amazed and what has

passed and how quickly it has gone.