“I like having a place to go...

“I like having a place to go that’s kind of eclectic, kind of hidden.

Places like this are just nice places to go.”

-- Mike Martinez, while lounging in a comfy chair at in a dark

corner of the Gypsy Den

“[South Coast Plaza] and the surrounding shopping areas are

significant destinations. Why are you considering bypassing them? Who

are you trying to please?”

-- Tom Smalley, general manager of the Wyndham Hotel on Avenue of

the Arts, criticizing the approved route for the CenterLine light

rail system, which does not stop at South Coast Plaza

“It’s not really the encroachment that’s the issue. The issue is a

few of them see the advantage to themselves financially of owning

this additional property, making their lots bigger and making them

more valuable.”

-- Bob Graham, Mesa Verde Homeowners Assn. member, on the prospect

of the city of Costa Mesa selling several slivers of land to property

owners whose backyards have encroached onto Fairview Park

“I’m confident our rangers have the ability and maturity to use

discretion in issuing citations. They should have the ability to back

up their education efforts with enforcement.”

-- Robert Walchli, Corona del Mar resident, on Newport Beach park

rangers’ new power to write tickets for parking, alcohol and other

violations

“We’re going to spend what we need to spend. It’s a modest amount.

We always figured if we spent half [as much as Cristi Cristich], we’d

win it.”

-- Chuck DeVore, 70th Assembly District candidate, who reported

raising $336,000 for his campaign in 2003, less than half the

$703,000 raised by Cristich, his opponent in the Republican primary