Newport’s holiday cheer

So what’s happening in Newport Beach today? Well, it is the Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk and Festival. Yes, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and I can’t imagine anywhere else you can have as much fun! They are having visits from Santa, high school bands, the firemen’s barbecue and opportunities to win a host of prizes.

What a glorious way to start the holiday season by saying “Merry Christmas” to all your friends!

Also, around town you’ll be seeing residents at the local shopping centers and grocery stores circulating petitions for two initiatives.

Greenlight is introducing Greenlight II, and will begin collecting signatures this weekend. When signing the Greenlight II petition, you are ensuring your right to vote to limit traffic and congestion. If you need further information, or would like to help, go to www.newportgreenlight.com.

Newporters for Responsible Government is circulating the other petition, which has been affectionately nicknamed the City Hall Initiative. When signing the Newporters’ petition, you are ensuring your right to vote yes or no before the city borrows money to finance the construction of large public improvements, such as the City Hall. If you need further information, or would like to help, go to www.nfrg.org.

When was the last time we had so much democracy in Newport Beach? Could this be another centennial moment?

Speaking of the centennial, time is running out! Remember, for a mere $25,000 donation you can give that special someone the ride of a lifetime on the city’s Rose Parade float -- and also get that much needed year-end tax deduction. For some of us that’s a lot of money, but for others in Newport Beach it’s pocket change, so call (949) 644-3002, and tell City Manager Homer Bludau that you want to make that donation.

Talking about a lot of money, it looks like the City Hall has taken a road less traveled. At the Nov. 22 meeting, the City Council decided to form two committees that will be open to the public.

What a novel approach, public participation.

There will be a site review committee consisting of two council members and seven to 10 residents. Although they are requesting residents who are knowledgeable about real estate, I am hoping they will include some of our world-renowned architects who can simply glance at a site and know what to do.

The second committee will be a facilities finance review committee, again with two council members and seven to 10 residents. They will look 15 years into the future and see what city facilities need to be rebuilt and how best to pay for them.

The city is advertising for these committees and accepting applications. The Dec. 13 meeting will determine the scope and duties of the committees. The Jan. 10 meeting is when the council is hoping to make the appointments. Stay tuned.

Unfortunately, you can’t tune into planning commission meetings via streaming video. Really, how many meetings can you leave your home for and still have a family, job and friends? As we approach the year 2006, isn’t it about time that we tune in and watch the planning commission on our computer? Many thanks to the planning commission: chairman Michael Toerge, and commissioners Jeffrey Cole, Barry Eaton, Robert Hawkins, Michael Henn, Earl McDaniel, and Larry Tucker; and their families.

A very special thank you to Nancy Gardner, co-chairwoman of the general plan advisory committee. She has been dedicating her time for years on the committee and is now attending the meetings of both the planning commission and the City Council. Nancy is there to help answer any and all questions they might have pertaining to the conclusions reached by the general plan advisory committee on the general plan update. She is an inspiration to all of us.

* DOLORES OTTING is a regular contributor to Sunday Forum and is a community activist.

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