READERS RESPOND

AT ISSUE: Who should the Newport Beach City Council appoint to fill the seat left vacant by John Heffernan?As a resident of John Heffernan’s Newport Beach City Council district, I think the City Council should appoint Dolores Otting to his seat. Otting has gone before the voters twice before and has convinced many to support her, as evidenced by her strong showing against Heffernan in 2004.

Otting has received more public support in an actual election than any of the other candidates, and more than the two appointed council members, Ed Selich and Leslie Daigle, who have yet to face the voters. If the expressed will of the voters of Newport Beach means anything to this City Council, it will appoint Otting to the vacant seat.

ROMAN DARMER

Newport Beach

I’m writing to give my complete support to Dolores Otting. She is one of the most dedicated residents of our city, with a knowledge of our town that the City Council combined, as of now, might be lacking. She would do a great job, and the city would be lucky to have her serve.

RENE POWERS

Newport Beach

As the president of Harbor Ridge Homeowners Assn., I’d like to encourage the Newport Beach City Council to appoint Keith Curry to the 7th District council seat.

In my opinion, Curry is an excellent candidate and would certainly serve as a tremendous asset to the City Council. In the time that I’ve known Curry, he has consistently proven to be knowledgeable about civic affairs, and in particular, public finance.

As you know, Harbor Ridge is one of the largest communities within the 7th District, and it is my pleasure to strongly recommend and endorse his appointment.

JOHN GATES

Newport Beach

Just a note supporting the consideration of Keith Curry for Newport Beach City Council: Curry has been an outstanding volunteer leader among Mariner’s Church men’s ministry over the last several years.

ED CONTI

Newport Beach

The Newport Beach City Council should appoint Keith Curry to replace John Heffernan.

ALAN M. PETERSON JR.

Newport Beach

I have known Scott Peotter more than 20 years, and it would be a great coup to any city to have him on their team. He is a man of integrity, character and intellect with experience in architecture, construction, land use, development and city government matters that would make for an outstanding council member.

JOHN GASH

Laguna Niguel

Nancy Jones and I met a year ago when she joined the city’s centennial heritage subcommittee and promptly volunteered for the role of vice president. I found about everyone in town knew Jones and her family.

Her roots run deep in Newport Beach. Her grandfather, Sam Meyer, settled here in 1921, working 50 years as a newspaperman -- publishing the Newport News and Balboa News Press -- was president of the Harbor Chamber of Commerce and was author of “Fifty Golden Years: The Story of Newport Beach.”

Like her grandfather, Jones steps up when needed. The Newport Beach Library put out a call for volunteers, and the next thing Jones is president of the Friends of the Library, then moving on to become a library trustee. It seems like everything she joins she makes things happen.

In this short time on the centennial heritage committee, she has generously assisted in great amounts of research, attended all the meetings plus extras and keeps saying, “This is so much fun working with the city!”

When John Heffernan resigned, Jones excitedly called the next morning informing me she was going to apply for his replacement. She began going down a long list. Living in Newport Coast, she would be able to reach out, getting her neighbors more involved in the city. She knows well about the commitment. She has the time to give. She admits she needs to become more familiar with many of the issues but will guarantee to thoroughly research until she does.

Nancy Jones is an enthusiastic person, ready to give her all to the city of Newport Beach!

GAY WASSALL-KELLY

Balboa Peninsula

Please put Keith Curry on the Newport Beach City Council.

MITCH VANCE

Newport Beach

Please appoint Keith Curry to replace John Heffernan.

TOM and PATTI RUFFOLO

Newport Beach