NOTABLE QUOTABLES

“It was one of those things that was a really difficult decision for a lot of us business owners. We wanted to support our leaders, to be able to voice our opinions in a way that it didn’t affect businesses?. Everybody decided that they wanted to close, and me being one of the leaders of the group, I felt obligated to support the cause.”

? Ivan Calderon, owner of Taco Mesa, on Monday’s immigration boycott

“Areas like Southern California are especially hard hit because the region relies so heavily on driving as a method to transport goods. Every sector of the economy is affected by the price of gas.”

? Roger Stein, a Newport Beach financial analyst and economist, on the rising price of gas

“I was all-state in basketball, so I thought I was a pretty good player. But after playing football my senior year, it seemed like a guy my size could do better in football.”

? Kevin McMahan, who was the last pick in the NFL draft, earning his place as this year’s Mr. Irrelevant

“I called around to the schools, and the kids were in school. There was more absenteeism, but it was not appreciable.”

? Bob Metz, Newport-Mesa’s assistant superintendent of secondary education, on whether students skipped school for Monday’s immigration boycott

“It’s not going to hurt the city economically any more than it hurts me. The point was to send a message.”

? Tim Lewis, who owns Red E Rentals on Harbor Boulevard, on his decision to no longer do business with the city to protest its decisions to close the job center and have police enforce immigration laws

“When you do these types of drills you not only get to know one another, you get to know one another’s capability.”

? Jim Ellis, Costa Mesa Fire chief, on a mock drill performed last week.dpt-quotables07TextAI1QMN3R