FAIR GAME:Cleanup is news to me

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a somewhat innocent column denouncing dirty politics. OK, maybe it wasn’t so innocent, but what’s the fun in that. Some, in fact, might say that it was too harsh and to the point.

Wherever you stand, I have to tell you that what has followed since the column printed has been entertaining to say the least.

Early last week I was questioned regarding a rumor that I was supposedly part of a group heading up a protest rally planned in front of Newport Beach City Hall.

It was a surprise to me.

About the only thing I’ve been known to protest in the past is the bad call against the team I’m rooting for at a sporting event or when a glass of Jack Daniels is inadvertently ruined by adding some mix to it other than ice.

Later last week I received a telephone call from our reporter Alicia Robinson questioning me with the same news.

Then, when Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau called and said we needed to get together soon for lunch, I knew there was a problem taking root.

In both cases, I again denied any such knowledge or involvement.

Alicia and Homer both forwarded to me what appeared to be the rough drafts of an apparent press release titled “Citizens Against Dirty Politics Rallies to Clean Up Newport!”

So I gave it a casual glance.

The release talked about a date for a “Soap Rally” in front of City Hall.

It went on to say that residents would be encouraged to bring their family, friends and neighbors, plus one or more bars of soap to show their support.

One or more bars of soap? What’s that all about?

My first thought was maybe this didn’t have anything to do at all with dirty politics. After all, the group claims to want to “clean up Newport.”

Perhaps it was a clandestine group organizing to scrub the outside of City Hall “with soap” in hopes that that would suffice and forego the need to build a new one. If that’s the case, promise me you won’t scrub too hard. The poor place might just fall over.

Poor Bill Ficker, I thought. All that work for nothing.

But wait.

There it was leading off the second paragraph in the release. My name and my title. That’s right, “Tom Johnson, Publisher of the Daily Pilot.”

It was listed first among a group of prominent activists from around town.

Me, an activist? Oh, gosh (“gosh” being a word I use so as to not receive any complaint letters), what have I done to deserve this?

We supposedly were going to be asking “the Newport Beach City Council, each of the City Council candidates and their campaign managers to pledge their support to Clean Politics by signing a campaign Code of Ethics.”

It went on to say “Citizens Against Dirty Politics was formed by a group of residents tired of false statements, innuendo and personal attacks.”

I don’t know about you, by when I see the words “false statements” and “innuendo” in a release using my name, unauthorized, I find that somewhat contradictory.

Talk about dirty politics!

People, we only have a few more weeks.

We have many fine candidates running whose resumes speak volumes for them.

We at the Daily Pilot, too, have spoken with our endorsements after meeting with each of the candidates.

Soon, preferably before the election, we too will be giving our opinion on Measure V and Measure X.

In the meantime, can’t we all just get along?