MAILBAG:Certain views shouldn’t be on front page

Holding the title of publisher certainly enables Tom Johnson to place his views regarding the ongoing city hall debate on the front page of the Pilot (“Don’t fake hearing opposing views,” Aug. 10), even if “publisher” is somewhat misleading in the case of a community newspaper owned by a mega newspaper.

It does not however, mean his views are newsworthy or belong on the front page.

The more thoughtful commentary on this unseemly exchange of useless accusations offered by Doug Templin was better suited for the front page.

Mr. Johnson’s comments, if warranting publication at all, belonged back in the Forum section.

Mr. Johnson is correct that there is really nothing new about council members in this community exchanging their views in the public eye, courtesy of the Daily Pilot, even when their comments are immature or unnecessarily personal (Mr. Rosansky has just been at it longer than his peers — remember “residents shouting from the audience” in the group home debate?

The real question is why the citizens of Newport Beach would or should entrust this city hall decision to a group of people who, after spending $850,000 for consulting advice, apparently cannot even agree on what they have been told as a result of that expenditure.

The Pilot would better serve the community by declining to publish (or to join in) these public exchanges that are only a step above a playground squabble and accomplish nothing to resolve a costly issue.

STEVEN E. BRIGGS

Newport Beach

 Unscrupulous developer not welcome

My friends and I are concerned.

We realize Lennar Corporation has been attempting, for several years, to convert the 4.25 acres that is the Marriott Tennis Club, in Newport Beach, into luxury condominiums.

Last year we learned the California Coastal Commission denied the proposal, approved by the Newport Beach City Council, and presented 21 separate objections as to why the land in question should remain a visitor recreation facility.

We were relieved the Coastal Commission had the integrity and foresight to take this stand.

Just recently we learned the Newport Beach City Council “voted July 24 to spend $5 million from Lennar Homes” for designated parks (thus entering into the ongoing debate about where to place our city hall).

Then we read, in a Coastal Commission report, that at a July 10 meeting, the Coastal Commission, upon receiving a $5 million “mitigation fee” for Crystal Cove State Park from Lennar Homes, would reverse its decision and grant a permit that will allow medium density housing or 79 condos to be built on 4.25 acres of land that is the Marriott Tennis Club.

By our calculation, that is $10 million, plus interest (do Lennar’s stockholders know?) for the Newport Beach City Council/Coastal Commission’s acquiescence in the destruction of a beautiful recreational facility that has served the community for more than 30 years. Our question is why is our unique, elegant community of Newport Beach “getting in bed” with a developer who is in deep financial trouble, has numerous law suits, a dubious reputation, a glut of inventory and all in a down housing market?

Shouldn’t we have higher standards? Facing unfavorable market conditions throughout the country, Lennar apparently believes it can still count on easy profits in Newport Beach!

Like my friends and I, all the residents of Newport Beach should be very concerned.

NANCY ALLARI

Corona del Mar

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