MAILBAG:

One thing we can say about Mayor Rosansky’s public statements is that they show consistency.

Mayor Rosansky consistently demonstrates that he just “doesn’t get it.”

Those who criticize the lack of action and mishandling of the group-home problem have not been “emboldened” into action by the lack of response to criticism from Mayor Rosansky and others.

They were “frustrated” into action as a result of the failure of city officials to deal with this problem until it got so far out of hand that residents demanded solutions. By that time, West Newport and the Balboa Peninsula were overrun with in excess of 100 such facilities.

Any public official knows that “appearance of conflict” is as important to deal with candidly and promptly as an “actual conflict.”

Mr. Rush may be completely in error in his suspicions, concerns, or even allegations.

It is the handling of this entire fiasco by city officials, however, that led to those suspicions or beliefs. Their failure to respond to these questions promptly, candidly and fully will only lead to further belief on the part of many that something is amiss.

Mayor Rosansky needs to recognize that this is not a case of the City Council “letting them push us around.” It is that mentality that has contributed to this problem in the first place.

Mayor Rosansky and other city officials need to recognize that this environment was created by a failure on the part of city officials to deal with this group-home problem when it first surfaced. Taking an adversarial position (as Mayor Rosansky has done more than once in this area) with the residents who are burdened with the impact of these group homes is not the solution. It also reflects a failure to remember whom city officials and employees exist to serve (which is not the group-home entrepreneurs).

Mayor Rosansky and any other city official who is asked to make disclosures in connection with this should do so promptly and fully. If Mr. Rush’s suspicions or concerns are in error, then it is the responsibility of city officials to make that clear and to do so willingly and without complaining.

STEVEN A. BRIGGS

Newport Beach

Resigned advisor was great ally to residents

What a crying shame that Mr. Rush has harassed former City Attorney Bob Burnham beyond the point of endurance, resulting in his resignation as a consultant to the city on airport issues. Let’s look at what the City of Newport Beach has lost because of Mr. Rush.

Bob Burnham had 25 years of experience dealing with airport issues and negotiating the best possible deal for our residents. At $125 per hour, he was giving us quite a bargain for continued access to a wealth of institutional memory that has now evaporated.

Mr. Rush has found the smallest of bones and is gnawing it to death, impugning the impeccable reputation of a man who actually supported regulation of Mr. Rush’s pet peeve of drug rehab houses on the peninsula when he was city attorney. I can only hope Mr. Rush enjoys wearing ear plugs, since we have lost our best advocate to fight airport expansion.

SUSAN SKINNER CAUSTIN

Newport Beach

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