Mailbag: Readers support candidate’s run for Newport Beach City Council

I am writing to you about my friend, Robyn Grant, who is running for a seat on the Newport Beach City Council.

I have known Robyn for the past 20 years or so, first as a fellow member on the City Arts Commission and more recently, as a dear and loyal friend. I have witnessed firsthand her ability to work with others as a team player on various committees and mutual projects. She exudes a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm with any endeavor she leads or pursues. Her personality and optimistic attitude help create a productive and supportive atmosphere for the causes she believes in.

As a fellow Trojan, I am proud of her achievements and especially her intellect and academic background that will certainly be an asset on our City Council. It is without hesitation that I support and recommend Robyn Grant for a successful bid to help lead Newport Beach.

Arlene Cartozian
Newport Beach

Prior to COVID-19, my partner and I braved our first trip to the Costa Mesa Bridge Club. It was bit intimidating as the club was known for having a wealth of accomplished players. The only person I recognized and who recognized me was Robyn Grant. We had never spoken but were clearly opponents on a Newport Beach political issue. This was not an auspicious beginning. In the course of the game, my partner and I made our way around the room to Robyn and her partner’s table. Whatever I had been concerned about disappeared.

Robyn was welcoming, gracious and a very fine bridge player. Besides upping my game, Robyn helped me understand her position and listened to mine. We discovered more common ground that I would have thought possible. Robyn listens, simple but powerful. Although Robyn will incorporate the priorities of others, her core principles will govern her final decisions. She will do what she believes is best for the people of Newport Beach.

The club closed due to the pandemic, but I have followed Robyn’s efforts with Speak Up Newport, the animal shelter and Leadership Tomorrow. I’ve observed her commitment to small business, our libraries, the Arts Commission and numerous other activities around the city. Robyn knows Newport from the harbor to the shelters. It’s her home and her passion.

That is the person I want to help govern our city. Not someone who always agrees with me, not someone who is beholden to specific person or group but Robyn Grant, who is her own remarkable person. What I know for certain is that Robyn will always bring a smile, an abundance of common sense, keen intelligence and fierce determination to the table.

Sharon Ray
Newport Heights

Vote ‘no’ on big change proposed in N.B.

As I was hammering my “No on B, Stop the Power Grab” sign into my frontyard, I reflected on how preposterous a proposal it is. The effort to establish a mayoral government structure in Newport Beach and establish a more democratic government will do just the opposite.

We are not a large cosmopolitan city like San Francisco or Los Angeles. Our population is considerably less than the eight other cities in Orange County with an “elected mayor” form of government (with the exception of Stanton).

At the City Council meeting where “Proposal B” was adopted by a vote of 4-3, speakers lined up to comment on both sides of the issue. It seemed like there was an equal amount of speakers and letters posted on the city website regarding the issue.

However, unbeknown to me and most likely many others in the city, people who do not live in Newport Beach can both speak to issues at council meetings and post letters on the city website. The city where they live is not necessarily noted in either case.

That might explain some of the repetitive and very short verbal as well as written responses given by supporters of electing a mayor.

Most long-term residents who have been involved in Newport government are opposed to this major change in structure. Why? Because the proposal will make the government less democratic. The mayor would have increased power, the city manager would have much less, as would the City Council members, who would be reduced by one in number. They would not be elected directly by their constituents to balance the increased power of the mayor.

Instead of making this change that would render our city government less democratic by the obvious “power grab,” let’s make Newport Beach more democratic by electing new council members who are independent, not indebted to developers, do not vote as blocks and really do represent the wishes of their constituents.

Lynn Lorenz
Newport Beach

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