Mailbag: Councilman’s statements on lobbying are a contradiction

My friend Dave Ellis, a political consultant, forwarded me City Councilman Keith Curry’s political manifesto to “reform” politics in Newport Beach (“Commentary: Newport Beach needs political reform,” Feb. 10) Needless to say, I was amused.

I am the retired treasurer-tax collector of San Bernardino County. I was elected three times with Dave’s guidance. I also have known Curry for 20 years as a principal with Public Finance Management (PFM), a municipal government consulting firm.

In my career as an elected official, I managed the county treasury investment pool, which consisted of $5 billion in public funds from schools, cities and special districts. I also sat on the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, managing an additional $5 to $6 billion in retiree funds.

About 20 years ago, Dave asked me to take a meeting with his client, PFM, and their local representative, Keith Curry. Keith presented me information on their investment and consulting services, which were very applicable to our treasury investment pool.

This initial meeting opened the door for PFM and Curry to enter a competitive requests for proposals (RFP) with three other firms, which PFM won. The original contract was $200,000 per year, providing investment and management services to our county. Further, they also did additional work with other agencies within the county.

Curry’s company has made over $3 million in fees since that original introduction nearly 20 years ago. Keith’s proposal surprises me, as this was his career — lobbying government agencies. Curry should be grinning all the way to the bank instead of throwing stones from his glass house.

Dick Larsen

Redlands

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Do not allow residential tower

A 26-story condo tower is proposed at the site of the Orange County Museum of Art. How do we stop these developers? Are you kidding me? Another high rise to take away our precious views.

We first bought in SeaView, thought our views were wonderful, and then the building began. We moved higher, to Spyglass, and still the building went on, and now another one is proposed.

This one may well hide Palos Verdes from our viewline. Our property values are on the rise, but without views those values will decline. We do not need a 26-story building bringing in more traffic in an already congested area.

In the next several months, the city will complete an environmental impact report to address the project’s potential effects on the surrounding area. An environmental checklist indicates the development could significantly affect views, air quality, noise and traffic.

What about the effect upon homeowners who have paid dearly for these views?

E. Broedlow

Newport Beach