Mailbag: Letter incorrectly insinuated a lack of transparency about clients

Letter incorrectly insinuated a lack of transparency about clients

Aside from a few insidious innuendoes and unsubstantiated insinuations, I have to agree almost whole-heartedly with the observations contained in Bob Rush’s April 10 correspondence (“Mailbag: Candidate advocated for rehabs,” April 8).

In fact, I told him as much in correspondence I sent to him on March 31, almost a week before the publication of his letter. I have attached a copy of that correspondence and anybody who wants to read it in its entirety is invited to contact me for a copy.

The fact that Mr. Rush was able to easily ascertain my representation of Newport Academy clearly proves that I do practice what I preach. In every document presented to the city, and in every appearance before the Planning Commission, I openly and publicly identified myself and my client. My previous correspondence regarding Councilman Keith Curry’s proposal simply stated that everybody doing business with the city should do the same.

If Mr. Rush had read my letter before writing his own, he would understand that, despite his insinuations, I do not represent unlicensed group homes. The treatment facilities that I represent are licensed, regulated facilities operating under the review and mandate of the state of California and its Department of Health Services. In fact, it is my clients and I who have been actively promoting legislation to restrict and, ultimately, eliminate unlicensed, unregulated sober living group homes in residential neighborhoods.

Furthermore, the Conditional Use Permit I obtained through the city of Newport Beach is for an academic, non-treatment, non-residential facility located in a commercial area of the city. It is not a sober living facility.

In closing, I will reiterate publicly what I said to Mr. Rush privately:

“I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss this issue and how we can work together to lessen the impact of treatment options on our neighborhoods. I honestly believe that we share a lot of common ground. I look forward to hearing from you.”

I am still waiting to hear from Mr. Rush.

Phil Greer

Newport Beach

The writer is a candidate for City Council.

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Looking forward to a restored theater

We were very pleased to read in the Daily Pilot that the city of Newport Beach has entered into an agreement to restore and reopen The Balboa Theater on the Peninsula.

This has been a project that has been such a very long time in coming.

We fully support the city’s unanimous decision to ensure the perpetuity of this property as a working historical theater. We personally spent many hours in the 1960s and ‘70s attending various commercial film productions and surf films at the then-Balboa.

There is every reason to believe that by following in the footsteps of the reconstruction of new Port Theater in CdM there will be every chance of success.

Wishing all, every effort to proceed without fail and move the process forward expeditiously.

Ron and Anna Winship

Corona del Mar