Community Commentary -- Gerald Bradley

It was indeed very gracious for former Mayor Clarence Turner to

commend the supporters of Measure S after the victory (“Cost per vote was

a Greenlight special,” Nov. 10).

But his comments subsequent to illustrate what the leadership in this

community really think about the residents.

Turner stated that Measure S was primarily supported by “retirees ...

more interested in themselves.”

Excuse me? I’m only 45. I was born right here in Newport Beach, when

there were still fishing fleets, boat yards and even a railroad yard on

the peninsula.

Newport was a great place to be a kid, and a place where wealthy and

modest alike enjoyed the surroundings and each other.

This mix in Newport was its character. We had fun, and nobody really

cared what you drove. But I’m afraid that everything that made Newport

what it was is mostly gone now. The fun factor has been legislated out,

and the city appears to be searching for an identity. Leadership pays lip

service to alleviating traffic congestion, but then approves cluttered,

high-density housing in the Cannery Village.

They entertain thoughts of a peninsula hotel, a crushing project at

the Dunes and a host of other developer-generated projects. They claim it

increases property values and the quality of life.

The quality of life in Newport was never measured by property values

or fancy waterfront dining. We want to move about freely, enjoying our

city and all it still has to offer.

When I walk to the end of my street to gaze out onto the ocean, I

don’t want to catch a glimpse of it between high-rises and hotels. If I

wanted that, I’d move to Marina Del Rey. The traffic congestion we have

now is bordering on the intolerable.

Just how is more major development going to help that? What do our

city leaders really want and who are they beholden to? Why is there this

thirst for more, more, more? Does Newport not measure up somehow?

Does Turner and his friends not realize that most of us like Newport

just the way it is, thank you? I guess he’s right -- we’re thinking of

ourselves.

After all, we bought here, we live here. How stupid of us to think we

should actually have a say over issues that concern our quality of life.

* GERALD BRADLEY is a Newport Beach resident.