We don’t belong to Costa Mesa

Regarding the ongoing annexation war, I would like to congratulate the Newport Beach City Council for taking a stand to move forward with the application to annex the remaining portion of unincorporated Santa Ana Heights.

Costa Mesa City Council members seem to think that we belong to them and that the residents and Newport Beach should back off, fall into submission and blindly accept annexation into Costa Mesa.

First, the territory in question does not belong to Costa Mesa; it belongs to land owners and residents, and we are under the jurisdiction of the county.

Second, the majority of the residents has a voice and a right to make the choice as to which city is best suited to represent their best interests. Newport Beach has consistently been an active part of our community for more than six years while Costa Mesa avoided us and all pertinent issues effecting our community.

And third, the residents have remained unified for years in their desire to be annexed into Newport Beach. Costa Mesa can continue to avoid and stall the issue but the reality remains that they have proven themselves to be unworthy and dysfunctional in issues critical to our community and in maintaining their own city. It is the Costa Mesa City Council that needs to open its eyes and back off while Newport Beach proceeds with closing the final chapter of Santa Ana Height’s territory dispute.

RUSSELL NIEWIAROWSKI

Santa Ana Heights