District 7 candidates round table

The Daily Pilot asked the two candidates for Newport Beach’s District 7 council seat three questions about city issues and their qualifications. Here are the questions and their answers.

1. Why should voters choose you?

2. How would you make the council more responsive to residents?

3. What type of development would you be most likely to approve as a member of the council?

Keith Curry:

1. I believe I have demonstrated responsiveness, effectiveness and leadership on the City Council. We have accomplished big things, like the veto power over runway expansion at John Wayne Airport, the Back Bay Science Center, protecting park land and the plan to remodel the Oasis Senior Center.

But is it the little problems that are big issues to residents, such as new traffic signals, youth athletic fields and nuisance abatements that make the job of council member so rewarding. As a financial advisor to governments and former Reagan administration official, I bring the experience to listen, build consensus and get things done.

Our challenge in the future is to maintain our strong fiscal condition, enhance our public safety services, meet our facility needs and protect the quality of life in our community.

I am proud that the Daily Pilot, the Chamber of Commerce, our firemen, police and lifeguards and eight former mayors have evaluated all the candidates and endorsed me for District 7.

2. You must listen to the people, of all views, on every issue. We listened to residents of Corona del Mar and Harbor View and preserved the Newport Center Park while advancing a Newport Center location for City Hall. We listened to both the park and the marina advocates and crafted a plan for Marina Park embraced by both We listened to residents concerned about the airport and achieved a veto over runway expansion. Council members must also be accessible. I am proud that citizens from all over the city, not just my district, call me to help them solve problems. Finally, we need to improve the tone of the debate and overcome the appeal of those who exploit discontent to advance gridlock.

3. As a built-out city, future development must be compatible with existing neighborhoods and contribute to the renewal of our community. Traffic impacts must be mitigated and quality of life protected. Smart growth will allow us to enhance property values for all residents while preserving the special ambience of our great city. The wrong decisions can lead to stagnation and decline such as we witness in nearby cities. We cannot allow this to happen here. The new Lexus dealership will generate tax revenues equal to approximately 5% of our fire department budget. This is how intelligent development allows us to enhance the quality of services to our community.

Dolores Otting:

1. The voters should vote for me because I am the best and most qualified person for the job. I am not a newcomer to the City Council; as a matter of fact, I have been attending and actively participating at council meetings for more than 12 years. Having attended hundreds of meetings gives me the confidence to know I have the history and the knowledge to do the best job for both the residents and the city. I have no aspiration for higher office and serve no special interests but the residents. My campaign slogan sums it up quite nicely: Newport Beach is a community, not a commodity! It’s time to put the residents at the top of the list with business and development.

2. I feel that my being on the council will be a very big first step in changing how the city operates and responds to the wishes of the residents. After spending over 12 years being the watchdog, I feel the residents have grown to know and trust me to do the right thing. I will work hard to televise more meetings from more committees, such as the Aviation; Planning Commission; Parks, Beaches & Recreation; and Harbor & Beaches, to name a few. I will reach out and include town hall meetings and community coffees. I will work to have open dialogue on the No. 1 issue — the airport!

3.The only development the council currently approves are projects requiring a General Plan Amendment, zoning change, or are appealed — the rest are approved by the Planning Commission. Recent projects approved by the Planning Commission and moving forward are Mariner’s Mile Gateway and Newport Bay Marina formerly South Coast Shipyard. Our Lady Queen of Angels, also approved by the Planning Commission, will be making its way to the City Council since it was appealed. Consequently, not much development truly ends up before the council, and if the voters approve Measure V, there will probably be a lot less since it will all have been already all approved and voted on.

Personally, I lean toward development that is low-density, low-intensity, compatible with the existing neighborhoods, and includes the necessary infrastructure (sound walls, roads, turn lanes) to ensure that in the case of an emergency we will still be able to get to Hoag Hospital.

Also projects such as the Lexus dealership are a win-win for our city. They are a beauty to look at, keep the charm of Newport Beach and bring in money.