News: Council Member Nancy Gardner

city council district 6 v corona del mar & newport coast

Nancy Gardner

mayor pro tem v newport beach, california

newsletter: october 2011

LEAFBLOWERS
The gasoline-powered leaf-blower ban goes into effect November 11 in all residential areas except for those HOAs that have opted out. Will a sylvan silence descend on the city as of that date? Probably not since getting the word out is a challenge, but the city is doing its best with mailings and posting information on its web page which can be found at www.newportbeachca.gov/leafblowers including a flyer in English and Spanish which can be downloaded. The flyer is also available at www.cdmra.org. Scroll down to November to find it.

BANNING RANCH
When we were going through the General Plan process, one of our outreach sections was on Banning Ranch. After first establishing the location of Banning Ranch—many residents had no clue as to its existence—option one was presented: to find funds for purchase, and then clean it up and preserve it as open space. This was a very popular proposal until the second option was presented: allow development on part of Banning Ranch, and in return, the developer would give half the land for open space and pay for the restoration. Some stood steadfast for option one, some dithered between the two, and others changed their position, feeling the second deal was too good to pass up. That last sentiment is what we have gotten from potential funders. With many worthwhile properties to purchase and with less money to do so, they have suggested the development deal is the best path for the city. Personally, I’m in the ditherers’ camp. It would be terrific to see the area all retained as open space, but then I think of the potential $200 million price tag—or even $100 million—and what that money could do on the Gaviota Coast or some other area that is not a degraded oil field but still in a nearly natural state, and I wonder again whether the development deal isn’t the sensible way to go. Meanwhile, the EIR is out, and you have until November 8 if you wish to comment. As for the open space option, the city is committed to following up viable funding leads if any appear.

AT LEAST MAKE IT HARD FOR THEM
As everyone knows, the state is generously allowing the counties to take some prisoners off its hands absolutely gratis—the counties don’t have to pay a cent to get them! Since most county jails are full to bursting, this means the release of some who might not otherwise be released. Now while one would like to be optimistic and think that the salutary effect of confinement and then the pleasant surprise of early release would generate some sort of positive transformation, one must be realistic and realize that at least some will fall back into old habits. This means it’s more important than ever to lock your car, to not leave computers and phones and the like in view. To remove temptation is a great way to help people resist it.

STAND UP
Not for the flag, although that’s always a good thing to do, but for paddling. Stand-up paddling has become quite the thing—my new favorite activity—and now there will be a fun paddle to raise funds for cystic fibrosis. A fun paddle is like a fun run: some people race while others amble or, in this case, paddle leisurely. There will also be Back Bay tours and clinics. The event is set for Sunday, October 9, beginning at 8:30 am, at the Newport Aquatic Center. For more info, call 646-7725.

YES, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Over the years, a lot of effort and money has been spent to improve water quality. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Once again, Newport got excellent grades in Heal the Bay’s annual beach water quality survey, and in another marker, we’ve seen a dramatic drop all along the coast over the last several years in areas that are closed for high bacteria readings.

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FUTURE TOPIC SUGGESTIONS

This is a two-way process, so please don’t hesitate to contact me with your ideas and opinions.

Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Gardner

QUALITY OF LIFE Advocate FOR NEWPORT BEACH

City of Newport Beach | 3300 Newport Blvd | Newport Beach, CA 92663

Phone: 949.644.3004 | EMAIL: ngardner@newportbeachca.gov