MAILBAG:

As a political activist in west Newport, where I’ve lived for 46 years, I’ve attempted to bring more parks and other capital improvements to this older part of our city.

Other than Mayor Don McGinnis, Councilman Steve Rosansky has accomplished more in five years than any previous west Newport district councilman.

Let me list a few of Steve’s accomplishments:

 After years of the city’s failure to make a deal with CALTRANS, Steve went up to Sacramento, and (with Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff) negotiated a fair deal to buy the 12 acres where the new Sunset Ridge Park will be;

 As the last item of his talk last year at the mayor’s “State of the City” dinner, Steve had the leadership to re-open discussions on the location of the new city hall which will now result in a civic center that the citizens can be proud;

 As a result of Steve’s effective negotiations with the Irvine Co., the city hall in the park will include more open space across the street adjacent to the bus terminal;

 When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed plans to dump unclean sand and silt from the Santa Ana River into the west Newport groin field, which would have ruined the existing reefs, the residents and surfers crammed the City Hall council chambers with loud protests, and Steve did an effective job of calming the noisy crowd and negotiated a successful change of the plans;

 The new Superior Avenue median landscaping is a great improvement to west Newport, thanks to Steve’s efforts.

The citywide interests of Newport Beach will be well served by reelecting Rosansky. His endorsements are impressive. His five years of hard-earned experience and leadership are needed for the next four years of important Newport City Council decisions.

MIKE JOHNSON

Newport Beach

Candidates should condemn hit pieces

The time has come for the hit pieces to start arriving in Newport. I have received hit pieces from obscure outfits in Sacramento targeting Keith Curry and Steve Rosansky.

These pieces contain manipulated and deceptive information. This is not new in elections, and neither are the responses from the candidates who are intended to benefit from them. They say, “What can I do? I don’t have any idea who is behind this.”

They could disavow these tactics in the strongest terms, and publicly correct the misinformation. But, even when they have the chance, such as at candidate forums, they just sit mum.

It is up to the benefactors of these “disassociated” hit pieces to take a stand. I would have more respect for any candidate that would do this.

DENNIS BAKER

Newport Beach