SCAQMD Board Passes New Fire Pit Rules
A CURIOUS OUTCOME
Those who follow this issue already know the outcome of the raucous meeting held at the headquarters of the South Coast Air Quality Management District headquarters in Diamond Bar. It was covered extensively in both print, online and electronic media last night. Here's my summary of events based on the coverage provided by our local media friends.
The facts of the event are pretty constant among the various reports. The short version of the outcome is that the SCAQMD Board, led by Chairman William Burke, who voted with the majority for a thin 7-6 margin to modify their rule 444 and place new restrictions on nearly 800 fire pits throughout the southland. It establishes a 700-foot buffer zone between beach fires and residences.
WILL NEWPORT REMOVE THE FIRE RINGS NOW?
According to Jill Cowan's report in the Daily Pilot, HERE, based on the new rules the City of Newport Beach can get rid of 60 fire pits near the Balboa Pier and at Corona del Mar State Beach. Whether they do remains to be seen based on her quote from City Manager Dave Kiff. See more below.
Cowan provides us with a very interesting quote from Burke. He said, "I understand everybody out there doesn't want this rule. I'm just amazed very few people are here in support of the rule today." This, during a packed-house meeting at which more than four dozen people addressed the directors on this issue.
RIGHEIMER BLASTS NEWPORT COUNCIL
COUNTING SPEAKERS
According to Senk, of the 49 speakers today, only 7 supported the changes that were eventually approved. The remainder, including 17 public officials or their spokespersons, were in favor of keeping the bonfires without changes in the rules. She quotes Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, a member of the Board, as indicating that the "fire rings didn't pose enough of a health risk to warrant the AQMD's attention." He went on to say that Newport Beach, has, "one of the cleanest environments our basin has to offer."HOW THE VOTE WENT
Senk tells us that "the board members supporting the rule changes were Burke, Clark Parker, Judith Mitchell, Dennis Yates, Michael Cacciotti, Gonzales and Joseph Lyou. The board members who voted no were John Benoit, Ben Benoit, Pulido, Jan Perry, Michael Antonovich and Nelson."MORE FROM RIGHEIMER
Former Daily Pilot reporter, Deep Bharath, now writing for the Orange County Register in an article tucked firmly behind their pay wall, HERE, quoted Righeimer stating, "They started this mess and they're not even here," he said of the other
Newport Beach council members. "They get what they want. This is about
multi-millionaires who don't want others there. They know that if you
can make it about health, you can shut it down." Obviously, Righeimer doesn't much care what the heavily-Republican electorate and leadership of Newport Beach thinks on this issue.BEFORE THE GLOATING BEGINS...
But, before the few people who theoretically "won" yesterday get too cocky, Kiff and Mayor Pro Tem Rush Hill posted an entry on the City website late this afternoon, HERE, that implies much work still needs to be done in that city before this issue is resolved. Kiff's final paragraph says it best - "This issue has been debated extensively in the community in recent weeks and months, and good people are on each side of the issue. I know that the Council will work closely with the community to determine the best way for Newport Beach to move forward. The next chapter is not yet written."***MORE FROM CORONA DEL MAR TODAY
Amy Senk posted a followup entry to this issue today, Saturday, HERE.
GOOD REPORTING
Thanks to Cowan, Bharath and Senk for their excellent coverage of this important issue. Now we watch...Labels: Amy Senk, Dave Kiff, Deepa Bharath, Jill Cowan, Jim Righeimer, Keith Curry, Leslie Daigle, Rush Hill, Shawn Nelson, William Burke
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 7/13/2013 12:07:00 AM
28 Comments:
Kind of like the lights shining in others windows at the park fields, the fireworks for 3 days ... if you make it about the kids you can pass anything.
I have 3 kids myself and I have taught them to respect others and I have instilled in them if others are inconvenienced from your desires there needs to be a compromise. Costa Mesa City Council has destroyed that.
It's all about them and those who campaign and support them and to heck with the rest of the residents.
Have you seen the numerous committees and who has been appointed?
Sounds like city council meeting, where the vast majority of speakers are against something that the council rams through anyway.
That said, will be interesting to see how the Coastal Commission views the ruling. This is going to get interesting.
MV: usually it is the opponents of something that come and speak. the proponents know how council will vote and don't need to show up. very simple. notice that in an election, the ones who didn't show up voted in favor of council direction and against the candidates the usual speakers back.
Riggy told the truth but probably should have kept quiet.
The really sad and unfortunate thing for Costa Mesa and for democracy is that we do know how the Council majority will vote, before the public have a chance to speak and regardless of what they say. It's all decided by out-of-town money and power. Just like Morsi in Egypt, they think winning an election makes them kings.
I love that bit of revisionist history I just read. It gave me a good laugh. The candidate with the most votes in the last election was Ms. Genis. You remember council member Genis, don't you? She has been a voice of opposition since Riggy ascended to the dais.
Oh yeah, what about Measure V's defeat???
eyes wide shut...He told the truth about what? His charter scheme? Fact is the voters saw threw his BS and soundly voted 60% to 40% against it in a plurality Republican city.
The charter may have been soundly defeated. But it's how do you defeat Righeimer in Costa Mesa. The gifts they give to the sports group and all their other supporters will keep those voters voting for them. Nobody else matters to those groups. It's all about them. They will allow Righeimer and Mensinger to do a lot of damage as long as they get their field usage, money and other things.
There needs to be some balance and fairness and right now in Costa Mesa there is none of that.
This next election Righeimer needs to be defeated and both his seat and Leece's seat need to be filled with council members who can work with all groups.
But I am sorry to say I do not see that happening.
I will get a charter and finish my work here in Costa Mesa.
Everyone needs to know that my henchmen and I rule over them.
Malcontents can move to Fountain Valley and be with the people who rejected me.
/s/ Supreme Leader
Egan's are nice people but they make no sense when they speak.
If it is what topic they choose to write about ( Think how to get crows from trees) or now one of the paired mocking birds is singing the tune of Righeimer is like Egypt.
Really?
I find it curious our mayor has weighed in on this issue. Not that I don't agree with his position on the fire rings; I believe they ought to stay as is. With that said, here's why I think his 2 cents is inappropriate: this is a Newport Beach issue. A battle for us to fight. Last I checked, he is a council member (mayor) in Costa Mesa.
For a guy who seems to live by the mantra of "local control", and keeping Sacramento politicians out of local Costa Mesa affairs, where does he see that his opinion should matter to the residents of Newport? In fact did he not refer to the fire rings as a "regional resource"? How so, they are firmly in Newport and should be under Newport's control ("local control"), no?
It seems very duplicitous of Righeimer. I suppose he just needs to get his finger in anything newsworthy in the local area.
Man of multiple online personalities,
The Egans are very nice and make perfect sense
to the rest of us.
This "makes no sense" "is nutty" strategy against those who disagree with you is backfiring, bigtime.
You look like someone who has no reading comprehension whatsoever, to put it mildly.
And to think you're the paid troll for the councildudes.
the egans are losing it big time. very sad, especially Tom. rambling articles about basically nothing. at least awhile back he told us how to kill crows. I don't need to know how Hoag stopped killing babies and why. Just glad they did.
Eleanor, IF the usual speakers made sense, IF they had good arguments, THEN the council would vote their way. Otherwise they have a known template on issues that resonates with the voters who would be disappointed if they did a 180 because Robin didn't like something. It would even help if the speakers were respectful.
And, no, I didn't forget about Sandy. I just ignore her and her comments. Seriously don't even listen. I listen to Leece cuz I like a good laugh and she is all I have left now that Stavely is gone.
It's funny that Riggy's caddy criticizes Tom Egan here rather than in the DP where Egan's piece appeared. It's because the little minions are under orders regarding the Daily Pilot. Life as a bootlicking pony boy can be so... structured.
Each Egan has 10X the brainpower and ethics of any of the rigclones.
Troll licker Warned you once, that's all you get. Stick to issues or your precious apples will be exposed for all to see. Like, troll licker was warned to post only when sober. He was told not to post at all but would not cooperate with the moratorium. Always thought he had something too cute or too clever, but he was just too effed up. Notice some of the other voices are back? Mean bastards too some of them. Anonymity makes it easy. Real delicate egos though, fragile ittle girls inside. They had enough sense to obey when the big dogs said keep it quiet until we get our talking points lined up and tell you what to say. Now they have their orders and a list of names to attack. That’s because they can’t make a case on the facts. I’m going to have to dish about a few of them soon too, looks like. Moratorium lifted now, but the bosses know they can't trust troll licker worth a spit. And a word of advice, son? Next time you take a spontaneous ocean voyage, let the home folks know where you’re at.
Want more? Act like a grownup and there won’t be a problem. Base your arguments on facts, don’t make sh** up. Feel kind of sad when everyone makes fun of you? Remember, what goes around comes back to bite you in the ass. Hard.
You’re welcome.
Geoff,
Any idea why drunk-sounding commenters are attacking the Egans? Two of the nicest people I've ever met.
Your 4th (hyphenated) word may be the clue...
the egans may be nice, and at one time Tom may have made sense but , sadly, no one has explained to him that he rambles aimlessly. Yet he thinks he is a man of few words, or at least used to fancy that title. Now he perhaps is the great orator. either way he sounds like a pinko commie lib. Stavely has the same problem but actually has epic meltdowns in his struggle to remain relevant.
Boy, Team Riggy sure struggles to stay on point, but they can toss insults with the best of them!
Cheers to them!
Like their boss, the minions are weak and ineffective. Too many people see through their schoolgirl techniques.
We are in the last days of this politician's tenure in Costa Mesa. The voters sent a message with his bogus charter, and, ironically, other Republicans will see to it that support for him ends. He ruined the brand. Maybe he and Pollitt can start a new tea party. Mensy and Fitzy can dress up as Native Americans and do re-enactments.
In my life, I have prayed but one prayer: oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it.--Voltaire
strange prayer Eleanor but fitting I guess.. maybe not concentrate on enemies and do some good?
And yet Tom Egan pens a public letter to the editor bashing Catholics.
Will they ever retire?
DM: "Mensy and Fitzy can dress up as Native Americans and do re-enactments."
Bad idea. Fitzy doesn't fit into the Pocahontas dress anymore, and we'd be afraid of Mensy putting red war paint on someone else's horse and blaming Ridge..
A troll wrote:
"And yet Tom Egan pens a public letter to the editor bashing Catholics."
Liar.
Coward.
Instead of making things up about Mr. Egan, write your own rebuttal in the publication where your deluded mind thinks it saw the "attack."
If you yourself are a Catholic like me, then you need to review the Pope's latest encyclical about taking care of one's family.
We hear that you're not.
The same group of the il-literati are coming here to air their stupidity. Anyone who read Tom Egan's opinion piece as Catholic bashing proves he can read, but not comprehend.
It's almost amusing to see how many people are proud of their ignorance and flaunt that they cannot comprehend well-written commentary. They seem vexed by the compound sentence, multi-syllabic words and the dreaded semi-colon.
Tom's piece was actually pure reporting with little commentary at all. He did the research (which is seemingly reviled by the Cost Mesa power elite), laid out the Church's latest decrees and how they must be applied at/by Hoag. He made no comment on how we, as healthcare consumers, should react. Instead, he gave us something to think about so we could make informed decisions. How can that be bad?
giving alf fitz,
The prayer Eleanor quoted was not strange and fit the bill in addressing the endless, mindless online multiple personalities that post here. They are ridiculous indeed, starting with the inane and inaccurate title above.
Voltaire was a great man with incredible talent.
For you to find his words "strange" says a lot about who you are and what you are not.
Keep trashing your opponents with your mindless drivel and lies. It frames you as one of the most clueless, nasty and spiteful people in our community.
We get to see the real you here, "chairman".
Did my friend ever sue you for slandering her on your CMTA FB page?I hope she will.
Eyes wide shut, what alternate universe are you in? Sandy Genis won by a landslide with broad bi-partisan support. The councilmens charter plot failed 60/40. Gary barely avoided a loss only because he buys nursing home ballots.
Heck, Pinocchio, is there even a real boy left in there any more? Keep lying; maybe the sheep will believe you…except Costa Mesa is not exactly a community of sheep, except for the few who keep bleating baugh baugh baugh.
Every time I think you’ve hit a new low, you go lower. Do you need to put people down to build yourself up? You poor pathetic little man. Your personal life is such a mess, your have no business running any of the City’s business. At least your frequently confused and garbled posts are humorous.
open eyes,
How do you know who is posting? You, and others, love to assume the authors and take your little peanut gallery potshots at whoever you think it is.
Tell us, how DO you know?
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