Local Media Hot Topics

REGISTER AND PILOT ARTICLES OF INTEREST
It was an interesting few days in the local print media.  Both the Orange County Register and the Daily Pilot produced articles and columns that cry out for broader distribution.  With that in mind, and knowing that some of you out there only read one or the other, but not both, here are some things for you to review and ponder.

THE FIRST OF SEVERAL...
Daily Pilot reporters Mike Reicher and Joe Serna have produced the first of what we are told is a series of articles about the current conditions in Costa Mesa.  This first installment covered about 75% of the front page Sunday, plus an entire page inside and another dozen column-inches beyond that.  You can read it HERE.
 
MORE COMING SOON
This piece sets the tone for what we are led to believe will be a few more provocative installments to come over the next week or so.  I know this first one set the hook in my cheek, so I'm REALLY looking forward to what's coming. 

HARLAN HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK!
Columnist Jeffrey Harlan produced another excellent attempt to enlighten the populace with his views of the current political climate in Costa Mesa.  You can read it HERE.  I believe that, regardless which side of the political arguments you're on, you will find his "SHARP" column useful.  I smiled when I read his phrase, "city council union".

MORE WU FOR YOU
Conservative columnist Jack Wu, a Newport Beach resident and unapologetic rabid conservative, kept his promise and provided us with his view of Costa Mesa City Council candidates Harold Weitzberg and John Stephens, HERE.  Now, I like Jack and understand that, no matter how hard he might try, he is what he is - a young, enthusiastic Republican who has had more than a few sips from the Kool-Aid pitcher.  In his column he tries to hold Weitzberg responsible for not knowing a piece of municipal minutiae that, I venture to say, not one of the current council members could answer accurately.  Still, the column is worth reading.

WATCHDOG RANTS
The Orange County Register, through their Watchdog series, tossed some red meat into the cage with a couple provocative pieces this past weekend.  The first one, by reporter Teri Sforza, is titled "Who has O.C.'s most well-compensated police?"  You can read it HERE.  Unfortunately, it lists Costa Mesa as having the highest paid police in the county.  Equally unfortunate is the fact that her information is factually incorrect. The City is responding to her now and will expect a retraction/clarification soon.
 
DISABILITY ABUSE
The second one, written by Tony Saavedra, is titled "Public Safety disability system 'ripe for abuse'" paints a bleak picture of police and fire "abuses" of the system in Orange County.  You can read that one HERE.  Certainly, this is a difficult issue to ponder.  If you view the companion graphics, HERE, you'll see that Costa Mesa is way, way down the list for both police and fire.

Those articles/columns should keep your juices flowing until the council meeting tomorrow night.  Enjoy.