STREET TALK

We asked local business owners on Old Newport Boulevard if they thought

Sid Soffer--who has been living in Las Vegas for five years as a

fugitive--would actually come back to town. Soffer owns Sid’s Steakhouse

and other properties.

-- Compiled by Amy R. Spurgeon; photos by Don Leach

I think he will. I hope he does. I like Sid. He’s the local gadfly. We’ve

been business neighbors for 23 years now. He is one of the few people who

will challenge the city.

ROGER SCHWENK

Newport Beach

He’s crazy, but we need more people like him. He’s a breath of fresh air.

And I am a doctor and agree that a cockroach never killed anyone.

MIKE MILLIKAN

Balboa

He will be back. He wants another restaurant. But he won’t have the

steakhouse. He’ll find another Whiskey Bill’s. He’s like Mayor Gary

Monahan; it’s in his blood.

GIL LUKOSKY

Newport Beach

I think he will, and I think it would be great. I think he should resolve

his legal situation and get back to business down here. We need him.

He’ll find a way to come back.

CORKI RAWLINGS

Newport Beach

If he wants to pay his debt to society and he cleans up his act and he

can conform to the laws of the city, county and state Alcoholic Beverage

Control Department--then he should be able to come back. Everybody

deserves a second chance.

OWEN MINNEY

Newport Beach