“Joel did give me $100 on three...

“Joel did give me $100 on three separate occasions. I appointed him

to the Planning Commission because he’s a stand-up guy and we have

similar goals and as soon as all of this was brought to my attention,

I immediately notified the city attorney.”

-- Allan Mansoor, Costa Mesa Councilman, on being accused of a

conflict of interest for appointing Joel Faris to the Planning

Commission

“The sails were already up and, I am just guessing at this point,

but he was probably just about ready to kill the motor and start

sailing. Everything just kind of fell backward there for a little

bit.”

-- Kurt Vasentine, Harbor Patrol sergeant, on a sailboat that

ended up running into the Balboa Peninsula’s eastern jetty

“Except there was this one photo of him sleeping with his gas mask

on and a machine gun by his side. That was kind of emotional -- to

see my first-born child surrounded by such danger.”

-- Pam Bergey, mother of Bryan Bergey, a 23-year-old U.S. Marine

corporal now serving in Iraq

“I feel sorry for him yet I think it is an honor to have him be

part of us and have him go do what he’s got to do for the country.”

-- Dan Mudra, a Costa Mesa Fire engineer, on colleague Costa Mesa

Fire Capt. Kirk Dominic, a U.S. Army Reserve called to duty last week

“I am very pleased we were able to move forward with a commitment

for fireworks at the Dunes this year. The people in this city expect

the best, and while other cities are doing away with public fireworks

on the Fourth, we will move forward with this event to be sure our

residents receive the best show possible.”

-- Steve Bromberg, Newport Beach mayor, on the Newport Dunes

Waterfront Resort agreeing to return fireworks over the night sky on

the Fourth of July