Newport Ridge center needs city’s full support...

Newport Ridge center needs city’s full support

I do support construction of the Newport Ridge community center. I

do doubt that it will ever get built because the city will probably

renege on that just the way it did on paying for the maintenance of

the slopes, although it agreed to do it. Newport Beach officials have

dragged their feet on all issues. However, I do hope that this

facility is constructed as promised by the city.

BOB WILMOTH

Newport Beach

Nick’s Pizza has made for good family memories

In regards to the Looking Back article titled “Family is this

pizzeria’s special ingredient”:

We moved to Newport Beach in 1971, and at that time, Nick’s Pizza

was literally the only pizza place other than one on the peninsula.

So, we would drive five miles from Corona del Mar to go get Nick’s.

There was a yarn shop next door to Nick’s. I would go once a week for

a class and always get a slice on my way home.

Then when my kids were in high school, they always went there

after games with Newport Harbor or Costa Mesa high schools. And when

they remodeled the shopping center, Nick’s was the only place left

open during the construction. You would drive through there, and it

would be pitch dark except for one little light, and that would be

Nick’s, which would still be open.

I was so happy when they opened their new dining room. They

deserve the best. They are the best. I have a friend who comes here

from Sierra Madre just to go to Nick’s. And I wish them well. And in

the future, I wish they would consider opening on Sundays, since

Sunday is our family dinner day and it would be really nice to be

able to go to Nick’s with our family on a Sunday.

SANDRA BASMACIYAN

Corona del Mar

Greenlight miscast in Balboa Theater debate

Several letters in the Daily Pilot recently that have

misunderstood Greenlight’s position and actions regarding the Balboa

Theater.

Greenlight supports the Balboa Theater program. Not a single

square foot of new construction or zoning has been opposed by

Greenlight or will be restricted by its actions. The theater is too

small to trigger any Greenlight action such as a vote of the people.

The issue of the Newport Beach general plan amendment for the

Balboa Theater came up during Greenlight’s preparation of a lawsuit

to prevent the city from going against the will of the voters by

exempting most new hotels from the city law that requires their

approval by the voters. The city attempted to do this by using artful

language to describe the hotels in a way that would bypass the law.

This seemingly illegal action is being opposed, as we think the

voters should have the final approval on whether the residents want

the bay ringed with hotels.

The recently adopted general plan amendment changed the way the

Balboa Theater’s small amount of future growth would be measured,

which would set a precedent for expanding other older buildings, such

as the Port Theater, in other parts of the city. The intent of the

city law, as passed by the people, was not being followed. This is

wrong. The Balboa Theater should not be used as a pawn.

Speaking for myself, I hope the city gets a new general plan

update moving forward -- which they have been working on for several

years -- so we vote on it and stop these confusing side issues with

piecemeal planning.

EVELYN HART

Newport Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Evelyn Hart is a member of the Greenlight

Committee and a former Newport Beach mayor.