COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

For the sixth year in a row, I deviate from the traditional Community and Clubs format to present the Turkey Awards for Newport-Mesa.

The votes are in, and for 2007 we, the nominating committee, have co-Turkeys of the Year.

Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Michael S. Carona, who is on a leave of absence as he battles federal corruption charges, and County Treasurer/Tax Collector Chriss Street, who is also under investigation after a bankruptcy filing while he was the trustee liquidating Fruehauf Trailer Corp.

The 2006 Turkey of the Year was recalled Santa Ana Unified School District Board member Nativo Lopez, who organized and led the disruption of Costa Mesa City Council meetings to protest the proposed measure to check on the citizenship of those arrested for violent felonies.

The 2006 Turkey nominees included former Newport Beach City Council member John Hefferman, who was quoted as saying, “I didn’t realize when I was a member of the council how city employee salaries were getting out of hand.”

In 2005 we dishonored Costa Mesa Council member Eric Bever for ego and arrogance and Greenlight’s Phil Arst for claiming Newport Beach for continuing to try to undo decisions of the duly-elected city council, as co-Turkey’s of the Year.

For several weeks now, the nominating committee of Newport-Mesa residents has been reviewing the Daily Pilot to find people who affect our communities.

The Eagle of the Year Award is given to those who soar in the community.

The fifth Annual Eagle of the Year Award goes to Costa Mesa resident and County Supervisor John Moorlach, who consistently stands up for what he believes is best for all citizens and against wrongdoing. Moorlach, a mentor to Street, has called on Street and Carona to resign. Moorlach soars.

The 2006 Eagles were Arches Restaurant owner Dan Marcheano and Superior Court Judge Steve Bromberg for their leadership with the 1/1 Marines.

The 2005 Eagles were community benefactors Donna and John Crean.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council, “As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.”

— Paul Shane Spear

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected].