Letters to the Editor

Dr. Gerkin will not only show respect, but he’ll also listen to those who elect him

Newport Beach deserves leadership that listens to its residents and respects taxpayer dollars. That’s why I strongly support Dr. Andrew Gerken for City Council District 6.

Dr. Gerken is a longtime Newport Beach resident and a respected orthopedic surgeon who served our community for more than two decades at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. His record reflects a lifetime of service, not politics.

In contrast, recent decisions by Mayor Lauren Kleiman –particularly the push to relocate a police station and jail to Civic Center Park at an estimated $200 million cost – are deeply concerning. This proposal is fiscally irresponsible, ignores strong community opposition and puts ideology ahead of common sense.

We need leadership that prioritizes public safety, protects our open spaces and actually listens to residents.

Dr. Gerken offers exactly that!

If you care about the future of Newport Beach, now is the time to get involved and support Dr. Andrew Gerken – so we can elect him and bring meaningful change to our City Council! Let’s do this!

- Lynn Swain, Big Canyon

We don’t need “miscreants” in and around our library

I am so thrilled to see that another civic-minded resident has decided to run for City Council, this candidate against Lauren Kleiman. Dr. Andy Gerken is a well-respected orthopedic surgeon in Newport, and I think he would be an excellent city councilman to replace Ms. Kleiman.

In the last few years, I’ve seen an evolution of a “we know best” attitude among most of the councilmembers, culminating with the current push to move the NB Police HQ and jail to the park adjacent to the city hall. This decision makes exactly zero sense for the residents, since the current Police HQ site is fully owned by the city and is large enough to build a spacious new building for our police force.

Building the new building in the Civic Center Park is more expensive, more disruptive and will place the NB jail adjacent to the library and city hall. Where exactly do you think that the drunks and miscreants will go when they are released from the “jail in the park?” I’m guessing the library will be a very attractive place to hang out.

When a huge crowd of residents showed up to express their concerns about this to the council, they were effectively shut out and shut up by the incumbents, who appear to think that they don’t have to pay attention to their voters.

We need councilmembers who actually value the opinion of their constituents and will act in their best interests. I believe that Dr. Gerken fits that bill precisely!

- Susan Skinner, Newport Beach

SOURCE: Stu News Newport