Mayor stresses quality of life in city

June Casagrande

Mayor Tod Ridgeway has seen a lot of change since he became a

councilman five years ago.

A 14-square-mile city is now 26 square miles, mainly from the

annexation of Newport Coast. Crime rates are down, property values

are way, way up and, overall, life just keeps getting better.

Ridgeway’s speech at the annual Speak Up Newport Mayor’s Dinner

was starkly different from his 2002 speech. His pro-development

message gave way this year to a broader perspective on the city, how

it was doing and where it was going.

“I firmly believe the city’s quality of life has improved over the

past five years in spite of a continued fiscal crisis in California,”

Ridgeway told the crowd at the Newport Marriott on Thursday night.

“The dedication of the elected officials, city staff and the

approximately 214 members of the 19 boards, commissions and

committees have ensured for every citizen a wonderful place to work

and live.”

For the most part, Ridgeway let the numbers do the talking: The

assessed value of property in the city has risen to $24 billion

today. The city has amassed 47 parks encompassing 258 acres and 11

miles of oceanfront coastline. Serious crimes, including homicide,

rape and robbery are down 37% from 1990. City lifeguards made more

than 4,700 rescues and 130,000 accident prevention actions last year.

As a result: not a single drowning among the estimated 8.7 million

people who visited beaches in the city last year.

The city conducted more than 292,000 hours of activities, classes

and events last year through the recreation services division. The

Newport Beach Library is now ranked in the top 4% of public libraries

in the nation.

Every year, a new mayor takes the podium at the Speak Up Newport

Mayor’s Dinner to lay out priorities for the coming year in local

government.

“It’s the biggest political event of the year in Newport Beach,”

said Councilman Steve Bromberg, who served as mayor last year. “It’s

the ultimate schmooze event.”

Ridgeway wrapped up the talk by touching on some areas important

to Newport in the coming year, most notably the Sphere Issues

Committee’s work to help the city play a larger role in county

functions, including John Wayne Airport. And he gave special mention

to City Atty. Bob Burnham, who will retire this year.

“There you have it folks,” Ridgeway concluded, “a world-class city

that has improved with age and hopefully, during this year and

ensuing years, will only get better. Let us all come together on the

issues where we are united and work toward a better city.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].