CdM official changes ballot title to reflect neutrality

Amid concerns of position, Corona del Mar’s Chamber of Commerce treasurer removed the organization’s name from a ballot argument against City Hall in the Park ballot initiative.

Bernie P. Svalstad has removed the title “Vice President-Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce” from the argument against the ballot initiative, signed Oct. 23. Svalstad said he acted alone when he requested the change.

“Nobody made me do anything,” Svalstad said. “I thought it would be more appropriate to change the title.”

Svalstad is now listed as the former chairman of the Corona del Mar Centennial Foundation on the document, available at www.city.newportbeach.ca. us/clerknotices/Argument AgainstMeasure.asp.

A phone call to the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Architect Ron Hendrickson, a proponent of the February ballot measure that would require Newport’s next city hall to be built next to the city’s central library, said he was pleased with the change of wording.

“We appreciated the change was made to reflect that the chamber is not taking a position on this matter,” Hendrickson said.

— Brianna Bailey