Commentary: Permit-parking ballot system is flawed

At a recent town hall meeting addressing the residential permit parking program planned for a seven-block area of the Balboa Peninsula, a moderator was asked how many residents live in the affected area. I was astonished when an answer couldn’t be given.

Newport Beach municipal code says a majority of residents — 50% plus one — would have to sign a petition requesting parking permits. The code also says all residents — not residential units — have to be counted.

An accurate count of residents is vital. If city officials don’t know how many residents there are, how would they know if they’ve met the 50% plus one criteria?

However, instead of receiving a petition, the city is distributing ballots for a vote.

At the same meeting, another moderator said those who voted at the town hall meeting would not receive a mailed ballot. Yet my neighbor voted at the town hall and received a mailed ballot. My husband and I have been residents since 1982. He received a mailed ballot, and I did not. Our tenant did not receive a ballot.

The ballot materials say the ballot was sent to all residents of the area. This seems not to be the case. Did residents know that they were due Friday?

Do they know that under the rules they would have to arrange for a permit for every car that visits after 4 p.m.?

Needless to say, I am extremely concerned about the haphazard way residents are being counted. I am concerned about transparency, that residents are not being told the whole story about the program’s pros and cons.

Therefore I suggest this entire ballot, which is already compromised, be scrapped; that an independent licensed agency administer the ballot process; that an accurate count of residents be established and communicated to the public; and that a new ballot be mailed to all residents that includes the pros and cons.

MARIANNE ZIPPI lives in Newport Beach.