Mailbag: Start televising Planning Commission meetings

These are exciting times in Newport Beach. So much is changing, and so many residents are staying involved in their city after being motivated into action by Measure Y. There is definitely a movement to preserve our city’s unique qualities.

One excellent way to facilitate more participation would be to televise the meetings of the Planning Commission. Some people with jobs, families and busy lives can’t attend meetings at the Civic Center two Thursday evenings a month. But this is when the City Council-appointed commissioners discuss and vote on development projects with the potential to affect and even transform our community.

Airing the meetings on the city’s website would allow more residents to keep up with the development pipeline and take action when they feel strongly about a project. City Council meetings are already televised, so the technology is there. Let’s use it to create a better-informed and more engaged electorate.

Marko Popovich

President, Stop Polluting Our Newport

Balboa Island

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O.C. chapter becomes independent

The Alzheimer’s epidemic is happening right here in Orange County. More than 84,000 people are currently living with the disease and many more are at risk.

Recently, Alzheimer’s Orange County (formerly Alzheimer’s Assn, Orange County Chapter) announced it has become an independent nonprofit in an effort to keep local programs and services here for Orange County families. This is the right move for the organization; it will help it do an even better job of serving our community.

People in Orange County who have been struggling with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia have been fortunate to receive help from a strong, local organization dedicated to helping them deal with the devastating impact of this disease. Patients and families alike have benefitted tremendously from Alzheimer’s Orange County. The local nonprofit has been in Orange County since 1982, even before its national affiliation.

As one of the fastest-aging counties in the United States, the needs of the Orange County community will continue to grow. Alzheimer’s Orange County is recognized as one of the most important not-for-profit resources for expert assistance related to all forms of dementia.

I’d like to voice my support, and my thanks, to Alzheimer’s Orange County for its bold decision this month to disaffiliate from the national organization so that it can continue providing essential services to the people of Orange County.

Katherine Kennedy

Foothill Ranch