Mailbag: Column should have criticized Museum House opponents’ tactics

Thank you for printing my prior Museum House letter in the Daily Pilot (“Commentary: Museum House will allow OCMA to move to a better location,” Dec. 15). I am honored.

Just above my letter is an article by columnist Barbara Venezia that begs comment. Venezia rightly decries “shameful tactics” used by apparent supporters of the project, but nowhere does she offer any evidence that the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) or the developer is either sponsoring or condoning this behavior.

On the other hand, a news release from the developer contains comments taken from video links that clearly demonstrate poor tactics used by the opposition’s petition solicitors. These tactics are equally shameful, they are being used by hired agents of the opposition (or by the opponents themselves), and they are documented.

I am a member and big fan of OCMA, and I believe its management and board hold to the highest ethical standards. The Related Cos. and their land-use consultants also have well-earned excellent reputations in Orange County, and it is highly irresponsible to tar any of these people with a “shameful” sobriquet unless it is proven they are the agents involved.

At a minimum, Venezia must at least admit that the alleged “unsavory lengths supporters are willing to go” to are present in the opposition too. She, and we, should instead look at the merits of the project, its considerable financial benefits to the city of Newport Beach, and its promise of a new OCMA that will far more effectively serve all of Orange County, not just the privileged few who live nearby.

Roger Davisson

Newport Coast

Confrontation at the local post office

I am a long-time Newport Beach resident. On Dec. 14, I went to my P.O. Box at the Camelback Post Office.

I walked my 9-pound dog at the front of the post office entrance and was confronted by a Line in the Sand petitioner seated at a table.

Curious, I asked her a couple of simple questions. She became very agitated and angry. She acknowledged that she did not live in Newport Beach or Orange County. Things became quite a bit less friendly when I started talking to someone who was about to sign the petition on her table, but after our conversation, ultimately did not.

The Line in the Sand woman started yelling at me, at the top of her lungs. Screaming that I am a “Blocker.” I do not have any idea what a “Blocker” is, but I do know when I am being verbally harassed. She repeatedly shouted to anyone walking by, pointing at me as if I were a criminal, yelling that I am “with the developer.”

I am a professional who has worked in the business world for many years. I understand that Line in the Sand has chosen to employ professional signature gatherers. I also understand that they have now apologized to the community through social media channels for their behavior, according to a threat on the Nextdoor social media site.

I ask that Line in the Sand take necessary measures to immediately stop this offensive behavior, such as employing peace officers, to observe their tactics and prevent improprieties and prevent intimidation, especially at our local post office. It would go a long way.

Randy Morrison Baird

Newport Beach