Mailbag: School board members’ letter about Mesa Verde forum inaccurate

Re: “Mailbag: School board forum excluded us:” Let’s get the facts straight. Mesa Verde Community Inc. asked the challengers and the school board incumbents to participate in a forum Oct. 3. The three challengers said they could attend, but the three incumbents said they had other commitments and were unavailable. MV Community Inc. then canceled that forum. No information was communicated to Mesa Verde Inc. that the incumbents were working to find an alternative date.

I am not a Mesa Verde Community Inc. member and was disappointed that the forum was canceled. I wanted the challengers to be heard, and since the room was available I hosted the meeting for the same day, Oct. 3. I did not re-invite the board members because they already said they were unavailable.

Most of the questions asked at the revised Oct. 3 meeting were not asked at earlier Newport Beach or PTA forums. The revised October meeting dealt more with Costa Mesa issues, such as the exodus of local students to neighboring districts, the transfer of the California principal to Newport Beach, the Signature Academies, the nets at Estancia High, the Swun math program and term limits.

Two of the three incumbents have been on the school board for a combined 44 years. The challengers are for term limits, fiscal responsibility and transparency with input from teachers, parents, neighbors and students. All three challengers have children in our schools and have been involved in their children’s respective schools.

These are the facts.

Martie O’Meara
Costa Mesa

I support Herdman for City Council

Jeff Herdman has a proven track record serving the district in which he has lived and owned property for decades. I had the honor of serving with Herdman on the Citizens Advisory Panel of the Tidelands Management Committee. I found him to be sincere, earnest, thoughtful and thorough in each situation we deliberated. I also witnessed his great dedication to serving the people of District 5 through the Balboa Island Improvement and the Little Balboa Island Property Owners’ associations. He showed exemplary responsiveness to constituents seeking information, voicing a concern or even just complaining.

Herdman’s concerns for the city are my concerns: traffic, development and responsible financial stewardship. By adhering to the General Plan (approved by voters in 2006), Herdman will follow a clear path to reasonable and sustainable improvements. He has also expressed in-depth knowledge of our harbor and he understands its importance to our city.

As a property owner and landlord operating in Newport Beach, Herdman is invested in his district like no other candidate. For his commitment and service to his district, his dedication to our city and superior qualifications, I am supporting Herdman for District 5. I urge you to support him as well.

Paul Blank
Corona del Mar

Editor’s Note: The writer is chairman of Newport Beach Harbor Commission.