Unfortunately, I'm starting to believe it.
Here's why...
Go and find the most "normal," but most consistent voter you can find who does not live on the Balboa Peninsula.
You know what you'll find?
Someone who has heard about the Sober Living Home issue, because they have read about it (perhaps) in the Daily Pilot or the Orange County Register, but don't know anything about it.
Once you fill them in, then they are in disbelief that something like that could happen...on the Peninsula.
But if it takes more than 5 minutes to explain something, people lose interest. And try to explain this issue to someone fresh in less than 5 minutes.
I've done this quite often.
I have many friends throughout the City, most of which are consistent voters, who know NOTHING about this battle. Some live in Corona Del Mar, others in Newport Heights, others in Eastbluff.
It just happened this past weekend. My friend from Corona Del Mar didn't know anything about this issue, but he sure knew about the new Crosswalk that lights up.
But because their Neighborhoods have not become Institutionalized, it doesn't affect them.
Even the elected representatives, since it's not an issue in their districts, they have been silent.
Take a look at the City Council, and try to remember if you heard a peep about this from any of them other than Former Mayor Rosansky and the Peninsula's representative Michael Henn.
Take a look at when Bob Rush was going after Former City Attorney Bob Burnham. Only Steve Rosansky was responding while the others sat quietly...letting Steve sink on his own...
While in the midst of it one time, Steve even turned to his colleagues and asked "A Little Help Here?"
No help there.
Now, Republican Party of Orange County Chairman Scott Baugh has penned his little commentary about why there are "Distorted Perceptions of Rehab Issues."
It's his job, working as a consultant for Sober Living by the Sea, to work with the City Council (and staff) to create "compromise."
But most likely "Compromise" won't occur.
Why?
Consider that Mayor Pro-Tem Leslie Daigle, as the Deputy Chairwoman of Newport Beach for the Republican Party of Orange County, has been working on and getting accolades for other issues, but she is the only one, if you lined up all 6 "Republican" City Councilmembers in front of Scott Baugh, who would actually be recognized by Scott, and vice versa. Longshot that Councilman Keith Curry might...
So why hasn't Leslie taken the reigns of this issue and start negotiating a "Compromise" with Scott Baugh and Sober Living by the Sea?
Before answering that question, how many rehab/sober living homes are in her District?
Not many...
It's not an issue there.
The Airport is. The Back Bay is. I've seen her name associated with those two issues.
I have not seen her name associated with this issue.
But don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that the other Councilmembers don't care about this issue. They've heard the stories, they've toured the homes, but they and their District don't live it. Not like Corona Del Mar/Santa Ana Heights/Balboa Island (amongst many other parts of the City) LIVE the Airport issue. They don't have 4 within 1/2 mile of their young children. They don't have 4 on their street.
They don't have 100-175 in their Neighborhood.
If they did, then lawsuit or not, the City Council would be dropping the hammer on the Sober Living/Rehab Home issue, and would be in the corner, gloves dropped and waiting for the fight.
Instead, we are going to get an ordinance that will upset both vocal few AND the Rehab Home operators.
So until it become an issue for the REST of Newport Beach...it won't be an issue for the rest of Newport Beach.
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