How about a Dredge to nowhere?

Lobbyists and Special Interests! As a campaign
slogan it is something that lights up the scoreboard of political
discussion. It reminds us of how bad drugs, energy prices and
foreign companies get inside our government and how those crazy
add-ons to various Legislation happens. The answer some say to
this is to cut out those crazy "EarMarks" that dot the landscape
of this Legislation provided between holiday breaks in the action.

Recently, Congressman John Campbell has been on a rant all about
halting the "EarMark" process. Now, considering we brought that
up to Congressman Mike Pence about two years ago....while he was
visiting out here.....we fully agree that "Bridges to Nowhere",
"Swimming Pools for certain City Clubs in Mississippi!" and other
unceremonious abuses of the Federal Trust.....are not only very
ridiculous but pernicious pay-offs to local supporters and various
organizations. As Tip O'Neil said: "All politics is local!"

Now, having said all that....we cannot broach the issue of our
Back Bay Dredging Project...without mentioning that through these
many years and basically since the furious 1950's Newport Beach;
The County of Orange, The State of California and the United States
Federal Government have had to clear Navigational Channels, unclog
the growing mounds of trash flowing down San Diego Creek and even
to clear various riparian growths...just to make sure that our
brothers and sisters in the upstream cities of Orange County are
able to get their house paints, insecticides, fertilizers, car
oils/solvents and other not so appetizing tripe that flows down
to the wonderful Back Bay of Newport Beach. Our point is that
this is not a Newport Beach problem...it is a Regional, fare to
say Federal or at worst State problem. It goes on, day after day,
year after year, unabated. This is not new news! This should not
be a hard sell to anyone. Where is our Governor? Where are the
Supervisors of "The OC"? Why were former Congressmen Chris Cox
and Bob Badham easily able to meet the challenge of getting our
Dredging cash out of the Federal Government and Congressman
Campbell...can't? Councilman Curry said he went to Washington,
(Good job sir!) but that someone won't give us the money that
was allocated for the Dredgin purpose! Was that Pelosi?

Tuesday, the City Council of Newport Beach will vote on whether
we need to hire a Washington Lobbyist for $50,000 to see if they
can spend enough in free lunches with members of Congress for
them to finally offer us money for Dredging we have gotten in
every previous year in memory...be it Democrat or Republican
Administration in charge! Instead, we suggest a very nice letter
to President Bush, Governor Arnold and maybe even Nancy Pelosi
asking them to take care of our Back Bay...as required by the
Federal Government.....for over 50 years! Lobbyists? Hey, we
will volunteer for just an Honorable Mention. In fact, let the
City Council make a call for about 5,000 Newport Beach voters
and citizens to just write a letter. The City could then post
a sample letter to their website..so people could quickly assail
all the facts and information.

Nah, that might be too cost effective. Let's hire lots and lots of
Lobbyists....so then maybe we could get a "Dredge to Nowhere!" In
any event, Dredging is not going away...and we need to insure that
we have funds every year....not just this year! Why do we have the
feeling...that if we hire a Lobbyist for this purpose we will soon
be employing many more soon?