Monday, December 29, 2008

New Years 2009!

Although 2008 has been one of the most shocking in American
history...the City of Newport Beach seems unfazed. Our trash
is still picked up, our Firefighters still travel to other
locals to help our their brothers in arms....like Yorba Linda.
Our Police Department continues to "do its thing" and people
continually are stopped or ticketed when appropriate. Our
lights remain on most of the time, the Gas still heats our
homes and we still fight constantly with our Cable provider
to somehow get the NFL Network. The weather remains mostly
mild, but this winter has been inordinately colder in our
recollection.

Yes, Newport Beach still argues about silly stuff like "who
will be the Mayor", or how that process should work in a
Charter City. They still find ways not to implement strong
Rehab Housing rules, while Homer Bludau our wonderful City
Managers continues to send out enlightening newsletters.
Thanks Homer!

So, what do we have to complain about? Oh, we can always
find something. Like our 48th District Congressman that
voted for the Federal Bail Out, but can't find us a few
baubles to dredge our back bay. Hey, this last election
was so close that the Democrats (Those avowed so!) almost
beat the Republicans....across the board.

How will the election of Barack Obama as our President
change Newport Beach? Well, he will probably be spending
as much time as he can in Honolulu and Newport Beach...
he is a beach guy, as everyone knows! Maybe he can get
us the money to dredge our Newport Bay.

The Financial/Real Estate/Banking/Pension funds/Retirement
Funds/Mutual Funds/Investment Group World meltdown has
had its effects. Rents are down in Newport Beach and so
are Real Estate Values. Those $10 Million dollar homes
are even being shopped around at levels of $7 Million or
even less. The traditional Condo Market has fallen like
a rock and stand alone old time housing is static on the
priceline! Those SPEC Houses that developer built.....
before the bubble can't even be rented.....cause the rent
they want is "way high"!

And what about all our celebrities in Newport Beach? We
have plenty.....but they are keeping a very low profile.
Poor Leigh Steinberg, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Henry
Samueli, Mike Scioscia.......wishing them all a very great
2009 as well.

So, for the "Few, the Proud and the Resilient" who read
Newport Voices and for those with the temerity to actually
participate and make comments.....we salute you! Truth is
a terrible thing to waste. What about the swan dive by
Bret Favre at the Jets? What about Joe Torre and the LA
Dodgers...will they bring Manny back? So many questions:
So little time!

Wishing all the citizens of Newport Beach a powerfully
successful year, that the price of crude oil stays low or
lower, that certain stocks stay solvent, that not too many
retailers go out of business, that not too many people lose
their jobs and that the State of California save us all
without raising taxes! Some big wishes we know!
Happy New Year to all....

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