Daily Pilot:  05.31.03

This letter to the editor appeared in the Daily Pilot, Sunday May 31th, 2003:

The Target Is West Newport This July

Were we at the same meeting, or did Mayor Steve Bromberg and Councilman Tod Ridgeway succeed in their campaign of disinformation ("Newport Beach City Council Wrap-up," Thursday)?  Maybe you just enjoy my letters.

The paper reported: "The ordinance will now prohibit stores from selling liquor out of their parking lots or from trucks, tents or booths during the holiday.  The rules apply throughout the city."

In reality, the new law actually prohibits stores from selling or storing alcohol outdoors, throughout the Fourth of July.  This is an important one, since it is in addition to their previous ordinance that prohibits them from accepting alcohol deliveries on the Fourth of July.

So, no alcohol storage, no alcohol deliveries.  Do the math.  They're stopping just shy of prohibition.

If their goal is not to "dry up West Newport" this Fourth of July, then what is it?

Bryan Clarkson

FreeNewport.com