Cleaning the desk, clearing the cache

STEVE SMITH

Every so often, issues build up, and it takes a column to get a few

topics out of the way. So, consider this multi-topic edition a way to

clean up my desk.

The first order of business is to welcome Jason and Jennifer

Dupuis to Newport-Mesa. The Dupuises have moved here from Tustin, and

after they are finished painting their baseboards and unpacking

boxes, they’ll be hitting the towns.

*

At least one politician has wasted no time in suggesting a local

advantage to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that cities may

exercise the power of eminent domain in a far greater range than ever

before.

To suggest, as Costa Mesa City Councilman Eric Bever has, that

eminent domain may be a viable solution to the folly that is Triangle

Square is one of the most reckless attempts at abuse of power that

has been witnessed in a long time.

Eminent domain is to be used in extreme, rare and otherwise

exceptional instances where a public works project is so urgently

needed to further the common good that it is necessary to displace

the private property that stands in its way. In the 20 years I have

lived in Costa Mesa, I can recall next to no instances where eminent

domain has been exercised; one was to widen Victoria Street.

Eminent domain is not to be used to hasten the demise of a poorly

run business. Triangle Square is, in my opinion, a poorly run

business. It so happens that the city has a number of poorly run

businesses. The difference is that Triangle Square occupies some

prime real estate, and its failure to make a proper return on the

investment is that much larger because of its location.

The blame for Triangle Square’s troubles does not lie solely with

the landlord. It was a host of city officials, from the Planning

Commission to the City Council, who many years ago approved this

project. And apparently, they did so without securing a long-term

marketing plan that would ensure that the owner or owners would

dedicate the necessary resources to maintaining the proper occupancy.

For example: If a bank loans money to a new business, one of the

requirements is that the business develop a marketing plan to help it

flourish. Without marketing, no business can survive.

So either the city of Costa Mesa did not require an ongoing

marketing program from the owner of Triangle Square or the one it

approved is inadequate. Either way, the city cannot run from its

share of the responsibility for this debacle.

Finally, it should be noted that there is one huge advantage that

the current configuration of Triangle Square offers to all readers.

It is, perhaps, the best-kept secret in either Newport Beach or Costa

Mesa.

My family will be upset that I am writing this, but I want you to

know it: The theaters at Triangle Square are your best option to see

a hot new movie. On the first weekend that “War of the Worlds”

debuted, Cay and I sat at a 5 p.m. Saturday showing with about 25

other people.

*

The Fourth of July came and went and the city of Costa Mesa did

not burn to the ground. Continuing a point I will continue to make

each time the local hand wringers trot out their silly arguments for

discontinuing private fireworks, I will guess that the damage

inflicted by the consumption of alcohol on the Fourth far exceeded

that of the fireworks. The big difference is that alcohol is allowed

every day of the year, yet there are no plans to stop its consumption

in Costa Mesa, nor should there be. Unless the city council decides

to ban fireworks.

*

If you visit the website for AirFair, https://www.jwairfair.com,

you will be encouraged to join an e-mail list to support the worthy

cause of maintaining the current caps on the number of flights and

passengers out of John Wayne Airport. You will see the latest news on

the progress of the expansion, and you will see frequently asked

questions.

What you will not see, at least as far as I could determine, is

any mention of an airport at El Toro to assist in limiting the

traffic at John Wayne.

It seems AirFair has found the key to keeping John Wayne’s limits

static.

*

This last note is one of commendation for the past and present

Costa Mesa City Council members who had a hand in developing the new

skateboard park on Arlington Avenue. The day I visited it, there were

at least 30 kids using it, and it was orderly and fun.

Unfortunately, too many of them did not have the required elbow

and knee pads, but that’s another issue, one that does not lessen the

tremendous value of this addition to the city.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer.

Readers may write to him at dailypilot@latmes.com.