REBUTTAL

The Daily Pilot still doesn’t get it.

While I agree with your July 15 editorial’s headline, “Library

Foundation deserves support,” an accurate accounting of the story would

have made a strong message.

Agreed, the foundation’s audit revealed no serious wrongdoings. But

that audit, the foundation’s first in five years, would never have

happened without the urgings from the library’s board of trustees.

And as a result of the audit, the foundation could understand how much

of its approximately $1.5-million donor funds was in which account. It

could file understandable financial reports, specify the cost of raising

funds and thus move forward -- on solid footing -- with its mission of

providing supplemental money for the Newport Beach Library.

To say that the trustees’ concern in this matter was an “ego-propelled

battle for more power and control” is pure editorial nonsense on the part

of the Daily Pilot. Their unanimous efforts were motivated solely by a

desire to protect money that had been donated to the library and to

assure future funds would be accurately accounted for.

Both objectives, the trustees firmly believe, were accomplished.

It’s unfortunate the foundation lost members as a result of this

issue. Blame for the fall off could possibly go to the Daily Pilot for

its uneven and sensationalized reporting of this serious matter.

But as one who was as close to this dispute as anyone, I know

firsthand the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation is now a stronger

organization than it was a year ago. Because of this, my wife and I have

renewed our membership and increased the amount of our annual

contribution.

As a reader of the Daily Pilot for more than 35 years, I think

coverage of this issue was not one of your finest hours.

JIM WOOD

Newport Beach