EDITORIAL

When the slow-growth Greenlight measure first was proposed, Newport

Beach city leaders present and past echoed a single thought: Only a

small, vocal minority supported it.

Then the November election came and two-thirds of voters threw their

support behind the idea that the city was developing, expanding and

overcrowding a little too fast for their comfort.

Now, another issue has come up, and again a small, vocal group is

leading the charge to shut it down. Only this time, the City Council is

listening to the opposition to a proposed arts and education center on

open land behind the central library.

On Tuesday, the council is set to vote on whether it will even

consider further study of the plan, which most likely would include a

survey of residents as suggested by the city’s arts commission. It looks

to be a close decision, one that still could go either way.

It shouldn’t be, however, because council members have nothing to lose

by simply continuing to look at the plan.

They won’t lose city money -- an anonymous donor has pledgedmoney to

the arts commission to pay for the survey.

They won’t lose a piece of open land -- the council can make sure the

12 acres stay clear while the debate continues.

And they shouldn’t be afraid of losing the public’s support -- if the

survey is done correctly. And they have the power, plus the

responsibility, to direct it.

Clearly, the survey should not ask only: “Are you in favor of an arts

and education center in Newport Beach?” That answer is obvious. Questions

about whether a center should be put on one of the city’s last remaining

piece of open space need to be included. Only then will the results be

commanding.

Council members should want those results, which amount to a vote they

don’t even have to pay for. After all, city leaders badly misjudged the

public sentiment behind Greenlight. It would be a shame if they

miscalculated the pulse of the community again.