“When I saw the van pull up...

“When I saw the van pull up and the guys in the masks, I knew they

were going to rob the store. They were wearing Halloween-type white

ghost masks with something black over their eyes.”

-- Ray Cruz, who was eating lunch Thursday on Lido Isle when a

jewelry store next door was robbed.

“It is unfortunate that the City Council spent hundreds of

thousands of dollars on a project they apparently had no intention of

following up on. Unfortunately, the City Council never laid out any

plan with which to promote the project. A project without a plan

engenders fear, and that is what we got.”

-- Eric Bever, Costa Mesa activist, reacting to the City Council’s

decision not to expand a redevelopment area.

“They’re using our yard to hose down the fire,” “This is shocking.

This was a very quiet and safe neighborhood -- till today.”

-- Carol Ludmir, Newport Beach resident, as firefighters battled a

blaze set by a home intruder.

“The demand is so well established, and a site has been

established that’s so viable. So to divert it to look at other sites

is not fair to skaters.”

-- Jim Gray, skate park advocate, arguing against Costa Mesa

looking at more than one site for a park until a first one is built.

“I suggest we appoint, swear in and seat the new council member

that same night,”

-- Steve Bromberg, Newport Beach mayor, on how to fill the

council’s empty seat.

“I usually go to the Vons on 17th Street. But I believe the

union’s demands are fair. I have to respect that.”

-- Judy Cookson, a Newport Beach resident, on the grocery store

strike.

“I haven’t run into any CEO in Orange County who wasn’t

unequivocal in support for KOCE.”

-- Dwight Decker, CEO of Conexant, who was behind effort to keep

the station public.