“He was a profound thinker, a renowned...

“He was a profound thinker, a renowned theologian and an exceptional

leader. He captivated the world.”

The Rev. Monsignor Lawrence Baird, spokesman for the Roman

Catholic Diocese of Orange and administrator for St. John Vianney

Chapel and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newport Beach, on the

death of Pope John Paul II.

“If we were Americans, they would send people to train us, to get

some skills. Mostly we are Latinos. I guess that’s the problem.”

Arturo Hernandez, a worker who uses the Costa Mesa Job Center to

find employment, on the threatened closure of the facility by the

City Council.

“We can’t discuss how many people were on the boat at the time.

But we believe they were overpowered, handcuffed, weighted down and

thrown in the water alive.”

Newport Beach Lt. Steve Shulman, on the alleged murders of Tom and

Jackie Hawks, who have been missing since November after meeting with

prospective buyers for their yacht moored in Newport Harbor.

“I think it’s unnecessary and expensive, and therefore, it takes

money away from the classroom.”

Pete Meslin, director of transportation for Newport-Mesa Unified

School District, on a state law that requires all school buses

purchased after July 1 to be equipped with lap-shoulder belts.

“I walked into the room and saw 400 men. I thought to myself,

‘What am I doing here?’”

Jean Ardell, a Corona del Mar resident and author of “Breaking

into Baseball: Women and the National Pastime,” on being invited to

speak at convention of the Society for American Baseball Research.

“Once upon a time, the University of California gave me an

enduring gift -- an excellent education. It has lasted my whole

life.”

Paul Merage, philanthropist and Newport Coast resident, for whom

the UC Irvine Business School was renamed in honor of his

unprecedented $30-million endowment.