Commentary: Banning Ranch project has one important element

I suppose (rather glumly) that the Banning Ranch development will eventually be rubber-stamped into reality.

After all, who would stand in face of “a home run” for Newport Beach and Costa Mesa residents?

And who’d ever oppose a project that would “allow for open space, growth and vitality.” Gee, I thought it was already an open space!

Yep, nothing says growth and vitality like procuring precious property on the Pacific and paving it for the privileged.

With a development such as Banning Ranch, there are so many factors to consider, so many considerations to factor. Only the California Coastal Commission and God (to a much lesser extent) truly know what’s best for all of us Newport Beach residents.

But, in the midst of so much speculation, conjecture, skepticism and an apparent lack of any real justification to support the existence of Banning Ranch, Mike Reicher’s article, “Banning Ranch faces vote” (July 24), succinctly explains the proposed development’s quintessence: “... approval would essentially ensure [1,375] future homes would get valuable Newport Beach addresses.”

Well, darn it all! Who could with clear conscience stand against such necessity?

With apologies to the late, great Janis Joplin:

“Oh Lord, won’t you give me a Newport address?

A Costa Mesa ZIP code would be a mess

Been vain all my lifetime, won’t settle for less

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a Newport address?

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a view of the sea?

No amount of money is too much for me

Away from the common man I want to be

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a view of the sea?

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a life in that town?

Newport Beach is a city of world renown!

My friends’ll adore me watching the sun go down.

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a life in that town?

Oh Lord, won’t you give me a Newport address?

A Costa Mesa ZIP code will not impress

There’s little of me to love, I must confess

So Lord, won’t you give me a Newport address?

CURT HONINGFORD lives in West Newport.