Irvine Cares Enough to Listen
Why did I speak at the Irvine City Council Meeting this week where they passed the Animal Welfare Ordinance? I bought my dog at Russo’s in Irvine and he had some serious hereditary medical problems. He was bred at a puppy mill in Iowa and Russo’s didn’t take responsibility. I’m not an activist, but what Russo’s did was wrong.
The Irvine City Council meeting was an interesting contrast to my recent experience of our own Newport Beach City Council. Over the past several months, a neighbor’s remodel brought me to speak before our Council. After I spoke, the only response from the Council was a request for staff to comment. In this case, the City Attorney took the opportunity to dismiss me by saying, “I don’t know where Mrs. Peters gets her information.” It was not exactly a “Thank you for your comments,” and I would go so far as to say it was rude and disrespectful.
Contrast this to last night’s Irvine meeting. The first difference I noticed was staff at the door to assist visitors with a card for speakers to submit. They graciously explained the process. When the public comment time arrived and my name was called, I felt as if my comment was truly welcome. Each speaker was thanked as they finished; the process was civil and respectful.
So when I hear that our Council doesn’t even want to consider a ban on trash bags, let alone puppy mills, I wonder, are the citizens really getting any say here? Our Council needs to pay better attention to how they treat input from the public. And while they’re at it, it would serve them well if they saw themselves more in the role of public servants.
It was refreshing to hear Irvine express concern about being a good and humane city to live in. What makes a good city? Does a world class City Hall make us a good city? Does a vital Senior Center do it? Maybe the redevelopment of Lido Village is the ticket?
I think a good city listens to what its citizens have to say, and I think Newport Beach has a ways to go to be considered a good city.
