CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

CdM Meeting Draws Crowd, Officials

About 70 people gathered Wednesday night at the OASIS Senior Center for a community meeting that covered everything from the November election to safety concerns in Corona del Mar.

The Corona del Mar Residents Association hosted the meeting, which typically would have been a candidates forum for City Council candidates running in the Nov. 6 election. But this year, all three candidates — incumbents Ed Selich and Keith Curry, who both represent parts of Corona del Mar, and newcomer Tony Petros — are running unopposed. So organizers planned a community meeting, with more emphasis on public safety and village projects as well as election discussions.

They also addressed the one ballot measure in Newport Beach this election — Measure EE, which would amend the city’s charter.

City officials, including Mayor Nancy Gardner and Curry, urge yes votes on the measure, which would make 38 changes to the city’s charter. Changes include a ban on red-light traffic enforcement cameras and a ban on class-action lawsuits against the city, as well as making language gender-neutral, allowing just one City Council meeting in August and December and more.

Proponent Paul Glowienke, who served on a committee that considered the changes, said the Measure would save tax dollars. But opponent Robert Hawkins said that 38 changes bundled into one measure were too many to ask voters to decide with one vote.

“That’s enough to reject, you don’t have to think about anything else,” he said.

The meeting began with coffee and snacks from Vin Goat and a chance for residents to talk to fire and police officials, members of the city’s Bicycle Safety Committee, city officials and more.