Changing tunes not music to ears

Ernie Hatchell

Regarding the Pilot’s Friday story, “Candidate tough to endorse, some

say,” Newport Beach now has its own flip-flopper. Councilman John

Heffernan, a candidate for reelection, is setting a record for flip-

flopping that comes close to that of John Kerry.

Heffernan announced midway through his first term in office that

he would resign. A short time later, he announced that he would stay

and finish out his term and then no longer seek public office.

More recently, Heffernan again announced that he would not run for

reelection, but 15 minutes before the filing deadline, Heffernan’s

application was filed. Then Heffernan announced at the Central

Newport Assn. Candidates Forum on Sept. 23 that he would not accept

any endorsements. However, he has allegedly said he would accept the

firefighters’ union endorsement.

In keeping with the annual public employees endorsements of the

council’s business candidates -- who tend to increase the high annual

salaries of firefighters -- they will likely endorse Heffernan.

Heffernan had previously announced to the people conducting the

Little Balboa Candidates Forum that he would appear only in the

televised West Newport Forum. Now, he seems to be speaking at many

more.

How can one trust an elected official who can’t make a decision

and stick with it? If he wins reelection, will he flip-flop again and

resign so another puppet appointment may be made in his place? Why

risk it?

Fortunately, his opponent, Dolores Otting, is a competent,

knowledgeable and energetic lady who will better -- and more

consistently -- represent the interests of the city residents. I will

vote for her.

* ERNIE HATCHELL is a resident of Newport Beach.