Concern remains, strategy changes

Concerned Citizens of Newport Beach, an organization that has avidly opposed the over-concentration of group rehab homes in the city, shifted its purpose and strategy this week by dismissing or settling nearly all its lawsuits with group home operators and instead beginning a charge to replace all the incumbent City Council members running for reelection this November.

“We are going to move to action and devote our resources so we are more focused on community education so we can get the right leadership in control of our local government,” Concerned Citizens leader Denys Oberman said.

The group will devote its resources to preparing and supporting candidates against incumbents Ed Selich, Steve Rosansky and Keith Curry, Oberman said.

Concerned Citizens has yet to formally endorse any candidate, but Oberman said the group already has many members who are supporting Dolores Otting against Curry.

She promised more candidates are to come as the group interviews potential contenders.

“The Concerned Citizens sued the taxpayers of Newport Beach to the tune of $250 million, have counseled us to take an unwise and legally questionable approach to the issue of group homes, and now that their legal strategy has failed, it is not surprising they would latch onto Dolores Otting to advance their aims,” Curry said.

Rosansky also defended his record on the issue, citing numerous efforts he has made to offer solutions, foster discussion and work with both sides to forge compromises.

Rosansky helped organize a conference concerning the issue of group homes that was attended by representatives of more than 100 cities, and he also worked with state Sen. Tom Harman on legislation concerning the issue.

“That conference wouldn’t have happened unless I had made it happen and I thought it was very instructive and valuable, and Oberman attended that conference,” he said. “It strikes me as funny that I am labeled as being anti-resident when I have spent significant time and energy on this issue and I seem to get no credit from the group home activists on that.”

In addition to changing its political aims, Concerned Citizens dropped its lawsuits in hopes it will see the city follow through on its promises concerning group homes, including abatements on those group homes the organization calls illegal, Oberman said.