Sounding Off:

Balboa Island has always been and continues to be a harmonious community of civic-minded citizens and caring neighbors with a genuine “live and let live” philosophy — one big happy family.

The current turmoil created by the initiative to put utilities underground is out of character for this wonderful community and reflective of the general environment of mistrust of all politicians, political process and the financial community at large.

If one is permitted to cut through the fog of exaggerated and self-serving claims and counter claims on both sides of the issue, particularly relating to safety, the bottom line very simply stated is this: A few years ago, when the economy was booming, the homeowners of Balboa Island were polled to see if they would be interested in putting the unsightly utilities underground for what we now know was a “teaser rate” of about $10,000 per home, and they voted “yes.” Now, in the midst of a financial melt-down, we are being asked to pay more than twice the original estimate. Mayor Ed Selich says the City Council has not scrutinized the costs, and yet its promoters call it a “once in a lifetime” deal.

Selich says the City Council is not permitted by Southern California Edison to scrutinize or question the costs of this great deal, and yet its promoters want us to accept this cost on good faith. Simply put, this is a “take it or leave it” proposition.

A vast majority of us are in favor of beautifying our island. However, for many of us, the price is not right, particularly in these bad economic times. Please join us in defeating this ill-timed, over-priced, highly secretive proposal, even if you are one of those fortunate enough to afford it at this time.

It would be the right thing to do. Do not be a willing accomplice in what clearly is a bureaucratic process gone awry.

We will have other opportunities to do this and do it for the right price, notwithstanding scare-mongering to the contrary.

It is ironic that the only true winner, if this passes, will be Southern California Edison who will continue to claim they prefer to keep the wires above ground, as they go laughing all the way to the bank.

Please vote no.

JAMSHED DASTUR lives in Newport Beach.