Harbor Patrol and Marine Safety teams will be out on the water to safeguard boaters during an unofficial Christmas boat parade planned for next week in Newport Beach, but it is unclear if other city support will be provided.
More than 200 boats are expected to participate in the parade around Newport Harbor – dubbed by the organizers as “Let Freedom Ring.” It is scheduled for Dec. 17-19 and will follow the same route as the 112th annual parade would have if it wasn’t canceled by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce amid the recent surge of coronavirus cases and increased state restrictions on gatherings and businesses to curb the spread.
Orange County, along with the rest of Southern California, triggered a regional stay-at-home order this week with declining intensive care unit availability. The order limits restaurants to take-away service, limits capacity in retail stores and prohibits large private gatherings, but does allow outdoor recreation.
Councilman Kevin Muldoon said the majority of the council’s support at this week’s meeting to continue a discussion of the city having a roll in the unofficial parade – even though it won’t be on an agenda until after the event – showed the interest in having the brightly lit boats cruising through the harbor to celebrate the season.
“It’s how you convey in an open, transparent and clear manner that you’d like staff to provide resources to assist this boat parade,” Muldoon said of his intent to get public council feedback by discussing it at the meeting. “It’s not symbolic. It’s a Brown Act compliant way to make it clear to staff that this is what the majority of the council would like. I think this shows my colleagues continue to find a way to be considerate of the tradition and our ability to exercise our rights.”
Muldoon said he would like to see city staff – the Police Department and Public Works – participate in a similar way as what they have done in previous years.
“I’d like to see the same first responder and law enforcement assistance as in past years, but on a probably smaller scale,” he said. “Especially, since there will not be ceremonial events such as the tree lighting or the grand marshal ceremonies.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol will be on the water to enforce boater safety, but will not lead the parade as it has traditionally for decades.
“In our view, it is not supported by the city,” said Lt. Chris Corn.
The city’s Harbor Department and Newport Beach Marine Safety will also have vessels out.
“Any coordinated movement on water at night is inherently dangerous,” said John Pope, spokesman for the city. “We expect residents and visitors to enjoy the event responsibly. Given that this isn’t a city-sponsored event, we encourage everyone to social distance, which is easily accomplished outdoors on the water.”
Councilwoman Joy Brenner opposed Muldoon’s call for the council to agendize discussing support of the parade, saying the effort was “ridiculous.”
“By voting for it, all it means is that we’re bringing it back to talk about it in January,” she said. “It was a meaningless vote and it was a grandstanding play.
“They are more concerned about political optics than how a large event will impact our citizens,” she said. “I’m concerned about the fact that I can’t protect my constituents and that’s my job.”
Brenner said she worries about the people who may be drawn from outside the community to see the boats. During a typical year, she said the boardwalk on Balboa Island and the peninsula are so packed that most locals don’t even come out of their homes to watch the parade.
“I think people should be out on their boats for the whole month instead of going out for just such a short time,” she said.
A group of local boaters and business owners who call themselves We the People have organized the unofficial parade.
Caroline Wetherington, one of the organizers, said on Thursday, she was happy with what she took as the council’s de facto nod of approval, though she felt it could have been stronger. The Balboa Island resident, who will participate in the parade on her 62-foot Italian yacht, said she was initially concerned the most recent regional stay-at-home order might influence the council.
“Before they met, we were in contact with the key players,” she said. “They decided to tread lightly while still unofficially supporting our parade. I’m happy they are supporting us.”
Wetherington said she also appreciates the fact that Harbor Patrol will be out to ensure safety. But, what she’s most excited about is that a professional company from Huntington Beach has stepped forward and will livestream the parade.
“That way some people can stay in their living rooms and watch it,” she said. “I feel so blessed that everyone is stepping up and wanting to help. We would have done it anyway, even without council support. The ultimate goal is to have a good time and be safe.”
https://goo.gl/hYDEHJ
No comments:
Post a Comment