Mayor's Corner

By: Mayor Will O’Neill

Around five years ago, a sixth grader from Newport Coast Elementary School came to our city council meeting to speak during public comment.  

In my eight years on city council, I can remember a handful of public comments vividly.  Some because they’re hateful (referencing my kids, for example), some because they’re emotional, and some because of their simple impacts. This little girl’s public comments still stick with me.

As part of her sixth-grade school project, she had been tasked with making the community a better place. Her sister, it turned out, had some pretty severe disabilities that did not allow her to stay in a swing. But her sister loved to swing.  

It also turned out that there are swings designed specifically for boys and girls just like this girl’s sister.  Known as an ADA Swing, these swings have molded seats with a pull-down plastic piece that goes over the shoulders (much like a roller coaster).  

Newport Beach did not have any swings like this in our city, unlike other surrounding cities.  This little girl came to us during public comment and identified the problem, explained the real world application, and offered the solution.  (Which is truly the formula for a great public comment.)

Not long after, she met with our Recreation & Senior Services Department Director.  And shortly after that, we had our first ADA swing installed in Coastal Peak Park (up in Newport Coast).  

I saw that little girl (now, a young lady in high school) recently because our city is about to redesign San Miguel Park to be a fully-inclusive park. She was once again participating in community outreach and finding ways to make our parks a better place for her sister and others.

If a sixth grade student can make that big an impact by being a positive force, we certainly can too.

Mayor Will O’Neill is serving in his second term as Mayor of Newport Beach. 
Follow on IG @realwilloneill