Newport Tea Party Calls Dock Hikes 'Reckless'

The Newport Mesa Tea Party Patriots this week took a stance in opposition of the increased dock rents, according to a report in the Daily Pilot.

Group founder Tom Pollitt announced the group's position against the controversial fee hikes in a released statement. The fee increases were approved by the Newport Beach City Council in January, and hiked from a flat $100 a year to 52.5 cents per square foot.

"We view the reckless taxing and spending by the Newport Beach City Council as a threat to the liberty of its residents," Pollitt said in the statement. "Old Newport conservatives like John Wayne and Barry Goldwater would be appalled at the bloated and intrusive bureaucracy of Newport."

In February the Newport Beach Dock Owners Association filed a lawsuit against the city claiming Newport officials violated the state’s open government law by holding informal meetings on the dock fees without proper public notice. The city denied the allegations.

Newport Beach officials said the increased dock rents will be maintain the Newport Harbor.

Read the full story on the Daily Pilot.

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