MAILBAG - Aug. 19, 1999
BATTERY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CHIROPRACTOR SURPRISING
It was with great sadness that I read about the allegations made against
Steven Wesley Lovell [Police arrest Newport Beach chiropractor for sexual
battery,” Aug. 13].
I had the occasion to visit maybe three or four different chiropractors
for one or two sessions each (for a variety of ailments) before going to
Dr. Lovell for treatment. All were similar -- a quick assessment, a few
adjustments to the neck, and you’re on your way -- with or without
relief.
I first visited Dr. Lovell in 1994 when I had severe shoulder and arm
pain due to a pinched nerve. Traditional doctors (neurosurgeons) wanted
to operate -- no other options available. Dr. Lovell became aware of my
condition through our church. He approached me and expressed an interest
in helping me.
We entered intense therapy (four times a week) during which time he
devoted a whole hour each time to massage and stretching therapy -- never
even once interested in the traditional “neck crack.” He showed
incredible insight into how the body, bones, joints, muscles are an
interconnected unit. It was amazing how stretching and massage work at
one body point could relieve a symptom in another point of the body.
My pains subsided, and I regained the strength in my left arm. I’m now
fully functional -- which I attribute to Dr. Lovell’s treatment.
I’ve gotten to know Steve and Pam Lovell better over the past several
years. He may be a little unorthodox in his appearance, the presentation
of his office, or the way he runs his business, but he is the real deal
-- honest, caring, sacrificing for his patients.
We need more people like him who are genuine, honest and sincere and not
worried about money, image and prestige, etc.
I write this only to share my very positive experience with Dr. Steve
Lovell.
TIM DAUMNewport Beach
I’m calling regarding Greg Risling’s article about the arrest Steve
Lovell. First of all, I think the article is completely irresponsible in
that it shows no other side. It does state the fact that Steve Lovell was
arrested, but he has not been convicted. I think at least what could be
done is some follow-up and some research on the history of this man’s
practice.
I’ve been a patient of his for eight years. I know many people in Newport
Beach who have been [patients] for up to 20 years. His treatment is
somewhat alternative, and maybe people unfamiliar with serious body work
could have assumed the worst. So, I would talk to anybody, but I really
think you should follow up on the story. This man has a family in
Newport, and his life is ruined.
RICKI BLUSTEIN
Newport Coast
PUBLIC SCHOOL NOT A FORUM FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY
That is quite an agenda student body president Brad Craig has for the
upcoming school year -- to promote a more “Christian atmosphere” around
school [The Future of Faith, “Leading the way,” Aug. 14].
Am I missing something here? I was under the assumption that my tax
dollars were going to improving the public school curriculum and teaching
programs, not underwriting a religious agenda. If Brad Craig wants a more
Christian atmosphere, perhaps he should consider transferring to a
parochial school.
This is very scary for those of us nonChristians who still believe in
freedom of religion and separation of church and state. I realize the
line becomes very blurry for Christians who think their religion is the
only one that matters. However, what is his suggestion for those students
who are not Christian? And don’t tell me that they can feel free to
practice their religion as they wish on campus. This is why we have
churches. Has it occurred to anyone that school is for education and not
religious teaching?
Religious leaders should be banned from high school campuses. The
statement from Mark Howerton that he hangs out with students, buys them
lunch, and of course loves them is appalling. Are they teaching these
students anything about tolerance for other religions? Or is it just
another example of isolating the nonbelievers?
With all the hate crimes that have happened this year, isn’t it time to
teach tolerance above all and to respect other people’s beliefs even if
they are not yours? Isn’t it time to stop making people of other
religions feel like outsiders?
Brad Craig’s agenda is just making cliques and ostracizing students under
the guise of religion. This has gone on for centuries, and it is
apparently still alive and well at Newport Harbor High.
RHODA FRIEDMAN
Newport Beach
PLANNING DEPARTMENT SHARES BLAME IN SAMOA MISHAP
Did Tracy Stevenson and Joseph Warner of Costa Mesa think no one in their
neighborhood would notice the immense impacts their proposed three-story
house would have on their predominantly single-story residential
neighborhood [Letter to the Editor, “Family followed codes in building
attic,” Aug. 12]? While it is true that they have every right to remodel
their house fitting to their wants, the neighborhood also has every right
to protest development projects that are ill-fitting to the wants of the
community.
Shame on the city of Costa Mesa Planning Department for sleeping on the
job. They are equally responsible for upsetting the community by allowing
permits to be issued on the project, and they should be held responsible
for the costs to correct their mistake.
Planning departments at large need to get out of their office and into
the communities they represent to better gauge what is aesthetically
pleasing to a community, and the community should sacrifice TV time to
attend council and community meetings to prevent such occurrences and
reinforce the strengths of their neighborhoods.
RUSSELL NIEWIAROWSKISanta Ana Heights
COMMUNITY MEETING WOULD EASE BISON AVENUE TENSIONS
OK, so the Bison Avenue changes will stand indefinitely. Get over it,
people [Readers Respond, “Residents split on Bison Avenue changes,” Aug.
10].
I agree wholeheartedly with both the gentleman and with Mary Foster, who
are in tune to the reality that in a few very short weeks, we will be
faced with a dangerous situation in our neighborhood (the Bluffs). The
past six years, I have stood by and watched the daily a.m. traffic on
Eastbluff Drive and Vista del Oro while waiting to put my son on the bus
to Lincoln Elementary. Over that period, I witnessed the careless driving
habits of some parents and teens alike, rushing to Corona del Mar High
School as well as Queen of Angels. Both schools start at roughly the same
time.
This year, since the only available route to Eastbluff Elementary will be
using the same streets and intersection, the traffic will get only worse.
The stop sign installed on that corner was an improvement following the
injury of the Corona del Mar High student on his way to school. Since my
son will be one of the multitudes walking to the high school this fall, I
am terrified that we will witness another injury on the front page of the
Daily Pilot before any serious improvements will occur.
I am sure that I speak for many that a town meeting between Eastbluff and
Bluffs residents; the Newport Beach Police Department; and the
Newport-Mesa Unified School District office needs to be held this month
to allow all groups to be heard regarding this potential nightmare.
The bottom line is this: Parents are always in a hurry; kids are always
in a hurry, especially when being late causes detention; and no one wants
another fatality in Newport Beach before traffic laws change, not to
mention the word “lawsuit.” Let’s quit wasting our time by dividing our
community. If we organize a town meeting at which all parties involved
are able to participate in a discussion of this matter, we will all be a
part of the solution rather than a continuing part of the problem. I will
be there -- heck I’ll even help organize it.
KIM LEISNER OGLE
The Bluffs
SMITH WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN NAUTICAL MUSEUM SUCCESS
In regards to your article dated Aug. 6 on Shelli Smith, former director
of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum -- three years ago, Smith was hired
to put Newport Harbor Nautical Museum on the map [“Museum director
removed”]. Extensively overqualified, she took a grass-roots local
maritime history museum and made it an internationally known entity.
Shelli Smith brought excitement, exceptional talent, her unbelievable
knowledge and expertise to Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. She and her
staff (who adore her) worked diligently to bring unsurpassed talent to
the museum in the form of art, artists, textiles, speakers and a ship
named the HMS Bark Endeavour. Now that was excitement.
As a member of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, I am having a
difficult time understanding David Grant’s train of thought. What is
wrong with the Louvre? And I can’t quite see the Newport Harbor Nautical
Museum in a multimillion dollar architectural masterpiece like the
Guggenheim in Spain, no less.
As for Smith, she will go on to a much greater position -- that will be
her gain and, sadly, our loss. She will be greatly and profoundly
missed.SUSAN KENNEYNewport Beach
A FEW WORDS CAN CHANGE THE WHOLE MEANING
You just published in this morning’s Tuesday Daily Pilot my comment about
the gun shows, and somehow or another you left out a word or two because
I’m listed under the pro instead of the con. It’s obvious from the first
paragraph, I think, that I’m definitely against the gun shows. The last
paragraph reads, “My opinion is the county fairgrounds should be
available to people wanting to sell guns,” and I absolutely did not say
that. So if there’s any way of printing a retraction or changing the
letter somehow or another. I certainly don’t want to go down on the
record as being for gun shows. I’m definitely not. I’m against gun shows.
TONY SPOONER
Newport Beach
BEST BUYS IS THE BEST AT SPREADING THE WORD
I just can’t thank you enough for the article regarding the relocation of
Grandma’s Cottage Heirloom Antiques in the June 12 issue of the Daily
Pilot.
We had so many people call to tell us they saw the article and were glad
to know where we were. Many friends and customers stopped by and brought
us copies of the article. And the number of potential [buyers] coming
into the store greatly improved.
It couldn’t have happened at a better time. In a period of three weeks,
we had a double setback. The condo we leased was sold, and we were asked
to vacate as soon as possible. Two weeks later, the master lease for the
building in which our antique shop was ensconced was sold, and the new
owners wanted us out immediately. So, in four weeks, we had to find a
place to live, find a place for our business, which is our livelihood,
pack, move and unpack two places. We did it but lost eight weeks of
business in the process.
Thanks to you, word about our relocation got out, and were we ever
grateful.
Your Best Buys column is truly a great feature in the Daily Pilot.
GLORIA LOUDON
Costa Mesa
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