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