MAILBAG - Aug. 31, 1999

NEW CENTER A HIT WITH ONE, NOT THE OTHER

I am responding to your [coverage of] the proposed arts and education

center (“Discussion on arts center inches forward,” Aug. 25). Wasn’t

there some thought of open space behind the library when it was proposed

to build senior housing there? It seemed to me that was a good idea. The

library is, after all, a public facility for the use of many different

age groups. And the housing was badly needed. The library is not an

elitist center for special interest groups.

A large public park that would be useful to all seems a much better use

of the land. How lovely for those donors who give many thousands of

dollars to have their names on a brass plaque, and for those other

so-called leaders who will have a large feather in their hat for

promoting a pyramid for the ages. This is not a library concern.

If someone wants to donate cash to improve our library -- increase staff,

buy books and hold open houses for the people in the community who use

the library -- well and good. Do not use my money to build someone’s

reputation.

PATTY LILLEGRAVEN

Balboa Island

I am calling about the library in Newport Beach and the proposed arts and

education center, which I feel is extremely important. I think it would

also bring the city a center that we have needed.

We in the area cannot meet on certain issues in one building. We were

turned away at the recent airport meeting because there was not enough

seating, and the library people would not open the doors on the side.

The need is very important, and so I would stress that.

GINNY KEMPLER

Corona del Mar

BUBBLE GUM PICTURE LEFT READER WITH BAD TASTE

That picture on the front of the Pilot today is disgusting (“Sticking to

their guns,” Aug. 23). It is bad enough having people all over chewing

gum in your face without you having to publish a photo like that.

It is a good thing I didn’t have a lot of lunch, or I would have lost it.

LYNN MERLES

Costa Mesa

IMPROVING ATHLETIC FACILITIES DESERVES SUPPORT

I am calling about the athletic facilities for the high schools, and I

just think it is amazing in this age of physical fitness and everyone

being so aware of how important exercise is that we would even hesitate

to go ahead and improve the athletic fields and pools for our kids

(“School board gives OK to spend for sketches of new sports facility,”

Aug. 26).

We are not just talking about people who are competing on teams. All of

the students are required to take at least two years of physical

education. And the fields are a disgrace -- they are so run-down. And the

community gets the benefit of the pools all summer.

The longer we wait on this kind of improvement and maintenance, the more

expensive it is going to cost. I think we need to go right ahead and take

care of it.

CHARMAINE LAURIE

Costa Mesa

WHERE’S ALL THAT LOTTERY MONEY GOING?

I have a question that has been puzzling me for quite a long time. I

thought the purpose of the California lottery was to help raise funds to

be used for the upkeep and the needs of our children’s schools. Instead

we see the schools in desperate need of funds for repairs and other such

needs -- books, etc.

We have these multimillion-dollar lottery prizes. Where are the profits

that are supposed to be coming from the lottery to help support our

schools’ needs? It just doesn’t make any sense to me. I thought this was

the whole purpose of beginning the state lottery. Weren’t these intended

to support the schools of our kids -- their needs, the upkeep, new

schools, books, supplies, whatever is needed for these schools? I thought

the lottery was to help our children and their education. Am I missing

something?

MARIE MARGARET

Newport CoastTHE WALL SHOULD STAY, BUT ADD SOME TREES

I’m for the wall just as it is (“Protective wall -- or safety hazard?”

Aug. 19). But I’d like to add a couple of trees for the crows -- young

crows like to fly out there.WALDEN COOPER

Costa Mesa