MAILBAG - Sept. 18, 1999

I do not understand why column space is wasted on speculation,

(“Airport foes fuming over possible new initiative” Sept. 8). “Possible”

new initiative says it all. Instead of reporting on speculative matters,

why not devote an entire issue of the Pilot to the Safe and Healthy

Communities measure that will actually be on the ballot in November?

Can we hear what the pros and cons are regarding the measure? How

about interviewing the author of the measure, and then interviewing the

person that will be writing the rebuttal?

Then for good measure, (since this is our community paper), interview

someone from the League of Women Voters, as to why their organization

came out against the measure? Facts, please!!

ANN WATT

Santa Ana Heights

Cox should see El Toro airport is needed

Representative Chris Cox (R-Newport Beach) is all over the map on the

El Toro airport issue. He’s certainly out of tune with the majority of

voters in Orange County. He goes on record to back the antiairport

initiative. He upholds the narrow views of a group of social, public

activists who are spending an exceptional amount of time, money and

energy on anticipated outcomes as opposed to serving the best interests

of all the people of Orange County. He is taking an antibusiness stand.

He and his supporters are on a “no-growth” track and are headed toward

turning Orange County into a suburb of Chautauqua.

Rep. Cox, Supervisors [Tom] Wilson and [Todd] Spitzer just cannot see

the value and critical need for a more adequate airport in Orange County

and are wanting to lead Orange County down a dangerous path of NIMBYism.

But I believe the majority of the people of Orange County, when push

comes to shove, will not fall for it, nor will they be blindly led to

self-destruction.

I believe the majority of the people in Orange County understand that

science and technology is bursting out all over the world. They do not

want to deprive themselves of participating. They feel strongly that air

transportation at El Toro is extremely critical to Orange County’s

healthy economic growth and especially needs to be linked competitively

with the global market place. They believe this because this means

growing employment opportunities and prosperity for thousands of people

whose livelihood depends upon paying rent and putting bread on the table.

It’s one thing to have the luxury of playing lawn bowling with your time.

It’s another thing to put kids through schools and colleges. Their

quality of life depends upon a robust economy.

VICTOR H. JASHINSKI

Corona del Mar

Readers don’t have sympathy for Dr. Laura

It seems to me that Dr. Laura’s crusade to protect children from

unsuitable material would be much more effective if she went after the

largest source of unsuitable material that children have unlimited access

to every day: TELEVISION.

[Hustler publisher] Larry Flynt may not be the most popular guy, but

he is right in his offer of financial aid to help Beach Access in their

defense and ultimately the First Amendment.

MAXINE MACHA

Costa Mesa

Evidently Victoria Cubeiro does not shop because while in the checkout

line we all have to look at the Globe, the Examiner and magazines with

offensive materials on their cover (“Attack On Dr. Laura was out of

line,” Sept. 14). Doesn’t she think that kids who want to see Playboy,

etc. will find it somehow, somewhere? Banning something only makes it

more enticing, and as for Dr. Laura, I’ll pass on that.

LYNN MERLES

Costa Mesa

Group homes issue spurs debate

Councilwoman [Linda] Dixon’s comment that neighboring cities should

“be equally responsible” regarding group homes seems shallow (“Costa Mesa

has high number of group homes, report says,” Sept. 14). Challenge other

cities to step up to the plate, then do what it takes to ensure that such

facilities are properly regulated to provide a safe harbor for residents

and neighbors alike. Enforcement of existing codes may well do the trick.

And remember ‘tis better to love thy neighbor than to shun them.

AMY LITTON

Costa Mesa

The Costa Mesa City Council is concerned about group homes within city

limits. Why bunch drug and alcoholic rehabilitation centers with senior

board and care homes? These seniors don’t drive, don’t cause drunken

behavior or even bother youngsters living near them. They just want a

place to eat, sleep and play bingo. The same with the developmentally

disabled. None of them drive or cause alcoholic pollution. Lets get our

priorities straight.

ANNE HOGAN-SHERESHEVSKY

Costa Mesa

Cell phone antenna has no place on cross

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an open letter to the members of the

Lutheran Church in Newport Beach.

I recently read the article in the Daily Pilot regarding the

installation of a Pac Bell antenna alongside or within the structure of

the cross that adorns your church (“Taking cell phones to a higher

level,” Aug. 31). The article reported that your church has decided to

rent the top space of the cross to the telephone company.

Stop right there.

Stop and reflect upon what the cross means. The cross reminds us that

God sent us the promised messiah, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for

your sins and my sins with his very life by dying on a cross. It is the

sacred symbol of God’s great love for mankind and of the great gift of

his son, Jesus, to and for us. The cross represents the only hope for

mankind in this world and in the hereafter. You must not prostitute the

cross of Jesus Christ by renting out space above it, below it or

associated with it in any way. It must stand alone, unaltered and

unadulterated.

You, as a congregation, must stand up to whomever in your leadership

decided to allow Pac Bell to take a place alongside the cross and stop

the damage NOW. Realize you made a very definite mistake, repent before

God and tell Pac Bell they cannot share the space with the cross of Jesus

Christ our Lord and Savior. Tell Pac Bell the cross of Newport Harbor

Lutheran Church is NOT FOR SALE! The cross must stand alone as a sacred

symbol for Christians in the local community as well as for Christians

all over the world. You have the opportunity to correct a grave error in

judgment before it is too late. Correct your mistake, deal justly with

those who made this mistake and restore the cross to its sole and

rightful place of honor atop of your church.

DIANE THOMAS

Newport Beach