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
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