REBUTTAL

I am not here to challenge your beliefs of Costa Mesa, as I enjoy

reading your articles (“What’s up?” by Steve Smith, Nov. 6). My family

was raised in Costa Mesa, until in 1970, when I was just starting third

grade, my mom and dad decided to buy a larger “new” home in the country:

Irvine. Most of my fondness memories originated from childhood in Costa

Mesa, not Irvine. It was in Irvine, before starting the eighth grade,

that my father passed away.

Now grown up, and a homeowner in Santa Ana Heights who like hundreds of

other residents are left facing the annexation issue, support annexation

into Newport Beach for many reasons. Yes, I look with eyes wide open:

life’s good in Costa Mesa, but better in Newport Beach.

I am only a babe of four years to the Heights. Having spearheaded the

Santa Ana Heights For Newport Beach campaign just a short time ago, after

having completed 10 long months campaigning for the safer, quieter,

Charles Griffin-designed “V” configuration alternative airport (now on

the county’s environmental impact report), I am honored to be part of a

fast-growing group so united in one accord. I have since met veteran

annexation fighters like Ed Hall, Bob Hanley, Milena W. Thompson and

others, who like Charles Griffin, were seen but not heard, but who now

are one voice being heard loud and clear.

Yes, life is good in Costa Mesa, but better in Newport Beach, even if

there is no Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. I may want to live in Newport

Beach, but I will continue to shop in Costa Mesa: The years of patronage

and family memories spent at Dick Church’s Restaurant, future shopper of

the new Harbor Center Home Depot, Kinko’s Costa Mesa customer, and, oh,

can’t forget those Oh Those Donuts, especially when they are hot from the

oven. Who needs Krispy Kreme?

P.S.: Home is where the heart is. It is, wherever you are.

RUSSELL NIEWIAROWSKI

Santa Ana Heights