MAILBAG - Nov. 18, 1999

Costa Mesa and Newport Beach: leave Santa Ana Heights alone

I am sorry to learn that Costa Mesa council members Libby Cowan and Linda

Dixon feel insulted that our west Santa Ana Heights neighborhood does not

want to become annexed into Costa Mesa (“More marked for Costa Mesa want

out,” Nov. 10). It was only two years ago that Costa Mesa Deputy City

Attorney Don Lamm was quoted in the Daily Pilot (1/14/97) as saying:

“They can park their cars on the lawn or have dog kennels” in reference

to our neighborhood. I think it is fair to say that the feeling of being

insulted is mutual.

The fact of the matter is that the west Santa Ana Heights neighborhood

stands to gain nothing by being annexed by either Costa Mesa or Newport

Beach.

I’ve read the pamphlet on annexation from the city of Costa Mesa, in

which they describe the “many benefits” we will receive, by becoming a

part of their fine city, including improved delivery of mail. I was not

aware that the city of Costa Mesa also runs the U.S. Postal Service.

Some people argue that we will benefit by the strong Newport Beach stance

against the expansion of John Wayne Airport. However, Newport Beach will

fight the airport expansion whether or not we are annexed into their

city. Additionally, I’m not so sure that Newport Beach wants us to become

a part of their fine city either.

So it seems to me that the best solution is to leave us alone.

JEFFREY LITTELL

Santa Ana Heights

Has Fred flipped?

I was shocked to read Fred Martin’s column on Nov. 8 advising the County

Airport to be built out in “Oz” someplace. Doesn’t he remember the

personality of this county? There is no way people are going to get on

some shuttle system and travel untold miles to some long-distance

destination. Fred has flipped!

His most irritating comment was “Don’t hand down a death sentence for the

quality of life of tens of thousands of residents.” Has the man secretly

joined the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority and been totally

indoctrinated by the hysterical tactics of anti-El Toro airport fanatics?

Were you around for the test flights, Fred? I was! I went to four

different locations in four cities. There is not a single South County

resident who will be more affected by airport noise than I am living

right here in Newport Beach.

The fact is Fred, without El Toro Airport you are condemning our

community to triple the daily flights over our heads. I’m not naive

enough to assume anything will save John Wayne from an extensive

expansion if we lose El Toro.

C. FLYNT

Newport Beach

Halloween article was insulting

I am wondering whether other Balboa Island residents were as insulted by

your front page article as was I (“A Balboa Halloween,” Nov. 1). We are

glad to see the children come. Without exception they were polite and

cute. We had them choose from our bowl, two pieces. Most were escorted by

an adult. Our pumpkin -- Bruce -- was in the window. We are insulted by

your comments, “...lured by cash ... better, bigger candy.” Shame on you.

DONNA SPRINGER

Balboa Island

Impacts are too great for Dunes hotel

Our residence is in the Castaways development overlooking the bay. The

Dunes hotel project, therefore, has manifold impacts upon us:

1. Directly from visual, audible and pollution standpoints and indirectly

by traffic congestion.

There is already a constant high level of lighting more or less

180-degrees around the bay opposite the Castaways throughout the night,

and it is amplified by reflecting on the water. Presently the highest

light levels already come from the Dunes area.

Surprisingly, what might be considered low-level sounds from the bay are

easily heard, not to mention those from electronic amplifiers used during

activities at the bay level.

Boat traffic, attendant noise and water pollution is a consideration even

though street congestion is more significant. East Coast Highway is

already a quasi-freeway with car jockeys abounding. Coast highway noise

is constant and far-reaching.

2. Public funds will be expended for ensuing higher maintenance and

modifications of the streets, which includes cleaning, policing, safety

measures (fire, rescue, etc.) as well as obvious repaving.

The current developer’s expectations of a convention-type, 400-room hotel

and 100 time shares, a 30-acre complex looming five stories over the

environs conjures much that justifies high anxiety. It is a far cry from

and does not qualify for consideration to an old, family-oriented,

low-profile, low-density proposal of years past.

It is not that we are reflexly opposed to private enterprise. Projects

that particularly alter that which only time and natural forces have

wonderfully created demand resourceful, clearly constructive concepts to

produce an endearing and enduring result. These ideals should prevail for

private endeavor and are essential in the public domain for the public

good.VAHE AND ARMINE MEGHROUNI

Newport Beach