Mailbag - May 6, 2000

From my understanding of the Daily Pilot discussing the recent

election, a majority of residents in Newport Heights voted “yes” on

Measure F. Let me offer some insights.

Years ago, we lost much of our Cliff Drive Park view on the western

end to not-so-high rise buildings, but high enough to block the view of

the turning basin of the bay.

Later we found out that these buildings, with their height variances

and blocking this view of the bay from the public park, were never

mentioned in any environmental impact reports.

A little later the city failed, in a somewhat lackadaisical manner, to

respond to a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy a large lot with a

270-degree view (above the post office on Riverside). This would have

allowed the park to run continuously from Santa Ana Avenue to Riverside

Avenue. The owner wanted to sell it to the city at a bargain price then,

a steal now. But again, a developer won out.

These events happened almost 15 years ago and members of the former

Newport Heights executive committee still talk about this insensitive

nature of City Hall concerning the residents. In fact we gave up -- we no

longer have an active association.

And sometimes when we pass by each other in the neighborhood, we talk

about what could have happened. But swinging down memory lane doesn’t

help much compared to what actually happened.

Don Williams

NEWPORT HEIGHTS

Now is the time to extend flight restrictions at John Wayne

Since 1972, the City Council of Newport Beach has had a policy (now

council policy A-17) to address aviation issues. The purpose of that

policy is to establish a comprehensive program to minimize the impact of

John Wayne Airport on the quality of life of the citizens of Newport

Beach by preserving the operational restrictions at John Wayne Airport

and investigating ways to strengthen or extend those restrictions. It

also encourages objective evaluation of the potential for development of

an additional airport to compliment service at John Wayne.

Since the County has designated El Toro as that additional location

our policy requires that the City of Newport Beach remains supportive of

that decision.

I believe now is the appropriate time to request the Board of

Supervisors to extend the John Wayne settlement agreement, which by its

terms expires at the end of 2005. An extension of the settlement

agreement is justified given the size and improvements at John Wayne and

the presence of homes less than one-half mile from the end of the runway.

This extension would protect the citizens of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa

Tustin, Yorba Linda, Villa Park, Orange and Santa Ana whose cities lie

under the John Wayne flight path.

As we know the El Toro planning process has been slowed due to the

passage of Measure F. The vote on Measure F certainly suggests that the

Board of Supervisors carefully evaluate the El Toro planning process and

this is a good time to step back, take a deep breath and look at all the

available options. More importantly, those opposed to an airport at El

Toro have not presented any viable alternative and the two elections that

dealt squarely with the best use of El Toro still resulted in pro airport

votes. Hopefully, with reasonable and objective analysis we will arrive

at the best solution for all of Orange County.

Taking the El Toro option off the table at this time would be short

sighted and ultimately force an unwise and costly expansion of John Wayne

in the future. An expansion that would create one of the most congested

and dangerous airports in the country. Eliminating the El Toro option

would also mean the loss of an economic engine and that could inhibit the

ability of businesses large and small to grow and prosper in Orange

County. Satisfying passenger and air cargo demands in our region and

creating a job market that provides satisfying, well paying opportunities

for our children and grandchildren should be a priority for us now and in

the future.

Let’s leave all options open, remain objective and do what is best for

the future generations of Orange County.

John and Sheila Noyes

BALBOA ISLAND

Reader urges people to remember Holocaust victims and others

It is only right that we all remember the Holocaust and support Yom

Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The devastation of the Holocaust is

unforgivable.

We must also remember the Palestinians who have suffered unbelievably

at the hands of the Israelis. The people who were the principal victims

have become the principal victimizers of another people. The Israelis

destroyed 418 Palestinian villages -- 70% totally destroyed and 75% of

the Palestinian people became refugees, were killed or deported. They now

live in 29 cramped refugee camps in Israel and Palestinian homes are

still being demolished today.

Gwen Johnson

CORONA DEL MAR

Newport Harbor alumnus says good luck to Bob Boies

As a class of 1972 graduate from Newport Harbor High School, I read

with enthusiasm about Bob Boies tenure at the high school, his current

and future accomplishments, and the respect he earned from the students

(“Let’s hear it for the Boies,” April 28).

Kudos to Mr. Boies! I know my fellow classmates will join me in

wishing Mr. Boies as much success and happiness in his retirement.

Paul James Baldwin

Newport Harbor High School, Class of 1972

NEWPORT BEACH