MAILBAG - Sept. 16, 2000

Regarding the Daily Pilot editorial (“Where have all the candidates

gone?” Aug. 3), it captured my attention also and I agree it is a sad

commentary, particularly where the school board is concerned. As the

editorial pointed out, while everyone is quick to criticize, few come

forward as candidates.

In the case of the trustees of the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District, two of the three incumbents who are up for reelection remain

unopposed and will simply be reappointed. However, the third, Martha

Fluor, representing Trustee Area 3 and running for her third term, does

have an opponent who filed minutes before the deadline Aug. 11.

I am proud to be that challenger. Although, as a grandmother, I’m not

part of the “fresh young blood” Reba Williams calls for, I can and will

bring fresh ideas, a new perspective and a new vision to the board.

ILA JOHNSON

Costa Mesa

Scrutiny needed in college board race

Unlike the situation in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District this

November, when only one candidate is vying for a school board position,

the community colleges are doing much better.

The Coast Community College District board has a larger slate of

candidates. The persisting problem, however, is to make those running for

office more visible to the public eye.

During the last Coast election, “visibility” was almost zero. This

meant that issues or priorities were not discussed. Incumbents who had

been in two, three and four terms were automatically reelected. A local

cable company generously made available one half-hour program for all

candidates to use, but only two showed up -- none of whom were

incumbents. The district’s public television station (KOCE) chose not to

offer its air time to the candidates.

Besides the increased coverage expected from the press, there are

other breaks in the otherwise overcast skies of indifference on the part

of the voting public. The Community College League of California -- an

umbrella organization -- has produced a program designed to provide

candidates seeking office for the first time a new “trustees

orientation,” which is extensive and, if used properly, should help place

them on a positive track toward their election. The chief parameters of

this orientation are:

1. The District CEO (chancellor) will send or personally deliver an

information packet to each candidate which includes:

* The League’s “So You Want to be a Trustee?”

* Selected chapters from the League’s Trustees Handbook

* The League’s California Community College profile

* General information about the district

* District policies about the board

2. Candidates will be invited to one or more of the following:

* A candidate information forum about the district and the board’s

role and responsibilities

* Individual or group meetings with CEO

* Tours of the colleges

* A group meeting with the current board chairman and others

* Board meetings held prior to the election, to observe and be

introduced

Needless to say, the League has put together a comprehensive

introductory program which pertains to all community college districts in

California. It’s obvious, to me at least, that something comparable

should be adopted by all California K-12 districts.

LEFTERIS LAVRAKAS

Costa Mesa

Reader thanks harbor columnist

This represents an opportunity to express our appreciation for the

equality of the contributions of Daily Pilot harbor columnist Terrance

Phillips with regard to the news and reinforcement of traditions,

specifically in terms of the matters of real importance in Newport Beach:

the beaches and the harbor.

His expressions are most appropriate (“We can’t let our precious

harbor commodity slip away,” Aug. 21). The greed of the developers and

those dedicated to “progress” (truly a dirty word) are now aimed at the

potential sacrifice of American Legion Post 291 facilities, the Girl

Scout meeting building and the adjacent trailer park. When will wisdom

prevail over the hysterical chase by the City Council after the process

of tuning for the maximum buck?

The delightful charm of Newport Beach is not reflected in the sterile

paving of every last square foot of real estate in town. Let’s tune for

maximum wisdom.

This is also an opportunity to express appreciation to John Blaich for

his very interesting “Yachts of Yesteryear” stories. We have enjoyed

them.

DEL KAHAN

Newport Beach