Mailbag - Nov. 25, 2000

In a recent post-election article, Libby Cowan hypothesizes that Chris

Steel was elected to the Costa Mesa City Council by a small group of

ultra-conservatives.

I hate to burst her bubble, but I am a liberal and I voted for Steel.

Even a dyed-in-the-wool, tree-hugging Democrat such as myself knows when

enough is enough.

Costa Mesa civic policies that primarily affect the Westside have

drastically affected property values in this area, and my neighbors and I

are simply tired of shouldering these very real costs of our city’s “warm

and friendly” policies.

Comparable condos and homes to the east of Harbor Boulevard routinely

sell for considerably more than those on the breezy bluffs of the

Westside. In all fairness, Westside homeowners cannot be expected to

continue to shoulder a burden of this magnitude in order to maintain our

“city with a heart” motto.

I hereby urge Cowan and the Daily Pilot to get connected with the

homeowners, who are the real stakeholders in this city.

We have invested hundreds of millions of our hard-earned dollars in

this city, and it is time that our belief in and investment in Costa Mesa

be met with a modicum of respect.

We are tired of being overlooked while the leaders of our community

fall all over themselves to provide for the needy.

In the absence of all of the city-sponsored magnet programs, the

Westside would have revitalized itself, thereby eliminating the need for

costly and divisive plans.

We the voters have called out for civic responsibility in our support

of Steel. That is the lesson to be learned here. The voters have spoken.

Is anyone really listening?

ERIC BEVER

Costa Mesa

Election results offer plenty to be afraid of

In response to Janice Davidson’s letter, “Comments on new councilman

off mark,” she asks what are we afraid of?

We’re afraid of people like Davidson and Chris Steel threatening Costa

Mesa’s indispensable, cherished diversity.

LAURA KAUTH

Costa Mesa