Rebuttal

The Daily Pilot is wrong. In its editorial (“Looking back is not a

good council trait,” Jan. 6), it states that it is not a good idea for

new council members to undo the actions of prior councils.

I heartily disagree. In fact, Councilwoman Karen Robinson should be

heartily congratulated for using common sense to try to stop what

potentially is a horrendous mistake by the prior council.

The Daily Pilot thinks that since nothing new was brought to the table

over the proposed skate park site at Charle and Hamilton streets that the

current council should proceed to build the park [even though] many

people agree is unsafe and ill-conceived.

The fact that a woman was almost killed crossing the street near this

site is confirmation that the prior council made a mistake in picking

this site for a park that will attract countless kids.

Although the state Legislature struck down potential liability for

cities from skate parks, what kind of liability problems will the city be

looking at if some kid is killed crossing the street to this park and the

city was aware of the potential hazards involved?

The decision by the prior council has the potential to see suits filed

against the city. I commend Robinson for taking a stand to correct the

mistake made by the prior council.

Contrary to the opinion of the Daily Pilot, new council members can

make their mark by acting against irresponsible decisions of a prior

council. Safety of children should rise above “making their mark” on the

city.

Decisions made by prior councils have to be scrutinized if they don’t

make sense or are decisions that, in the opinions of many, are unsafe.

One has to wonder why some of the current council members continue to

defend this site. Do they defend their decision based on sound reasoning

or based on the fact that they want to stick by prior decisions

unconditionally?

These members who continue to defend the Charle/Hamilton site appear

to be more worried that the “mark” they made on the city is more

important than making a safe decision.

I am certain that these members, as well as the editors of the Daily

Pilot, do not want to some day look back at this decision and have

regrets that a child was injured or even killed in a traffic accident.

I certainly recognize that this process has gone on way too long. I

feel for the kids who want this park built.

In reality, it should have been completed long ago. After all, the

process to build was to begin in Lions Park until the council stopped it

for some reason.

Even though all of the delays are hard to take, delaying a little

longer to put this skate park in a safe spot is worth the wait.

Let’s take another look at TeWinkle Park, the corner of Arlington and

Presidio drives, next to Bark Park would be an excellent spot. What about

Fairview Park, next to the railroad site?

This City Council has an opportunity to correct a bad situation. I

hope they take the opportunity to do so, and I wish the Daily Pilot

agreed.

Incidentally, the council decision to remove all the Park Commission

and Planning Commission members is another decision that ought to be

scrutinized.

I agree with Councilman Gary Monahan that cronyism will run rampant.

If each council member is allowed to select one member for each of the

commissions, how much personal embroilment will each council member be

accused of? After all, personal embroilment is a reason not to speak on

the subjects, according to the city attorney.

If you wonder what the rumbling sound was when the council made this

decision, it was Charles TeWinkle, Will Jordan, Bert Smith, Eric Johnson

and many of the other Costa Mesa pioneers rolling over in their graves.

They must really be wondering about the actions of some of our current

council members.

* MIKE SCHEAFER is a Costa Mesa resident and a former member of the

city Parks Commission.