MAILBAG - Feb. 15, 2001

In regard to the planning and parks commissions fiasco (“Commissions

appointed after frantic night,” Feb. 7): Toward the end of the City

Council’s meeting of Feb. 5, we embarrassed ourselves, to say the least,

in appointing the parks and planning commissioners.

1) We could and should have interviewed and nominated all the

candidates, especially the incumbents.

2) We should have devised beforehand a fair, logical plan of

appointments rather than conduct that ensuing divisive mess.

3) We should have cast a number of rounds of balloting until five

candidates prevailed with at least four votes.

While I have no real problems with those that were appointed, it was a

railroaded process -- unfair to the candidates, unfair to the council

members and unfair to the public.

I tried to make a motion to delay the process for two weeks so that we

could come back and do it right. Yet, it’s very difficult to stop a fast

train when you’re not the conductor. Surely, that was no way to run a

railroad. Shame on us.

CHRIS STEEL

Councilman

Costa Mesa

No room for ‘us vs. them’ mentality

Regarding Bill Turpit’s letter, “Who Belongs in Costa Mesa?” (Feb. 4),

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to him for his eloquence in

stating what others of us (hopefully many) feel.

There is no room for the attitude of “us vs. them” in Costa Mesa. Our

community comes from many members contributing, each according to their

individual abilities, as they have the opportunity to do so, and thereby

building something that is a better whole because of the sum of the

parts. Bravo to Bill for speaking out.

CONNIE MEGLEY

Costa Mesa