MAILBAG - May 1, 2001

Regarding “Changes may be afloat for boat parade,” April 12, please do

not shorten the route of the Christmas Boat Parade by skipping the jetty.

I am a Balboa Peninsula Point resident and am very fortunate to enjoy

a bay view from my home. I have lived here for 13 years, and this

December I will host my 13th consecutive Christmas Boat Parade Party --

now a popular tradition that would be missed if the route did not include

the jetty.

My 50 to 60 guests include some local residents, family and friends

from the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys. Many of these out-of-town

guests shop, dine and vacation in Newport Beach. Many have purchased

second homes in Newport Beach, having been first introduced to Newport

Beach by my Christmas Boat Parade Party.

I believe a better solution to altering the route of the Christmas

Boat Parade would be to shorten the number of boat parade nights from

seven to five, ending on Dec. 21 or sooner and being careful to include a

weekend.

Everyone can use a few more free days just before Christmas. Seven

nights is a very large commitment for boat parade participants.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my views.

JO KING

Balboa Peninsula

Fair market value should dictate home prices

In response to “Cut back affordable housing, Steel says,” March 23, I

agree with Councilman Chris Steel regarding affordable housing, but I

have never been a fan of socialism. Let the fair market value dictate the

price of homes. If you can’t afford the price, move to a city or part of

town that accommodates you.

The trouble with our society is that too many people expect everyone

else to cater to their needs and wants. There are too many with a victim

mentality looking for saviors in the form of government taxpayer funding.

We need more government officials, like Steel, who aren’t afraid to

brave the insults and mean-spirited remarks of people who, with a

self-righteous attitude, take my money and give it to others.

Of course, those who want to do all the giving and subsidizing are not

necessarily the same ones who are taking the contributions.

BETTY J. OLSON

Costa Mesa

Costa Mesans would rather afford housing

I am really saddened for my city. Costa Mesa Councilman Chris Steel

and his followers seem to be on a mission of destroying Costa Mesa by

division and separateness. He is using the tactics of fear and hate. He

is placing the woes of the city on groups of people by the color of their

skin, the accent in their speech, their address or lack of one, and their

economic status.

He offended many citizens by his comments on affordable housing. Does

he not recognize that most people would gladly be homeowners -- and not

renters -- if they were able to find an affordable home?

Shame on Steel for pulling the school system into his hate peddling.

Our schools are doing a fine job. It seems to me that schools usually get

the job of undoing the messes people like Steel make. Valuable education

time is spent unteaching hate.

On a related issue, why is there such an issue of East/West Costa

Mesa? There is only one Costa Mesa. Unless we start promoting and

praising the uniqueness of our city, Steel’s predictions of gloom will

come true.

I have a request for Steel. How about thinking and acting in a

positive, professional manner equal to your elected position? As one of

the elected leaders of our city, I thought you were supposed to help

solve problems, not be one.

SANDY JOHNSON

Costa Mesa