MAILBAG - May 13, 2001

Cities could make Cinco de Mayo a lucrative business

Hey, I got an idea how Newport Beach can enhance revenues to the city

coffers, increase public safety and still provide a fun place to party on

Cinco de Mayo and other drinking-related holidays like Halloween, Fourth

of July and New Year’s Eve. First of all, ban cars around the piers,

maybe the whole peninsula, and also in Newport Center and parts of Corona

del Mar.

Make public transportation available in addition to the use of taxis.

Have police checkpoints at all roads to party areas. Let people drink in

controlled public areas and even get drunk (within limits). Encourage a

designated driver program with rewards and benefits for the driver.

With the increased safety and the knowledge that people can really

party -- and party safely -- more people will come to the city. Even some

sort of party tax could be envisioned. After all, people do come to

Newport to party anyway, so why don’t we encourage it and do it

logically, safely and increase our revenues at the same time?

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach

Column makes a world of difference

Regarding the May 2 column “Dignity of seniors is worth at least $25,”

Byron de Arakal’s column was a fine example of his caring for seniors and

reaching out to the public to make them aware of the importance of

keeping up with our aging parents, grandparents, etc.

De Arakal’s sensitivity and depiction of seniors touched many hearts.

Seniors and friends showed up at the center the next day with the

article, checks in their hands and tears in their eyes.

The center raised more than $1,000 in one day. De Arakal may never be

fully aware of the benefits the Costa Mesa Senior Center will reap by his

quality work.

It takes someone special like him to spread the word to the public and

to those who can help. On behalf of the seniors, thank you.

AVIVA GOELMAN

Newport Coast

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Aviva Goelman is the executive director of the Costa

Mesa Senior Center.

Reader remembers the late Marie Maples

I was saddened to see in (the May 3) Daily Pilot the passing of Marie

Maples. What a lady. I had the pleasure of spending 11 weeks with Marie

during the Advanced Policing Citizen Academy at the end of 1999. Marie

was a kick for her age; she was a bright, witty and fun lady to be

around.

I guess I will not be able to attend her memorial service, as I never

pried into her personal life and did not know her address (as quoted by

her son in the story: “If they don’t know her address, they don’t belong

here.”).

But, I do want her son, Mike, and his family to know that there are a

lot of us out here that were touched by your wonderful mother and may all

our fond memories of her comfort you at this time.

And by the way, after reading Byron de Arakal’s column regarding

writing a check payable to the Costa Mesa Senior Center, I will be

sending mine in memory of Marie Maples and I hope many more of you will

do so too.

ERIN TRIPP

Costa Mesa

Readers praises Lions Club president Scheafer

I just read Mike Scheafer’s May 8 letter regarding the Fish Fry, “No

one at fault for the fall of annual Lions Club Fish Fry.” Mike is truly a

gentleman, and we as a city are very fortunate to have him and his sweet

wife Sandy as active and giving citizens in our city. We’ve been

acquainted with the Scheafers through their working with our kids. Mike

is a class act.

LUANA WELLS

Costa Mesa

Protect the bluffs in Corona del Mar

I would like to commend the Newport Beach Planning Commission on its

efforts to “fix the broken regulations” for building on the sensitive and

beautiful Corona del Mar bluffs. It is urgent that something be done to

protect this natural asset to our entire community. A moratorium on new

cliff-side building should have been passed by the City Council until the

Planning Commission and council came to an agreement on codes and

policies.

The Daily Pilot’s cartoonist, Steve Bolton, whose depiction of the

bluffs was excellent, didn’t show the entire picture. They now want to

build all the way down to the beach “cliffhanger style” by digging into

the sides of the sensitive bluffs.

Thank you for your excellent editorial, “Protect bluffs and property

rights as well,” April 29.

LUVENA HAYTON

Corona del Mar

East 17th Street is an important decision

Monday, May 21, is a very important City Council meeting for the

citizens of Costa Mesa. After nearly two years of study, the City Council

needs to vote now. The Daily Pilot wrote a terrific editorial on March

18, titled “City must listen to residents on 17th Street plan.” Its

conclusion read, “Listen to the people who you work for. What they have

to say is what really matters.”

The city transportation manager has said, “From day one, it was

obvious that the business members don’t want six lanes and I do.” Plan E,

which will be voted on by the City Council on Monday, May 21, will permit

the city to use federal funds to widen East 17th Street to six lanes.

By coming to the meeting -- and voicing your opinion if you wish --

residents and business people can help the City Council make the correct

decision, which should be to vote for Plan B. Plan B will assure everyone

that East 17th Street will remain four lanes, with effective traffic

control in a safer environment and not allow the widening of the street

to an eventual six-lane highway that we don’t need.

DAN PERLMUTTER

Newport Beach

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dan Perlmutter served as a member of the city’s ad hoc

committee that studied the 17th Street options.

New Cannery should not display lobsters

I was so pleased to read of the Cannery Restaurant’s revival, (“Lid

may come off Cannery,” May 1) however I wish they would reconsider using

the tanks to display live lobsters and crabs. Not only is this a display

of bad taste and smell, but it is barbaric and unsightly. Nobody likes to

see trapped, doomed and half-dead creatures.

JULIE MATTSON

Balboa Peninsula

Shorten days, but not parade route

I’m calling to protest the change to the Christmas boat parade -- the

route not going to the Newport Beach Harbor. I’m very much against that.

I think that maybe the boat parade is too long in the number of days or

evenings now. If there has to be a change, certainly they should reduce

the nights instead of changing the route.

ALAN STEIGROD

Newport Beach