Mailbag - July 24, 2001

Renting Cove cottages now sounds like a pipe dream

This is regarding Tony Dodero’s column on Crystal Cove (“Finally, it’s

time to start making those Crystal Cove reservations,” July 9.

It and he makes me sick. I happen to be one of those “cottage

dwellers.” Our “cottage” was originally purchased by my aunt in the

1940s. At that time, anyone could have purchased a cottage. I bet if your

family had bought one, you would be talking out of the other side of your

mouth right now. I have pictures of me, my children and my grandson as

newborns on the Cove’s beautiful beach.

I highly resent his acting as if we were squatters. We paid plenty to

be able to enjoy what had been in our family for generations. The state

received about $550,000 per year rent from the cove “squatters,” which

paid the property taxes. We, as “squatters,” also maintained the cove’s

roads, grounds and houses until the state put so many restrictions on us

maintaining our cottages, it almost made it impossible to do anything.

Who does he think is going to start paying the taxes and maintenance

now?

By the way, since the state bought the land, the public has had access

to the beach. The state even made a new parking lot for those who wish to

visit the cove.

If he thinks for one minute that the state is going to rent out the

cottage for as little as $100 per night, he must be dreaming. The state

already had six cottages that they boarded up and never maintained. What

makes him think they will try to maintain all 46 cottages now, or even a

few for that matter. That will never happen.

Dodero wants a “campground?” That’s a laugh. If the state wanted to

make a campground, then why didn’t they make one on the bluff, where they

have a day-use only camp now. There is a lot of room there -- even for

motor homes -- and easy access to the beach.

Don’t hold your breath when it comes to having “your turn” to stay

there. Dodero will be too old to enjoy anything by then.

By the way, why did it take him eight years to go back and look at

that beautiful place we called paradise?

MILLIE McDONALD

Crystal Cove

New General plan should come before Koll project

There is a simple, quick and inexpensive method of avoiding Bryon de

Arakal’s prospective (Between the Lines, “Failure to yield foreshadows

nasty Koll-Greenlight pileup,” July 18).

The solution is for the City Council to deny or postpone the pending

Koll application until the voters have approved the city’s new general

plan, now making rapid steps toward completion. This would avoid the

expense and inconvenience of a Greenlight election, the controversy

surrounding it and a possible legal challenge.

It would seem that any politician sensitive to residents’ concerns,

and with confidence in the system, would never let a developer expand its

current entitlements by 15 times. Koll should not be permitted to add

1,700 cars per day, in perpetuity, to Newport Beach traffic until its

plans comply with the standards of the new general plan.

Currently, two council members, John Heffernan and Gary Proctor, have

supported this position. Councilman Steve Bromberg has stated the voters

should make the decision on this project. Four council members have

approved the project as meritorious. The council will make a final vote

on July 24.

Residents may wish to follow this vote closely. Two council members,

Gary Adams and Tod Ridgeway, are up for reelection. What better

opportunity could there be for determining who they truly represent than

this vote? Despite the Greenlight mandate, is it still business as usual

at City Hall?

However, deferring approval of the Koll project would not be a

pro-Greenlight vote. It would instead be a vote for the system, allowing

the project to be subject to new land planning rules to which all should

adhere.

GEORGE J. JEFFRIES

Corona del Mar

District attorney should throw out Steel criminal case

This is regarding “Judge tosses out Steel civil case” (July 12).

Judge Thierry Patrick Colaw should be commended for his wise decision

in throwing out the civil lawsuit against Costa Mesa Councilman Chris

Steel made by resident Michael Szkaradek.

This is the type of frivolous, abusive and vindictive lawsuit that

wastes taxpayer money, ties up and clogs the courts from more important

issues and wastes the time and money of the defendant, Steel.

* Regarding resident Richard Noack signing for his wife, this is

hardly a heinous crime against mankind. If this is a punishable offense

then there is hardly a married man or woman alive in Costa Mesa or

Newport Beach that has not committed a felony and we all could discuss

this matter while in jail together. The right of man and wife to be

recognized as one is one of our few remaining liberties.

* Regarding Steel signing for a legally blind woman, we should all

thank him for his sensitivity. If everyone looked out for the blind and

disabled, that would make us collectively an even better community. Steel

should be praised not buried.

* Regarding the plaintiff, at least he has agreed not to appeal. Thank

you for a small favor.

Although Steel still faces criminal charges, the “burden of proof”

will be much higher than in the civil trial. If tried, Steel would almost

certainly prevail. The Orange County District Attorney would do almost

everyone a favor and save “We the people” money, time and aggravation by

justly dropping this case. Enough already.

MICHAEL A. GLUECK

Newport Beach