Mailbag - Aug. 23, 2001

Environmentalist driving an old Bug?

I bought my first Volkswagen Bug in 1955 (“Bye, bye, Bug,” Friday). It

was the first year that they came in a color other than dark gray. Mine

was coral red, and I had to wait for several months for delivery in San

Francisco. I eventually gave it to my father, who turned it in for a new

one in 1962.

My mother gave it to my oldest son in 1999, and it was stolen from the

front of my house in Mesa Verde about three months later. It never was

heard from again. It had 41,000 original miles on the odometer as my

father died in 1963 and my mother drove it very little. So your story

stimulated some nostalgia for me.

However, I have a question for you. If the gentleman in your article

is an environmental activist as you described him, why is he driving a

vehicle that is no longer manufactured in the United States because its

engine cannot meet the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency?

Remarkably, it is still manufactured in Mexico.

THOMAS E. KOLANOSKI

Costa Mesa

Job Center should be supported

I support the Job Center (“Dayworkers debate to continue in

September,” Wednesday). Immigrants are important to America and to our

economy. I applaud Costa Mesa for having the Job Center. It gives willing

workers a legitimate place to go for laboring jobs. I know several people

who hire workers from there for short-term jobs. I think the city should

put a canopy over the lot there so the people don’t have to sit in the

hot sun or rain. Immigrants are not going away as Councilman Chris Steel

hopes if the Job Center is closed. Let’s remember we are all people, and

we need each other.

CHARMAINE LAURIE

Costa Mesa

City should take over Newport Dunes

As a resident along Bayside Drive since 1969, I wish to strongly urge

the city of Newport Beach to take over the Dunes’ lease and preserve this

area for all to enjoy as parkland, as it has been since we moved here 32

years ago.

GARY TURNER

Newport Beach

Residents should make annexation decision

Before the final decision comes in to annex Newport Coast, we feel a

special meeting should be called to inform many of us homeowners in

Newport Beach just what benefit annexing Newport Coast would be to us.

It is our understanding that this annexation could have a lot to do

with the important issue we are all fighting for. Turning El Toro into a

major airport to handle some of the flights that are already too much for

John Wayne Airport.

This has to do with the homeowners of Newport Beach and their

families. Let us help make this decision!

LORI and OBIE RAMBEAU

Newport Beach

Preserve the Back Bay at all costs

Of course we should fight to keep Newport Beach a no-discharge harbor

(“House bill may harm Newport Harbor,” Saturday).

The bill, which is now working its way through the U.S. House of

Representatives is a huge setback for water quality. Does anyone want to

play in water that is on the receiving end of minimally treated sewage

from holding tanks?

Defend The Bay has obtained information from the manufacturer of

on-board sewage treatment systems, and it is clear to me that sewage

treated in this way continues to be a threat to human health.

If this bill is passed, all recreational waters in the nation will be

put at an unnecessary risk. Defend The Bay stands with the city of

Newport Beach to protect our no-discharge status and the public’s health.

ROBERT JAMES CAUSTIN

Newport Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Robert James Caustin is the founding director of

Defend the Bay.

Individuals can prevent road rage

Yes, road rage exists and happens in Newport Beach (“Road rage

suspected at Fashion Island,” Thursday). Life is fast and furious here,

and with traffic the way it is, the hurried pace of life, and sometimes

the personal problems that happen in a person’s life all combine to set

one off to create road rage. This is a sign of the times.

There is no one solution, but I believe that giving one’s self extra

time to get somewhere is less stressful. Also, living or working in a

resort community, with its tourist traffic, senior citizens and commuters

takes extra patience.

The Newport Beach Police Department has and is doing a great job, but

it’s up to us, the residents of Newport, to aid our city in keeping it a

safe and sane place to live.

With the advent and wide usage of cellular phones, we can, as

residents, help maintain the quality of life here in Newport Beach by

reporting serious problems when we see them. And I don’t mean things we

don’t like, I mean things and actions that endanger one’s safety and the

safety of those around us.

So I ask my fellow residents and friends, please be aware of what is

happening around you, and get involved when it is in the best interests

of the community. If you live in Newport Beach for the quality of life

aspect, then it is up to you to actively support it.

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach