Mailbag - Jan. 17, 2002
I’m calling in regard to the boat parade. I think it’s a shame to cut
out the length of the parade because there are so many homes that would
be denied the beauty of the parade where it has become a tradition. There
are so few traditions left. I think this is one that brings all of
Newport Beach, and whoever wants to be there, together.
I do believe, however, that it’s unfair to expect the same boats to be
in the parade every single night.
They should perhaps scatter the entries of the boats throughout the
parade. That way, the boat owners won’t have to be there all night of the
parade. I would rather see the number of days of the parade shortened,
but still maintain the length of the parade. I think that would be
better, having the parade toward the weekend instead of at the beginning
of the week. Cutting off those few days might be the answer. I hope it
continues; it’s a beautiful thing.
SANDRA BASMACIYAN
Corona del Mar
City Council shows thoughtfulness with RVs
I am not at all surprised that there was a lack of civility regarding
the issue of housing RVs on the streets of Costa Mesa (“Rudeness takes
over Costa Mesa City Hall,” Monday). Having lived in the state streets of
Mesa Verde for the past two years, I have noticed many of these very
large vehicles scattered throughout the neighborhoods and left, in many
cases, to deteriorate and become unsightly. I was very pleased to hear
that the council had issued a new rule that the RVs would not be allowed
on the streets for more time than it takes to clean them.
After waking up every morning to the sight of a huge RV out my front
window over the holidays, I am more than supportive of the council’s
action. Thanks to the City Council for having the civility,
thoughtfulness and respect for your neighbor that may have been lacking
in some Costa Mesa residents. It does not surprise me that those who are
blind to being respectful to their neighbors would also express
themselves disrespectfully to their local governmental officials.
I have also had experience with neighbors who are RV owners but house
their huge vehicles elsewhere, which is truly thoughtful and engenders
good feelings. Living in such close proximity and on such small lots
makes consideration imperative.
I am certainly for the council taking action to enforce thoughtfulness
where it otherwise is not forthcoming. I hope to continue to see our
neighborhood appreciate in value.
CAROLINE MCNABB
Costa Mesa
Visioning process looks to undo Greenlight
I am extremely concerned that the visioning process is simply a ruse
to defeat Greenlight (“Finding a bit of vision in Newport,” Sunday).
The citizens have spoken on this subject on many occasions.
We must do our utmost to put severe restrictions on new growth in
Newport Beach. To do otherwise can only negatively impact our quality of
life.
If the outcome of the visioning process is to allow large projects
like the recently defeated Koll Center, the wishes of the citizenry will
be thwarted.
Please listen to your constituents. Resist the demands of big
business. Help to ensure that the visioning process will be in line with
what Newport Beach residents want.
CARL W. MUMM
Newport Beach
Columnist was too quick to rush to judgment
I would like to take exception to Steve Smith’s “muddy situations.”
First of all, let me say I was not present at the soccer tournament on
Dec. 29 and I don’t disagree at all with Smith’s basic premise that
parents need to be more involved in their children’s activities (Family
Time -- “Parents need to get into muddy situations,” Jan. 5). What I do
object to is his characterization of the AYSO volunteers he spoke to as
“deer in headlights.”
These volunteers are parents just like him. They’re not paid soccer
experts, they’re not professional groundskeepers, they’re not weather
experts, they are parents who donate their time. How much rain is
dangerous? Mist on the ground? Sprinkles? A sixteenth of an inch? An
eighth of an inch?
Smith feels this is an easy question to answer. He points out that he
is an expert on field conditions because he has coached “mostly baseball
for the last six years.”
Well, I agree that baseball is an extremely dangerous game to play on
a wet field, but I don’t think that soccer is a particularly dangerous
sport on wet grass. I would venture to guess that the decision to cancel
the games was as much to protect the fields as it was for safety reasons.
Smith shows his expertise for the game of soccer when he refers to the
referee as an “umperee.” As a parent who has volunteered as a Little
League coach, high school baseball coach, soccer coach and referee, I am
constantly amazed and, at the same time disgusted, by parents who won’t
volunteer their time but are all too eager and quick to point out the
ones who do are doing it wrong. Instead of encouraging parents to
intervene, Smith should be encouraging them to volunteer. That way, they
won’t have to intervene; they’ll be the ones making the decisions.
In closing, let me say that I realize it is easy for Smith to refer to
the AYSO volunteers he encountered as “deer in headlights” just as it is
easy for me to refer to him as something else.
JEFF GRANT
Costa Mesa
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