Mailbag - Jan. 24, 2002

End the rivalry between Newport’s beach and coast

I was surprised to read that some argue the Newport Beach police are

enforcing speed laws in Newport Coast solely to reap financial gain from

its wealthy residents (“Police aiming to slow down Newport Coast,” Jan.

19). The mindless inference in such an argument is that different laws

or standards should apply in Newport Coast and/or that only Newport Coast

residents use our roads. Let us hope the people who make such an argument

do not have driver’s licenses.

What words of wisdom will they have after some child or member of our

community is mangled or killed by a speeder? Thank God the police are

attempting to prevent such a tragedy. The police should not have to

defend their act of performing their duties. Instead of complaining,

people should be praising them. Where did this attitude come from that

suggests that law enforcement or city officials from Newport Beach must

tiptoe around Newport Coast residents and/or treat them with kid gloves?

I, for one, welcome them in to protect and serve. What did the county do

for us? Let me think. Didn’t the county misplace millions of our tax

dollars?

The complaint against the police is a subtle part of a more sinister

problem involving an attempt by a few to create a Newport Coast versus

Newport Beach rivalry. I am tired of the whining, attempts to divide and

frivolous lawsuits. The combination is good for all concerned. For those

who don’t like it, leave. Alternatively, stop and look around and then

thank God you are fortunate to live here. I hereby declare the phony

rivalry dead.

MARK A. WUEBBEN

Newport Coast

Recreational vehicles are unsightly safety hazards

Regarding the civil action question: It is quite obvious that those

uncivilized residents of Costa Mesa who attended the Costa Mesa City

Council meeting about RVs are the same residents who have no

consideration for their neighbors or their neighborhood (“Rudeness takes

over City Hall,” Jan. 14). The behavior of the RV owners who oppose the

parking ban speaks volumes. They do not have the common courtesy to

respect their neighbors’ wishes. Bottom line: RVs do not belong on our

streets. They are a major safety hazard. Regardless of how well-kept they

may be, they are unsightly. End of uncivilized discussion.

MARY HERMES

Costa Mesa

Burciaga defied and beat the odds

I commend you for giving the Mirna Burciaga story front-page headlines

(“TeWinkle failed some students, U. S. finds,” Oct. 30). It isn’t often

that a determined mother and citizen is able to take on the school

bureaucracy and succeed in a two-year quest to ensure all

English-language learners are being properly taught in all their classes.

May I nominate her for a citizen of the year award? For Burciaga has

defied and beaten odds that would have dissuaded one less resolute.

LEFTERIS LAVRAKAS

Costa Mesa

Lawsuit over church parking is wasteful

It is a shame that our society has a hard time looking rationally at

issues that deal with religion (“Resident sues Newport over church

parking,” Jan. 15). While I disagree with John Nelson’s strange

compulsion to “defend the Constitution,” I am grateful for the reserved,

straightforward manner in which he has pursued it.

Unfortunately, I believe there will be large numbers of people (and

particularly religious groups) who will loudly attack Nelson’s lawsuit

and aid in creating a full-blown controversy in the name of defending

their religion. I believe this is one matter that doesn’t need defending,

and hope that it will be treated as such in a case that is simply wasting

Nelson’s money and the courts’ time.

And I also hope that, if he is successful in this suit, he doesn’t

continue his line of reasoning and try to get the government to cancel

Christmas as a government holiday.

MARK MCKINLEY

Corona del Mar