Mailbag - Jan. 31, 2002

Editorial lacked solutions to El Morro use

Your editorial, “El Morro should not pay for Crystal Cove,” Jan. 27,

made unfounded assumptions and offered nothing in the way of solutions to

“the problem.” It was also slanted with the writer’s insinuation that

kicking out the residents of El Morro constitutes some sort of moral

victory for the taxpayers of California.

“Many nonresidents rejoiced” at the eviction of Crystal Cove residents

needs verification. Exactly how many did so? Who were they? It’s doubtful

that 1% of Californians even know that there is such a place as Crystal

Cove. It’s doubtful that 1% of Orange County residents who live outside

the boundaries of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach were aware of the

Crystal Cove situation and that those properties belonged to the state.

The mere fact that the state has owned El Morro for 20 years does not

make a “strong argument for kicking out” the residents of the park. In

fact, there is not one “strong” argument for doing so.

If California taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth from the

park, they could raise the rents to a competitive level or they could

sell the mobile home portion of the park. “Taking back what is rightfully

theirs” implies that Californians had something taken away from them

when, in fact, nothing has been taken from them. Most would not “get it

back” even if California State Parks is successful in building an RV park

in its place because only a minuscule portion of Californians use

campgrounds.

JOHN MILLER

Newport Beach

Robinson voted conscience, for supporters

This is regarding the column by Byron de Arakal, “The Koll flub and

playing chess with a blind man” (Nov. 28). As always, he has presented

his views on the subjects with rare insight and in a manner that is

factual and concise.

I was at the Costa Mesa City Council meeting of Nov. 19 and witnessed the “insufferable exchange between Paul Freeman and Chris Steel” that he

described so well. Contrast this with the article written the next day on

the same topic of the Home Ranch project where when giving the votes of

the council members, it said, “Karen Robinson voted no in lock step with

her supporters.”

I take exception to this term and its derogatory connotation to this

hard-working, intelligent lady. As opposed to Steel, who shot himself in

the foot with both barrels of a 12-gauge shot gun, Robinson, not in lock

step with her supporters, voted her conscience and kept her campaign

promise to support “what is good for the quality of life for all Costa

Mesa citizens.”

With no concern about bribes of Huscroft House, I for one was very

proud of Robinson, the last to cast her vote each time and a no vote on

every element of the Home Ranch project. Maybe de Arakal could write an

article on conscience and this fine lady.

GORDON PATE

Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa should drop AT&T; Broadband

I’m very upset with the AT&T; Broadband cable changes, which, if I

allow it to happen, I would end up paying more than $600 a year for cable

services. When I originally started just a few years ago, it was a little

more than $9 [per month].

So basically what we’re going to do is go back to just the basic,

basic cable service and give up all cable channels whatsoever. The AT&T;

people tell me that they are forced to do this by Federal Communication

Commission decree, and that one of the reasons for it is to provide more

Spanish-language programs for free in the Los Angeles and Southern

California areas, and that they have no choice in it.

I think it’s an illegal price gouge, and I’m very upset with it.

Then, on Jan. 8, I’ve been trying to reach AT&T; Broadband for some

service problems on their (877) 523-5553 number. I hung on for an hour

and five minutes with no acknowledgment at all other than recorded

messages. I think this city should get rid of them as soon as possible.

RICHARD S. McLAUGHLIN

Costa Mesa