I read with dismay the lead...

I read with dismay the lead article in the Sept. 5 Pilot (“Newport

can tighten leash”). No wonder Red Baron, the beautiful golden

retriever in the photo, looks so sad -- to be told by the city that

he can’t go for a swim without being on the end of the leash is a

very upsetting prospect, and one that seems so unnecessary.

This letter is not from a biased dog-owner, but just a local

resident who walks along the beaches and often sees dogs frolicking

in the water, not near swimmers, not fouling the water, not bothering

anybody -- so why do they have to be on a leash?

I hope the Pilot will have a follow-up article in which rational

reasons will be given for this restrictive ruling.

PAT PARSONS

Corona del Mar

This reminds me of the song/game from Sesame Street when my kids

were younger. It featured a group of items and one of them differed

from the others. It encouraged the young minds to pay close attention

to detail, as all the items looked similar, yet one definitely stood

out from the rest.

So, let’s play the game: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Newport

Beach.

Which of these “things” is not like the other? Well, that would be

Newport Beach -- as Newport is not “local friendly,” but tourist

friendly, and these other cities have proven to be both. In what

ways, do you ask?

Look around. Both Huntington and Costa Mesa have or will have

skate parks and do not outlaw skateboarding as a form of

transportation. Both Huntington and Costa Mesa have dog parks

(Newport just tightened its leash law -- now dogs have to be on a

leash even when swimming in the ocean. Huntington even has a dog

beach).

I would draw the conclusion that Huntington and Costa Mesa place

great value in its year-round residents. Maybe the leaders of Newport

Beach should take notice and try to be like the others.

ROBIN SINCLAIR

Newport Beach