A lot of fracas about ficus

Yes, the judge was right in allowing the city of Newport Beach to

remove the ficus trees from Main Street on the Balboa Peninsula

(“Judge approves Main Street ficus removal,” Tuesday).

Something the Newport Beach fire chief said on Wednesday at a

Sept. 11 memorial prompted me to write this. The fire chief said a

man asked a fireman why he would run into a situation like the World

Trade Center, and the fireman’s reply was “It’s what we do.”

Well, our mayor, City Council, city manager and other city

officials work long and hard hours for us, the people of Newport

Beach, while still balancing their private lives. A fine example is

the letter published in the Daily Pilot last Father’s Day written by

Mayor Tod Ridgeway’s three children on what a great dad he was

(“Celebrating fathers,” June 16).

Our city officials work to keep our city safe, clean and

prosperous. Even as they heard all the opposing comments for the

removal of the ficus trees, they obtained professional tree experts’

opinions and the decision was made to replace the ficus trees with

beautiful coral gum trees, which have a better root system.

If you asked a city official why they put up with all the people

who continually put them down, second guess them on almost all their

decisions, and even bring them to court, I’m sure they would say

“it’s what we do.”

I, for one, appreciate all they do for our fine city. Our city

officials are not empty suits. They vigorously move our city forward

as the demographics change. Why should we be content with “good

enough” if we have the opportunity to make our city “even better.”

GAIL ROSENSTEIN

Newport Beach

My opinion is that the judge is not right in allowing the trees to

be removed, and why let this whole group go through the process if in

fact he knew from the beginning that their appeal was too late.

I personally think the trees are extremely attractive and have

always enjoyed them and I’m really disappointed that this is taking

place because Balboa needs something from history and it’s going to

be years before we get the same look we already now have. Hopefully

something will be done.

TONI LEFFLER

Balboa Peninsula

I’m very much against removing the ficus trees on Balboa Island.

Thin the roots, fine, but save the trees. They’ve been there for

years and they’re beautiful; they’re part of the city.

FLORENCE HOLZGRAF

Newport Beach

I am deeply saddened by the news regarding the city’s decision to

remove the ficus trees along Main Street on Balboa Peninsula. I am

not a resident of Balboa, but Naples Island in Long Beach.

I firmly believe that Newport Beach’s decision to remove the trees

is appalling. And, I hope that the mayor’s term ends as soon as it’s

up, or sooner. To think that the local businesses and residents that

wanted the trees removed is ridiculous, considering the trees were

part of Balboa’s landscape for nearly half a century and had

absolutely no chance to defend themselves. To make this type of

decision is a true example of a politician making biased decisions

based on a skewed view, highly influenced by a few local

constituents.

To see this sickens me beyond words.

I hope that the council’s future as politicians ends as abruptly

as the life of the trees that they murdered.

CHRIS BONOMO

Long Beach