Ficus, fallen or not, fuel continued debate

My thoughts on the ficus tree removal are as follows: Now that the

city has had its way, it would behoove them to replace the fallen

ficus trees with some trees of quality (“City tears down Main Street

ficus,” Thursday). If the budget doesn’t allow, then reduce another

expenditure instead.

There is nothing that will enhance Main Street as much as the

right size and choice of trees. Please, do not replace the majestic

ficus with the quality of tree recently planted in the village.

JOANN MATOS

Peninsula Point

Cut down the other two old, damaging trees and get on with it.

KEN THOMPSON

Newport Beach

Regarding the ficus trees, the city should appreciate Jan

Vandersloot and others who fight to make Newport Beach a better

place. Cutting down the trees at 7 a.m. before the other side had a

chance to file papers sums up the city perfectly.

CANDICE HUBERT

Newport Beach

My husband and I have lived in the Newport-Mesa area now for more

than 10 years. Not a lifetime, but long enough to love and appreciate

the beauty of Balboa. We were shocked and very sad at the actions

taken by “our representatives,” the mayor and some of the City

Council, regarding the removal of the beautiful trees in Balboa. It

was clearly an act of “We’re going to do what we want no matter what

you say.” It was a childish and cowardly move. There are many more of

us that are very upset at what was done. Let us all remember this and

Mayor Tod Ridgeway at election time.

THE KLASSERTS

Costa Mesa

I guess it was a slow news day that prompted all the coverage of

the ficus tree removal to be shown on national TV. Quite honestly, I

found it embarrassing that this is even considered newsworthy.

And who was minding the protection of our citizens when five

police cars and more than that number of policeman were guarding the

removal? Shouldn’t they be out doing something more in their job

description? At least they were not in riot gear.

The good part is that in my two trips off the peninsula, I got a

good chuckle each time I went by. Thanks, Balboa Arbor Society, for

brightening my day.

RHODA FRIEDMAN

Balboa Peninsula