Costa Mesa mayoral pick seems out...

Costa Mesa mayoral pick seems out of touch

A message to the Costa Mesa City Council:

What are you people thinking? I agree 200% with Rachel

Perez-Hamilton, who pointed out that Karen Robinson is not the right

pick for mayor. Although she may be a nice person, the majority of

the Costa Mesa residents who voted, voted for Councilman Gary

Monahan. Being vice mayor, and the majority vote “getter,” he was the

correct choice for mayor.

Perhaps you were afraid of his aspirations to lead a city council

that would actually concentrate on important issues and make

decisions, instead of the waffling you have done in the past. Monahan

was the defibrillator that we needed on the council to get things

going, and you guys blew it.

Is this what we have to look forward to the next couple of years?

A City Council that will vote against anything Monahan supports, even

though the majority of the residents voted for him because of what he

stands for?

I would rather have brand-new rookie City Council members than

those of you who either cannot, or will not, make a decision when

presented with an important issue.

Perhaps you all should step back a minute and think about what you

are supposed to be doing as a member of the Costa Mesa City Council.

If you can’t handle it, step down before you do any more damage.

MELISSA LIPPAND

Costa Mesa

Settlement extension is nothing to celebrate

Pardon me if I don’t get out “the party hats and horns” for the

“good news,” as suggested by Newport Beach Mayor Tod Ridgeway. After

14 years of living under the John Wayne Airport flight path and

participating in the city’s Citizens Aviation Committee, I have seen

our neighborhood’s quality of life constantly compromised by those

who have yet to experience an afternoon barbecue under the constant

roar of jets overhead.

Since Mayors Tom Edwards and Clarence Turner left office, not a

single mayor or council person serving Newport Beach has lived in the

Westcliff/Dover Shores neighborhood, and it shows. Anyone who would

want to celebrate an increase of over 20% in both passengers and

flights with a 30% increase in jet gates for an extension of only 10

years, certainly doesn’t live in my neighborhood.

TOM ANDERSON

Newport Beach

Time to elect mayors like city council members

When will the city of Costa Mesa have the residents vote for our

own mayor? I believe our city is large enough now to have our own

mayor.

JOANNE FARRELL

Costa Mesa

Get a handle on noisy low-flying planes now

About four or five months ago, John Wayne Airport started

diverting the small planes from their former flight path roughly down

Jamboree Road to fly in a westerly direction over Costa Mesa after

take-off -- of course very noisy, very low altitude.

I think that’s one of the things that Costa Mesa should start

taking a look at -- all the low-flying planes over our residential

area in Costa Mesa. It doesn’t seem like anyone has addressed that

issue.

JUDITH BOOKER

Costa Mesa

Easy to sum up the new settlement extension

Re: The new John Wayne settlement agreement.

I believe it’s not good for the city.

TOM MYAN

Newport Beach

Newport Beach gives away too much in settlement

When I read the title to Evelyn Hart’s letter, I was surprised at

the word “sells” in the title (“Latest airport extension sells too

much of Newport Beach,” Saturday). It seems to me that better word

would be “gives too much of Newport Beach.”

When I sell something, I expect to get in return for my effort

something other than air pollution, traffic congestion and an

increase of noise. I expect a pleasure or profit for my efforts. I do

not see that 1 million more people passing through Newport Beach

could add to my lifestyle.

Evelyn, as usual, you are right on the issues, and thank you for

you insight.

RICHARD A. HOUGHTON

Newport Beach

New mayor should keep one eye open for messes

Chris Steel, vice mayor. What a mess. Thanks, Mr. District

Attorney. My advise for Mayor Karen Robinson: Watch your back.

Councilman Gary Monahan didn’t. Remember this also: Never wrestle

with a pig ... you both get all dirty ... and the pig loves it.

GARY DRIES

Balboa Island