Costa Mesa City Council should think...

Costa Mesa City Council should think for itself on bridge issue

Chris Fewel’s letter to the editor (“Why the 19th Street bridge is

no good,” Dec. 10) brings some very refreshing critical thinking to

the 19th Street bridge issue and the recent vote by the Community

Redevelopment Action Committee to ask the City Council to study the

economic impact of a 19th Street bridge across Talbert Regional Park.

My many years of involvement with real estate development have

convinced me that most studies, when not otherwise required by law or

by a lending institution, are a crutch for people who are unwilling

or unable to think for themselves.

As a longtime resident of the Westside, and as a member of the

Community Redevelopment Action Committee, I have never heard a

rational argument in favor of this bridge. Fewel has provided an

excellent argument against the bridge, and like him, I voted against

asking the City Council to fund this study.

I would vote, however, to ask the City Council members to use

their own brains and think for themselves.

BOB WINE

Costa Mesa

Praise for Wendy Leece belongs on Forum pages, not the front page

I am outraged that you would publish such a tawdry attempt at

defending Wendy Leece and bashing the Newport Mesa teachers

(“Teachers’ union flexes political muscle,” Monday).

You have run several articles lamenting the defeat of Leece, as if

you know what is best for the Newport-Mesa school district, even

though the voters, trustees and teachers have repudiated her attempt

to subvert public education with her religious fundamentalism. You

should be thankful that the teacher’s union is acting to protect

science education and the separation of church and state from

unlawful incursions of religious dogma.

Please stop editorializing on the front page of your paper and

bring us some news without your self-righteous right-wing bias.

JAMES E. YOUNG

Newport Beach

Newport Beach does not need more help from Cox in airport fight

To Rep. Chris Cox:

First prize in mea culpa. Extending curfews and other restrictions

at John Wayne is no match for having El Toro as a working civilian

and freight airport. Why did he lead the horse out of the U.S. Navy

barn in the first instance? Locking the doors now is hardly the

answer.

Newport Beach and Costa Mesa should get with the Department of

Transportation now without a perfidious middle man.

LUCILLE KUEHN

Newport Beach

* Lucille Kuehn is a former Newport Beach councilwoman.

Election of Robinson for mayor a good change for Costa Mesa

Re: Gary Monahan’s “stunned look” at the Costa Mesa City Council

meeting (“Robinson’s election a surprise twist in City Hall,” Dec.

7).

Many of us were stunned at the nonelection of former Councilwoman

Linda Dixon just weeks earlier. As to Councilman Chris Steel’s

“sucker punch,” I don’t regard it any less of a blow than Councilman

Allan Mansoor being elected over a very proven and capable Dixon.

Never thought I’d see the day I’d applaud Steel, but “hear! hear!”

As a 27-year resident of the city, I like our chances with Mayor

Karen Robinson. Best of all, I feel she’s an independent.

To Libby Cowan, good call.

ROBERT SMITH

Costa Mesa