Remaining ficus is not the best...

Remaining ficus is not the best example of what’s lost

The remaining ficus tree in front of the Balboa Inn is very

unattractive. There is hardly any foliage, most of the branches are

bare and the tree appears to be in very poor health. This is the one

ficus tree of all that were there that offers no shade. In my

opinion, if the tree can not be nurtured back to health, it should be

replaced with a tree that will grow well in sand.

EARL WILSON

Balboa

Candidates should look in mirror for cause of defeat

When some candidates lose their elections, they often need someone

other than themselves to blame. Two recent losing candidates, Richard

Taylor from Newport Beach and Linda Dixon from Costa Mesa, are trying

to pin their losses on David Ellis, a political consultant.

Dixon was quoted as saying in the Pilot’s story about Ellis: “He

said he was going to get me.” No, the voters of Costa Mesa “got you,”

got you out of office. I, for one, am thankful for Ellis’ expertise

and his ability to educate voters about the shortcomings of elected

officials such as Dixon, a Democrat.

City residents, even in Orange County, have had to suffer under

Democrat activists who are drawn to the machinery of local

government. It seems most Republicans prefer a smaller government

that does not meddle and would rather spend their time working to

succeed in business than clamor to run city hall. Democrats love and

abuse power on all levels, often doing their most damage when they

are in city government.

It’s a good thing that there is a local professional consultant

who is skillful enough to beat local Democrats. Please, no more

whining letters or stories complaining about Dave Ellis or his

successful candidates -- it’s time to look in the mirror.

DAVE SNYDER

Costa Mesa

Bridge at 19th Street would harm Eastside Costa Mesa

I find it interesting that they want to gum up the extension again

[of the 19th Street bridge]. I remember when Harriet Wieder was the

Board of Supervisors person. At that time, we on the Eastside

gathered signatures and we got support from Huntington Beach and also

met for the purpose of taking the bridge off the master plan.

I don’t know what people on the Westside think, but if they would

ever put the bridge in, it would not benefit any business on the

Westside, it would just create a freeway between Huntington Beach and

Newport Beach and it would disrupt the traffic on the Eastside.

We have traffic as it is on 19th Street accessing the freeway, but

I can’t imagine what it would do if they wanted to put a bridge in.

It would do to East 19th Street what was done to Victoria Street. It

would cause several homes to be removed and people would be

displaced, have to be relocated, and at whose expense? I don’t think

it’s a good idea. I can’t imagine what they’re thinking about.

This is a nice city. Why do we want to appease the people of

Newport Beach ... and at the same time disrupt our lifestyle on the

Eastside? So, I would be against it.

JUNE MCKINZIE

Costa Mesa

Money saved on raises could help 900 students

In the Dec. 12 story, “Junior college presidents don’t get

raises,” it was reported that I said that $60,000 in raises could

fund five freshman composition courses at Orange Coast College.

The number of courses that could be funded with the money saved is

far greater. Each raise of $18,000 could fund five classes; since six

raises were proposed, 30 English classes could be funded. With each

class serving 30 students, the savings could provide this important

transfer class for 900 students. Similar levels of needed instruction

could be restored in other departments.

At the beginning of the fall semester, class sections were slashed

campus-wide at OCC for the 2002-03 academic year; English and math

classes in particular fell far short of meeting demand. With more

cuts expected, many students will again be unable to enroll in the

classes they need this spring. I hope the spare money the district

has found can be applied to maintaining student instruction.

TAMAR GOLDMANN

Costa Mesa