‘Last Word’ on ficus trees was...
‘Last Word’ on ficus trees was false advertising
The “Last Word” on Sunday is not quite. You left out one minor
detail ... 54,000 taxpayer dollars paid to the Balboa Arbor Society
to cover its attorney fees. Now, that is the last word unless people
like myself feel that it is OK squandering our dollars when they
could have been put to better use than paying the tree huggers’
attorneys.
RHODA FRIEDMAN
Newport Beach
A few more points on a potential El Toro airport
Leonard Kranser wisely points out that demand figures for the
two-airport Orange County airport system were quickly abandoned when
resettlement of the John Wayne limits were renegotiated (“Orange
County not right place for big airport,” Dec 17). He fails to mention, however, that the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on
John Wayne limits, but the two-airport plan was 3 to 2.
The supervisors have the same information Kranser has, namely that
there are people in the noise zone at John Wayne Airport, but no one
is in the noise zone of the planned El Toro airport, even when
operating at 30 million annual passengers. The fatal flaw in
Kranser’s reasoning, however, is that we do not need the large
planned El Toro airport. Clearly, that airport can not be John Wayne.
The demand is there. Ignoring the demand does not solve the problem.
Finally, he asks what would have happened in Orange County if the
Marines had not decided to leave El Toro. A past commanding general
of the base has said he would be in favor of joint military and
commercial use of the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration
had a large aviation traffic handling facility at El Toro more than
20 years ago. The administration holds title to hundreds of acres of
El Toro for future needs. No doubt this aviation use upsets Kranser.
DONALD NYRE
Newport Beach
Local politicians should not resort to these tactics
When we think of politics, we generally think of dishonesty (or
worse). And, while this is a valid view, it doesn’t have to be that
way (especially at the local level). This past Newport Beach City
Council election featured a political consultant, Dave Ellis, with a
track record of questionable campaign tactics. In this election
alone, he lied about the message and only took partial responsibility
after he was caught in the lie. And, because Councilman Gary Adams
hired Ellis, he placed himself in a precarious position as well. Yes,
an investigation is definitely warranted.
Politics is a dirty business; but, we want our local politics to
be run cleanly -- free of individuals who have difficulty working
within the parameters of acceptable ethical behavior. Message to
Adams, Ellis and others with questionable ethics: Admit what you’ve
done, take unwavering responsibility and quit being part of what is
wrong with our country.
J.B. LITVAK
Costa Mesa
Leece played an important role in the community
I read with great amusement the letters published in the Daily
Pilot demanding that you cease publishing letters about, photos of or
comments from Wendy Leece. I especially enjoyed the fact that they
appeared on the same page as an editorial praising Leece, among
others, for her hard work and contributions to the community.
Leece, whether you agree with any or all of her positions on how
to educate our children, provided a very valuable service to this
community. She stimulated debate of issues that might otherwise have
been ignored. Her lone voice raised the level of interest by citizens
of this community in the educational process that continues to do an
unsatisfactory job of educating many of our children. Only time will
tell if her ouster from the school board will result in a better
education for our children.
In the meantime, rather than muffle her comments, my suggestion to
the Daily Pilot is, invite Leece to write an occasional commentary on
educational issues she feels are important to the well-being of the
children of this community.
GEOFF WEST
Costa Mesa
Thanks to the Daily Pilot and Congressman Chris Cox
Enclosed is a copy of a letter I recently received from our
congressman, Rep. Chris Cox. The Daily Pilot was an integral part of
this action. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Communication is extremely important, in families, in business, in
politics and in life itself. I became irritated with the congressman
after no response to several letters I had written about a 250%
increase in medication cost at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital.
Cox had been working on the subject and ensured me of a “faster
response in the future.” The letter I submitted to the Pilot, which
was printed on Nov. 15, ignited the whole project. Thanks.
I will be in touch with the congressman’s office to follow up on
the subject. A special copy of his letter has been forwarded to The
American Legion Magazine, which is headquartered in Indiana, to
advise all fellow legionnaires throughout the country to get in touch
with their representative and get behind Cox and his bill, HR 2820,
as well as to tell them about the very important action by Cox to
present to the new Congress an action to immediately repeal the
increased co-payments.
Communication is a wonderful thing. Let’s keep it up.
BOB BRENNAN
Newport Beach
What Corona del Mar beach needs is more sand
As well as architectural improvements for our small beach, we need
new sand. No new sand is carried to the shore because of the jetty,
and the old sand is depleted and worn out.
ALICE REMER
Corona del Mar
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