Back Bay construction an unnecessary expense...

Back Bay construction an unnecessary expense

No, we don’t need nor want a boardwalk in the Back Bay.

Four-million dollars or more for a walk that won’t stop people from

getting “off the path,” won’t stop people from letting their dogs run

off-leash, won’t save the Least Tern’s nesting grounds (which are on

sandy spits and gravel shores), will ruin the “Natural Look” of the

Back Bay, will cost more money for upkeep year after year (look at

the dilapidated wood walk by the little lake out of Big Canyon), and

finally, takes away the experience of being in a “wild place

communing with nature.”

Boardwalks are noisy, and confining human foot traffic, bike

traffic, dogs and horses to one walkway is a recipe for disaster (the

boardwalk at the foot of University Drive is an example of dangerous

traffic with no avenue of escape).

I can’t conceive that there’s that much wildlife being disturbed

in the small area known as the Back Bay to warrant spending millions

while destroying the nature experience for all.

LYNETTE METHENY

Newport Beach

Two foundations for school money was right on

I have been watching recent articles regarding the Home Ranch

school money foundations with great interest.

I recently retired after teaching 32 years at Costa Mesa High

School. During my tenure there, I had the privilege of serving on the

school site council on numerous occasions with my colleagues, parents

and students. The experience I garnered in that capacity, being

entrusted with the fair and equitable disbursement of school

improvement funds to the entire school community, leads me to tell

you that the recent City Council decision to approve two foundations

was absolutely correct and just.

The disbursement of funds is a difficult and challenging task to

perform on site with all the stakeholders being represented by a

strictly prescribed 12-member site council. The proposed single

foundation to be formed by the City Council as outlined in previous

articles would have generated tremendous administrative difficulties

and unnecessary bureaucracy. I believe that the schools, students,

teachers and communities involved will now finally benefit

appropriately from the two foundations being established.

JUDITH L. REDENBAUGH

Costa Mesa

Thanks for a look at a wealth of knowledge

I’d like to thank the Daily Pilot for the recent Q&A; with former

mayor and Costa Mesa historian Bob Wilson. I’ve had the pleasure of

meeting Wilson on several occasions and found him to be an absolute

wealth of knowledge. His take on Costa Mesa history and his unedited

candor are truly refreshing. I could listen to him for hours on end,

and I’m sure he would accommodate me. He is definitely a treasure to

our great community.

MICHAEL CAREY

Costa Mesa

The mayor set it straight in his letter

I am very pleased to see the letter written by our mayor, Steve

Bromberg, regarding Joe Bell’s columns, “The Bell Curve” (“Bell Curve

missed with swing against council,” Jan. 16). The mayor very clearly

and, I believe, firmly states the situation, and it seems to me that

Bell did indeed either not understand or properly state the

circumstances.

Clearly, Bromberg knows whether Dave Ellis was his campaign

manager.

I was aware that the $3.6 million paid to the Airport Working

Group was paid to the group and not paid directly from the city to

Ellis. I was not aware, however, and found it quite enlightening to

learn that both Phil Arst and Rick Taylor were officers and voting

directors working for this group.

I think we need some and balanced reporting, and I commend our

mayor for helping to set the record straight. I don’t want to sound

like Rodney King, but when can we all get along?

JOHN W. HAMILTON

Newport Beach