A small down payment by community could...

A small down payment by community could save Kona Lanes

I believe I have the perfect solution to the Kona Lanes versus

Kohl’s dilemma.

The United States is a capitalistic democracy. That means we can

vote with our dollars, so let’s just do just that. Many people appear

to want to keep Kona Lanes. They want more recreation for their kids,

not less. I have two kids and I agree. So, let’s all organize. Let’s

buy Kona Lanes from the Segerstroms. We might as well buy the closed

theater and skating rink, too. I figure we only need about $20

million for the purchases. We can raise an extra five million to

refurbish those properties. With no loans, we could afford to rent

them to operators at way under fair market rent. That would allow the

operators to charge low entrance fees, and even with poor attendance,

still stay in business. Maybe they could even have “kids get in free”

days!

To that end, I pledge $1,000 for my tiny share of the property.

Now, if only 25,000 more of you will step up and do the same, we can

get rolling on this worthwhile community project.

MICHAEL STEINER

Costa Mesa

More bowling lanes are needed in Orange County

I would ask that the owners please reconsider tearing down Kona

Lanes. There are truly not enough bowling alleys in Orange County.

I bowl with a group of 12 to 15 people from work on Thursday

nights. When we first started our little bowling group, I tried

calling several other bowling facilities to reserve lanes and they

were, and still are, all filled up with leagues, leaving a very

minimal amount of lanes for “open bowling.” Kona Lanes came through

for us. While Kona does have league play, we are still able to get

together with our friends once a week to bowl and have a good time.

Now, I’ve read some of the letters that you’ve published that say

“there’s not enough interest in bowling anymore” or “we don’t need

another bowling alley.” But that’s just not true. I’ll bet those

people aren’t even bowlers, because they obviously haven’t researched

bowling alleys like I have. Just recently, Regal Lanes in Orange

closed its doors, and all those bowlers have had to go to Brunswick

Bowl, also in Orange. It’s always very crowded, with a long waiting

list, sometimes up to one hour, even on Sunday mornings.

Now I ask you, does this sound like nobody’s interested in

bowling? Yes, Kona Lanes could use a face-lift, maybe some new

(working) lane equipment. But all this can be accomplished, and I’m

sure that with a little money spent bowlers will come out of the

woodwork to bowl at Kona.

BRENDA ROBERGE

Orange

This youth’s ‘vote’ is no on Kohl’s department store

I agree completely with the “no” on the Kona Lanes demolition. The

kids who live in Costa Mesa will have nowhere to go to have fun,

unless you consider shopping at Target fun. Since I am not old enough

to vote, I can only strongly suggest that everyone say no.

RYAN KNAPP

Sixth grade, TeWinkle Elementary

Costa Mesa

Kona Lanes spot not right for a big department store

The last thing Costa Mesa needs is a Kohl’s department store,

especially in the neighborhood proposed. The loss of Kona Lanes as

one of the few sources of family entertainment and legitimate

landmarks in the area would be too great. Could it use an upgrade?

Sure, but the Planning Commission should help this rather than

rushing through another retail behemoth. There are other movie

theaters nearby, but almost weekly, I lament the loss of a skating

facility at Mesa Verde as I drive to Anaheim at least once a week to

play hockey. The same sense of loss would exist for Kona. The area is

a bad fit for Kohl’s. Comparing such giant stores as Ikea in Tustin

near my work, one can see they need to exist far from residences. Nor

can the streets support the traffic burdens.

Further, I have lived near closed, outdated retail centers in Long

Beach and Huntington Beach that became blights on the landscape for

years and dragged down the neighborhood, once struggling or closed.

Each included a Montgomery Ward’s. The proposed space had two Targets

within driving distance, a Big K, and the enormous bustle of South

Coast Plaza only a couple of miles away, not to mention Triangle

Square and the rest. And if Kohl’s turns out to be the next Ward’s,

K-Mart, Silo or Federated? An empty 95,000-square-foot building is

just what we don’t need!

BRIAN SHARKLEY

Costa Mesa

Money to keep Trinity lights on could be better spent

Re: “No reason to attack Trinity Broadcasting,” letter from

Newport Beach, Feb. 21: The author defends Trinity and accuses

another author of “trying to strip them (Trinity) of protected

freedoms and constitutional rights.” Regardless of the legalities,

nonprofit groups have an ethical duty to use those extra monetary

benefits to the advantage of their constituents. In this case,

Trinity’s constituents are “God’s lost souls.”

I feel a rush of contempt each time I drive by this overly lighted

palatial “house of God.” Nonprofit benefits ought to be utilized to

house the homeless and feed the hungry, not illuminate the very

“castles” that Jesus Christ admonished in the strongest way.

Religious organizations do much good in this world; but when their

actions toe the line of morality, they leave themselves open to

closer scrutiny. Bottom line: The money wasted on frivolous

electricity could be better spent.

J.B. LITVAK

Cosa Mesa

Newport Beach’s elections should mirror the nation’s

I feel the need that we should have the same qualifications as a

federal government campaign as far as the Newport campaign reform.

JAMES ORSTAD

Newport Beach