With Robinsons’ deaths, Back Bay has lost...

With Robinsons’ deaths, Back Bay has lost its best friends

The Back Bay has indeed lost another longtime friend in the

passing of Frank Robinson.

But both he and his wonderful wife, Frances, will be long

remembered and much loved by those of us who take such pleasure and

are always amazed in our precious gift of their dogged determination

and vision.

Thank God for people like the Robinsons whose mettle in the face

of giant corporate power has not only given us a place uplifting to

our souls, but has given a much-needed refuge to the harried

migratory birds, local endangered species and the myriad of fish and

crustacean species whose breeding cycle depends upon those brackish

waters.

Thank you, Frances and Frank, and may flights of shorebirds sing

thee to thy rest.

WALLACE WOOD

Costa Mesa

Fran and Frank Robinson will be sorely missed by the community

I first met Frank Robinson while completing an assignment at Cal

State Fullerton. He graciously agreed to serve as part of a panel for

a radio program, and spoke as eloquently and passionately to me and

for the program as he undoubtedly had the first zillion times he

related the details about Upper Newport Bay’s proposed development.

It was 15 years before our paths would cross again, when I joined the

Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends. There was Frank, attending our

classes and delivering the history portion of the tour for the

Friends of Newport Bay, as enthusiastically as ever.

I invite anyone and everyone to come by the Interpretive Center or

contact the Daily Pilot and share their favorite stories about Frank.

One man, one woman, one couple, helped rewrite history. Together,

they helped to make a difference. The fact that Frank and Fran were

two of the sweetest people to walk the face of the Earth was icing on

the cake.

AMY LITTON

Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa is not anti-business, rather it is pro-resident

I’m writing in response to the letter from Mark Les regarding the

Kohl’s project. I was one of the 25 people who spoke against the

location of the Kohl’s project. The City Council clearly stated in

their motion the legal reasons and cited municipal code sections for

denying the project. In addition, they more than adequately addressed

the traffic study issue. I applaud Mayor Karen Robinson and

Councilmen Chris Steel, Gary Monahan and Allan Mansoor for listening

to the community who sent letters, spoke, and signed petitions

against this project location. A project this size at this location

would cause a significant quality of life issue for the residents of

Costa Mesa.

I suggest anyone take a drive around Costa Mesa and then tell me

our City Council is anti-business. Within a 3- to 5-mile radius of my

Halecrest neighbor, I have Metro Point, Target, Home Depot, South

Coast Plaza, Kmart and Home Ranch, not to mention many more small

retail businesses. Councilwoman Libby Cowan’s comments that we live

in an urbanized area and should accept traffic as a way of life were

appalling. Before the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, I guess we

should have accepted polluted water and filthy air as a way of life,

too.

The message the City Council sent that night isn’t “frightening

for our property values and future for the city.” It’s a blessing

that we have a City Council that recognizes the value of

neighborhoods and the quality of life for its residents, which

translate into a better community.. Each City Council member clearly

stated the reasons for denying the project, which included cumulative

impacts, traffic and general plan inconsistencies. No council member

spoke against Kohl’s as a retail chain, only the proposed location

for a store this size.

I know who I’ll be voting for in the next City Council election.

EDWARD MAZZARELLA

Costa Mesa

Council listened and made right decision on Kohl’s project

In response to the letter by Mark Les (“Strictly anti-business,”

Saturday), I must question a few points.

Regarding the Kohl’s project on the site of Kona Lanes, because it

is legal, or fits within the guidelines of the cities limits, does

not make it right. There is no question that such a project would

create a larger traffic problem than we already have in this area.

The topic of the 99ould store was brought up. Remember this: The 99ould

store only occupied an existing, vacant building. Nothing new was

added.

Using Les’ own numbers, as I did not count them myself as I

watched, you have to question something. Twenty-five of 28 speakers

were against the project. Two in favor of the project were residents

who backed directly to the Kohl’s project and received some sort of

concessions from Kohl’s; this they admitted. The other in favor owns

the shopping mall directly across the street from the project and is

certain to gain a large visual impact from the prospective Kohl’s

clients. I have to question if they are really in favor of what is

best for Costa Mesa.

I find it odd that nobody anywhere in the city was there to speak

in favor of the Kohl’s project. The directive of a City Council is to

listen to its city residents. If that was not done at the last City

Council meeting, I would question what listening really is. The

council did its job: listen to the residents, decide what is in the

best interest of its residents and make a choice based on that.

I applaud the City Council for standing up and making the proper

choice.

TOM SIMRAK

Costa Mesa

Too bad council didn’t vote the same way on Home Ranch

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the City Council voted

against the proposed Kohl’s project in the Mesa Verde Center. If

Kohl’s is such a wonderful company, I suggest that they open a store

in South Coast Plaza. That is where Costa Mesa residents go when they

want to buy the products Kohl’s offers.

The Mesa Verde Center has been revived over the past 3 1/2 years.

I make every effort to stay away from big, box-type stores. I am also

getting tired of the argument that we should not interfere with an

owner’s right to develop their property. Because we live in a

“community,” we must also consider the rights of those affected by

the development.

While I was momentarily able to enjoy the vote on the Kohl’s

project, the reality is I wished the City Council had the same

attitude when the Home Ranch project was on the table.

BARRY SAMUELS

Costa Mesa

No Kohl’s department store, no matter the future of Kona Lane

Whether or not there is a Kona Lanes, we are strongly opposed to

Kohl’s, definitely unequivocally opposed to building the Kohl’s in

that location.

FRED ARNOLD

Costa Mesa

Other council debates were more troubling than Kohl’s

Although the City Council did a great service to the community by

rejecting a Kohl’s at the Mesa Verde Center, I was troubled by a

debate on program funding that occurred late Monday night.

It’s no secret that Councilmen Allan Mansoor and Chris Steel would

like to cut funds aimed at low-income residents. With residents like

Martin Millard, who on Monday complained because a city-funded

program had too many Latino students, there’s certainly a fear that

extremely beneficial programs like “Save Our Youth” may be in

jeopardy.

Let me just say that I’ve seen what some of these programs can do

to help our local youths. It’s sad that some residents and council

members would even consider eliminating such programs, as they have

given numerous teens and young adults higher education opportunities.

If these critics are serious about sweeping up our streets, then

they should recognize that it’s better to have a young adult go on to

college rather than having him or her hang around the local

convenience store.

MICHAEL DIAMOND

Costa Mesa