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
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