Nichols in the hot seat

I don’t think Dick Nichols should resign. He is right.

When we’ve gone down there to use Corona del Mar State Beach,

we’ve been leered at and jeered at by nothing but people from large

families, particularly Mexicans on the grass. And I have nothing

against Mexicans, I think they are wonderful people, but they do

stake out this grassy area and some of the sand area and they give

you very bad looks. It is like they are taking over the whole beach.

I think if any one group were behaving that way, no matter who they

are, they should be told that they cannot expand their area. They

should stay to the grassy area that they are now, so others can walk

by and feel at peace, because it is very intimidating.

SUE COSTANZO

Newport Coast

I am upset about this councilman Nichols’ statement about Mexicans

and the grass. And then following up by saying that he didn’t mean to

be racist, that he just didn’t want people that were not in the area

using the grass. That logic would follow through to say that unless

you are a Newport Beach resident, you couldn’t use the beaches at

Newport, you couldn’t use the roads in Newport, you couldn’t use the

restaurants in Newport. Nichols is way out of line and should resign.

He’s an embarrassment.

JOHNNY CALHOUN

Newport Beach

We feel that Nichols should resign immediately.

ELEANOR and IRVING BURG

Corona del Mar

Reading the Pilot and the request that Dick Nichols resign, I say

definitely not. I think Bromberg is way out of line in picking up the

issue on the Mexicans. Nobody has any problems with the Mexicans down

here but this probably could have sparked further discussion, not

favorable to the Mexicans. Tell Bromberg that this citizen definitely

supports Nichols.

ORIN BERGE

Corona del Mar

I was born in Orange County, I am 52-years-old, and I don’t think

Dick Nichols should resign.

It is kind of a breath of fresh air when a politician actually

tells you what he is thinking. I’m sure it does make the mayor of

Newport Beach uncomfortable when one of his colleagues says actually

what is on his mind, instead of thinking out everything and trying to

please everybody. You can’t please everybody. I’d much rather have a

man tell me what is on his mind and be honest. I don’t think there is

anything wrong with that. We all have the right to feel any way we

want. That is what makes America what it is today. It is kind of sad

when a white man sticks up for himself and he gets called a racist.

For a Mexican to bad mouth a white man, they just say he is proud to

be a Mexican. They should be grateful they are in this country.

DAVID MCLEAN

Newport Beach

I ‘d like to suggest that Nichols resign for his disgusting

comment about minorities.

FRANK DAYAW

Newport Beach

I am calling to encourage Councilman Nichols to not resign and

hang in there.

WALTER DRAKE

Corona del Mar

I think Nichols should stay in office, but if he is going to, he

should take a class in diplomacy, cultural awareness and Spanish

lessons.

BETTY BEHR

Newport Beach

Yes, and I wish that the Costa Mesa city council have as much

courage to ask the same thing of two representatives, Allan Mansoor

and Chris Steel and at the same time, a few citizens who continually

berate a lot of the Latino community within the Westside.

RUSS RAMIREZ

Costa Mesa

And the saddest part of all, and the greatest cut of all is

Nichols sincerely believes that he did not say anything

discriminatory, racist, or bigoted. His remarks came out of his heart

as naturally and without hesitation as “I love you” comes out of the

hearts of lovers. He absolutely has no consciousness of the context

in which he speaks because those feelings are tattooed to his soul.

If he were to apologize, his words would not be sincere because he

senses no wrong. Yet, I harbor no anger, no animosity, no hatred

against him because he is just a man as I am. He loves his wife as I

love mine, loves his children as I do mine, dedicates himself to his

community as I also do and makes mistakes as I often do. We are the

same, even though I am Hispanic and he is not, and if I were to

harbor any resentment it would poison me more than it would him, and

I want neither one of us to hurt. So, I forgive him and accept him as

he is.

I live in Newport Beach, (a long way from the concrete garage

floor I once knew as bed while a kid in L.A.) and have a large yard.

Nichols is welcomed to come picnic on my grassy knolls any time he

wants.

I personally want to thank all the readers that responded in

surprise and in shock to Nichols’ remarks. It shows that there is a

sincere respect and acceptance of diversity.

I congratulate the Pilot for its courageous and accurate

reporting. It’s refreshing and encouraging to see the Pilot step off

the Yellow Brick Road to traverse the tapestry of our community’s

diversity. Yes, I know that John Birch is still a prominent citizen

here in Orange County, but so is Juan Jose, Bui Nguyen, Mahta Gupta,

Gladys Knight and every other ethnic character in our story book. We

are now a multi-colored, Kaleidoscopic garden and it pleases me to

see the Daily Pilot not be color intolerant but instead be color

sensitive and color aware.

AL ENCINIAS

Newport Beach