Letter writer set progress back 40 years...

Letter writer set progress back 40 years

Eureka! Ila Johnson (Community Commentary, “There’s no good reason

to march,” Tuesday) has discovered a time machine that has

transported her back to the 1960s in the deep south. If you just

substitute “Negro” for “homosexual” within her angry article, you

will discover Johnson’s secret to time travel.

DEVAN MULLINS

Newport Beach

Music was too loud for

this reader’s Taste

I read with interest “Taste of Newport a little Sugar Ray,” in

Saturday’s Daily Pilot.

My wife and I live on El Modena Avenue in Newport Heights, at

least two or three miles away from Newport Center, where the Taste of

Newport is held.

Last year, about 11 p.m., we were awakened by music that was so

unbelievably loud that I thought our next door neighbor was blasting

his stereo. When I went to investigate, it sounded like the music was

coming from the next block. I got in my car, and finally found that

the music was coming all the way from the Taste of Newport.

I hate to be a spoil sport, but music should not even be heard two

or three miles away, let alone be loud. I hope the volume will be

turned down a bit this year.

ALLEN DRUCKER

Newport Beach

Eminent domain makes

sense on the Westside

Ocean bluff property, one-half to two miles from the beach,

cluttered with boat yards, industrial strip buildings and run down

shopping centers. This scenario just does not make sense in 2003.

Think of the difference in value between the bluffs on the Eastside

versus the bluffs on the Westside, which are maybe two miles apart.

I think eminent domain should be used to redevelop the Westside

(Closer Look, “Westside plans concern residents, too,” Tuesday).

Unfortunately, people’s lives are rooted in the Westside, and this

cannot be disregarded. However, the disruption on people’s lives can

be minimized.

Like redevelopment projects in Chicago and other cities, current

residents should be given access to affordable housing in the new

development. (It is just the cost of redevelopment.) Also, like

projects in other cities, strict rules for house/yard upkeep must be

enforced.

Whether a business can remain should depend on the business.

Businesses that emit odor or other pollutants need to be relocated to

an industrial part of Orange County. Therefore, some of the business

owners and employees will have to bite the bullet with a longer

commute. However, even a displaced owner would have to admit that the

current use of Westside property is ridiculous.

The Westside reminds me of Huntington Beach 15 years ago. Any

truthful person would admit that Huntington is better off today.

ROBERT SOMERS

Costa Mesa