Lots of talk about talking in St....

Lots of talk about talking in St. Andrew’s story

The Pilot article on June 26, “Talks underway for St. Andrew’s

expansion,” mentioned that talks were underway about St. Andrew’s

expansion and the neighbors had held three meetings since May. If

this is true, who was invited? What was discussed? Where were these

meetings held?

As neighbors, we most certainly were not made aware of these

meetings, nor were some others in closest proximity to where the

construction will take place.

Finally, why did these meetings take place? It is our

understanding that the Planning Commission’s job is to approve or

disapprove the existing plan and environmental report.

ELAINE AND

RICHARD ENGLAND

Newport Beach

Alleged acts are products of ‘justice for wealthy’

I’m glad to see that Greg Haidl, son of Orange County Assistant

Sheriff Don Haidl, is enjoying his time off between trials, getting

high and hangin’ with underage chicks. Isn’t that how he got into

this predicament to begin with?

I would think most people out on bail after a nationally

publicized mistrial would go out of their way to stay out of trouble,

but not Greg Haidl. His various run-ins with the law since this whole

affair began seem to show that he thinks he’s above the law,

including a statutory rape charge from his most recent escapade.

Here’s hoping justice is eventually served to his previous victim,

Jane Doe, who got raked over the coals by Haidl’s army of high-priced

attorneys, investigators and mudslingers. This whole predicament just

goes to show there are two justice systems in our country: the one

for the ridiculously wealthy, and the one for everyone else.

MIKE MCNIFF

Costa Mesa

Funding teachers is the foundation’s mission

Regarding Lefteris Lavrakas’ letter Tuesday on the Pilot’s recent

announcement of the Newport- Mesa Schools Foundation awards,

criticism of the Newport-Mesa School Foundation’s failure to

recognize Latino students (or any students) is misdirected (“Not

pleased with the lack of Latino names”).

The mission of the foundation is to provide funds to certified

teachers in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to purchase or

produce materials for programs and projects that are creative,

innovative and responsive to student needs -- not to recognize

students.

A grant-reader’s committee composed of more than 100 community

members, representing educational, business, civic and nonprofit

sectors read, critique and score each application without knowledge

of the applicant or the school. The foundation board members do not

score grants.

Through this past year, the foundation has donated more than $1.4

million in grants.

While the mission of the foundation is to fund teacher-based

projects, based upon simple Costa Mesa demographics, there is no

doubt that many Latino students are the direct beneficiaries of the

projects funded by our grants.

BRUCE GARLICH

Costa Mesa

* BRUCE GARLICH is a board member of the Newport-Mesa Schools

Foundation.

A parade of suggestions for Newport Beach

My wife and I visit beautiful Newport Beach often to visit our

daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

We attended the Fourth of July parade at Mariners Park the last

two years and were reminded of how it seems to be very much like the

parade in our home town.

We live in Willimantic, Conn., and each year on the Fourth, there

is a huge people’s parade down our Main Street. The parade, like

yours, is unaccompanied by marching bands. Residents of all ages walk

and ride bikes, scooters and homemade floats, etc. As in the Mariners

parade, patriotic bunting and flags prevail.

There is one important distinction in the two parades I would like

to recommend be considered for Newport Beach. In Willimantic, a local

radio station broadcasts a medley of patriotic marches during the

parade, and marchers are encouraged to carry boom boxes along the

parade route. The patriotic music adds considerable excitement to the

event.

We’ll be returning to Newport Beach for the next Fourth of July

parade, and we hope that music will be incorporated in the manner

suggested.

BILL AND MARY LOU

HADDAD

Willimantic, Conn.