Build more hotels, since parks require too...

Build more hotels, since parks require too much mowing

Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. We should let Marinapark

developer Stephen Sutherland build a five-star hotel in Marinapark

because it will generate revenue for the city. Good idea! Imagine how

much money we could make if we developed all the parks! They’re not

really pulling their weight and require much too much mowing.

ANDREA LINGLE

Newport Beach

Not much to be gained by selling the fairgrounds

I guess the California Performance Review commission has never

driven by the fairgrounds on any weekend of the year, or they

wouldn’t have the opinion that it is underused.

There are so many events that take place at the grounds, the auto

cruises (several a year), Native American Pow Wow, senior fairs,

health fairs, gun shows and many others, plus the huge, weekly Orange

County Market Place.

What would be gained by the state selling this landmark? Not much

except a one-time, lump sum of money that the politicians would waste

on some pet project of theirs. What would Orange County get? Probably

not much, if anything. In my opinion, it should not be sold.

JOE CORTEZ

Costa Mesa

Resort developer doesn’t speak for most peninsula residents

I read about Marinapark in today’s Pilot (“Marinapark project

battle goes public) and I cannot believe what developer Stephen

Sutherland said. The last thing peninsula residents want is this

“Great Park” with a soccer field and a boat launch ramp.

Who is he to say what the residents want? That statement is

reflective of an elitist. The chamber of Newport Beach should be

looked at with a bit of skepticism, since they endorsed the hotel

project. Looks like the chamber is selling out for who can pay to be

a member, since parks do not join chambers or line the pockets of

chamber leaders.

This is the last piece of city-owned land that has been paid for

by the residents, and the land is on tidelands property. There is not

a single public park with parking anywhere on the harbor. Where the

house trailers are now can be a parking lot for visitors and cars

towing boat trailers.

He mentions sailing lessons that will be provided by the city, not

his hotel. His little dock area is for hotel guests only, and the

docks are tiny. Maybe a 13-foot whaler might fit in a slip.

Let Sutherland take his hotel and his attitude to another city

like Malibu, where I challenge you to just try to access the public

beach.

And lastly, he mentions parking. Give me a break. Where will his

staff park, and where will the people park for an event?

BAILEY SUMERS

Balboa Peninsula

All churches couldn’t

expand, could they?

Regarding the proposed expansion of St. Andrew’s Church in Newport

Beach, what would happen if every church in Newport Beach claimed

they needed more room to serve the community, and each sought a

variance of 20,000 additional feet? Would, or could, the city give it

to each one?

DON YUST

Newport Beach

Judge Gardner’s columns

ought to be novelized

I just wanted to ask if Judge Robert Gardner -- whose column, I

guess, is not being published anymore because he’s retired -- has a

book of all of his columns or a compilation of his columns. I truly

want to read them, because I’m a longtime resident of the area, since

1964.

JAY ALLEN

Costa Mesa