Bell a beacon in conservative bastion I...

Bell a beacon in conservative bastion

I wanted to just let Joseph Bell know how much I, my husband and

my mother appreciated his wonderful column on Oct. 28 in the Pilot,

“This year’s election most important ever,” expressing his feelings

about this year’s election and how important it is to unseat

President Bush.

We were so touched and moved by his courage to print that in an

area that is so strongly conservative. We are Democrats in a sea of

Republicans, which is fine, but this particular election, we don’t

feel like we have just a Republican for president, we feel like we

have a very, very dangerous man. So anyway, again, Mr. Bell, thank

you so much for your insightful and courageous column.

SHELLIE ERVIN

Costa Mesa

Mayor’s comments don’t sit well

What an astonishing quote on the Measure L outcome by Mayor Tod

Ridgeway in the Pilot’s story on Nov. 4, “New parkland measures due.”

He actually said “ ... if it was up to me ... I would ask for more

commercial proposals....”

This, the day after more than 66% of his constituents told him

(for the fourth time in four years, I might add) that they want just

the opposite. How stubbornly insensitive can one man get?

In addition to showing incredibly poor judgment, he seems to

already be building a barrier to any forthcoming efforts to calmly

and rationally mobilize an alerted citizenry to help the city follow

the dictates of the electorate to utilize the land for its intended

purpose. Is this leadership? Is it any wonder that his council’s

every move is questioned as to motive and intent? Those of us who

were actively involved in the defeat of Measure L are ready to go to

work and help to finish the job that the people want done. We’ll play

any constructive role the city deems appropriate, but we won’t go

away.

JOSEPH F. O’HORA

Newport Beach