People should have say on Triangle Square...

People should have say on Triangle Square

I am surprised to see so many comments on Triangle Square. It

seems to me that the problem with Nike is the same as the continuing

problems throughout Costa Mesa.

Compare 1901 Newport Blvd. to Triangle Square, built under the

“direction” of our elected officials by interests outside of Costa

Mesa, by funds from you and me with the all-too-predictable end

results.

The compromise-driven philosophy, which results from “consensus”

(as driven by the builder) to create the highest profit-to- cost

ratio, continues unimpeded by our legions of officials and employees

almost 12 years later.

Poor parking, isolated placement, limited access, lack of traffic

planning (remember our council member who stated publicly that she

would not visit this part of town because of traffic?).

That and a disinterest for Costa Mesans and their comments

continues.

When will our leaders realize the desires of businesses that run

this city are ongoing and will not change until they are held to

standards that the people of Costa Mesa are held to. Our city has

been labeled as the “cheapest” city in California, a label that too

many of our leaders see as complimentary. Who do we think is looking

for the “cheapest”?

Obviously not Tiffany’s, but more likely “super sloppy” oil change

and a “plethora” of similar-thinking operators.

Who was it that said “If you keep doing what you have always done,

you will keep getting what you already have”?

MIKE BERRY

Costa Mesa

Critical issue the city should take a look at

Regarding Niketown officials wanting to get out of the their lease

and leave Triangle Square, I believe one of the key issues there is

the expansion of 19th Street to Brookhurst Street in Huntington

Beach, which would open up that whole area down in south Huntington

Beach with high-income families, to be able to shop at Triangle

Square and along 19th Street. It think it’s a critical issue that the

city has never given a fair look, and I think it needs to be done.

ROBERT GRAHAM

Costa Mesa

Women on council ought to chill out

I wholeheartedly agree with M.K. Grove and her letter to the

editor, which appeared on Thursday (“Council members need to stop

bickering”). I, too, am a female resident of Costa Mesa and a native

of this fine city.

My husband of 27 years and our three children are all proud Costa

Mesans. I am often embarrassed and saddened by some of the comments

by the women on our council. Get with the program, and realize that

you will not be very productive as a council or team if you continue

with your personal agendas. No one is ganging up on you, “girls.”

Relax, and please consider what is best for our city, not what is

best for you.

J.E. WALKER

Costa Mesa

Square could use

an antique touch

I don’t shop there, because I have considered the parking

dangerous, and because several bad things have happened there.

Also, I’ve always thought it would make a wonderful antique mall.

The reason is, it’s out of the way, and people will go if the shops

are all pretty much the same, or have the same feeling. Also, if they

provided more security in the parking lot, that would make us feel

more comfortable.

BETTY PORTER

Newport Beach

An airport at El Toro could help share load

I just wonder if the Daily Pilot is really listening to the people

outside of Irvine Mayor Larry Agran’s area down there, where they

have been so outspoken in refusing to have an airport where there’s

already an airport.

Those of us in the northern area of Orange County have a concern

with our own airport right here in the Back Bay as planes fly right

over our houses.

I don’t know why we can’t share the load with El Toro and the

people in South County.

We’re not asking for the huge number of flights that were

mentioned in the story, “Officials scoff at latest El Toro proposal,”

Jan. 5.

BARBARA WALLACE

Newport Beach

Teachers should

earn their dough

Regarding the question of whether merit pay is justified for

teachers, teacher pay should definitely be based on merit rather than

tenure.

NORMAN LAWSON

Newport Beach

Teachers have no control over merit

No teacher pay should be based on merit. James Rogers, the

Newport-Mesa teachers union president, points out the that teachers

work with as many as 35 students per class.

Each of those students brings with him or her a series of

influences and values and issues from outside the educational arena.

Educators have no control over those things, which absolutely

influence academic and testing success or failure.

KAREN HANNERS

Newport Beach

Everyone should be paid by own merit

Regarding teacher merit pay, I think everyone should be paid by

merit.

It doesn’t matter if you are a teacher or a professional athlete.

In the business world, we are paid based on merit. And, I think

teachers should be as well.

COURTNEY RICHARDS

Corona del Mar

Merit pay would

protect students

Teachers’ pay should be based upon merit. There’s too much dead

wood in the profession.

It’s the only way to protect our students against unqualified

teachers.

JAMES ORSTEAD

Newport Beach

Column was enlightening

I just wanted to thank the Daily Pilot for the article by Steve

Smith (“No pushing away, but embracing,” Saturday).

It was refreshing to pick up the newspaper and find something that

was enlightening and lifted the consciousness.

BARBARA MARTIN

Corona del Mar