Museums would fit perfectly in this town...

Museums would fit perfectly in this town

We read Wendy Leece’s comments concerning Niketown at Triangle

Square with interest (“Parents talk back,” Tuesday). We visit St.

Louis frequently to see our grandchildren. When we ask our older

grandson what he would like to do, he always insists on visiting the

City Museum and The Magic House, St. Louis’ Children’s Museum. Both

places are excellent examples of wonderful museums for children of

all ages. It is almost impossible to describe the educational

adventures that children have in these venues. They are always packed

with eager, fun-loving children of all ages.

Can you imagine a 60-year-old woman climbing through a

hollowed-out tree limb 15 feet off the ground, following her grandson

to the tree trunk exit, or crawling through a long underground tunnel

exiting in a cave? The three-story slide is beyond compare.

The Magic House is in an old three-story home, offering children

hands-on adventures in science, math, technology, social studies,

physical education and language arts. The City Museum is in an old

downtown shoe factory, and it offers exploration, an aquarium, arts

and crafts, an architectural museum, train rides and numerous

physical activities.

Before making any decisions on the Niketown building, we suggest

that some City Council members visit these venues. This would be a

good investment in our children.

TERRY and

GALE JURGENSEN

Costa Mesa

Publisher hit the

nail on the head

The publisher of the Daily Pilot answered the remarks of Mayor

Steve Bromberg at the Mayor’s State of Our City dinner (“Mayor gives

state of the Pilot address,” Monday). Tom Johnson did not hit the

issues on the head once, twice, three times. He hit it flush at least

10 times. I’ve been in our town more than 80 years, and I’ve never

read anything in our local papers that hit the nail on the head

better. The mayor should write a new speech, but he has no right to

deliver it. It is far too late.

I say again, thank you to Tom Johnson.

GEORGE GRUPE

Newport Beach

Limits on speaking

at meeting ring ill

At Monday’s Costa Mesa City Council meeting, the decision to limit

public comment to 30 minutes at the beginning of the meeting and the

balance of the public comment at the end of the meeting was a

travesty. The council knows full well that the length of the meetings

is already excessive; many working citizens cannot stay until the end

of the meeting. This choice reflects the council’s preference to

ignore and to demean public opinion. A council that has no interest

in the opinions of the people it purports to represent should be

recalled.

STEPH CAMPBELL

Costa Mesa

Parking solution seems mighty costly

Is it really true, or have I misread, that Newport Beach taxpayers

may be burdened with a bill of $44,000 to $88,000 per vehicle for

parking at, or near, McFadden Square (“Peninsula parking solution

would cost city plenty,” Jan. 26)?

If it becomes, in fact, a possibility, then I’d better trade in my

Volkswagen and acquire a Porsche or Lamborghini. I hardly think it

would be suitable for anything less to park in such a grandiose

structure.

Dream on, Councilman Tod Ridgeway -- as long as it is not your

money, nor mine.

BILL HODGES

Costa Mesa