Crystal Cove must not be developed I...

Crystal Cove must

not be developed

I was appalled to read that state Sen. John Campbell is working on

a proposal to take management of the entire Crystal Cove State Park

out of the state’s hands and put it under the auspices of a nonprofit

group. Such a move would certainly open the door for private real

estate development of the park, which is designated for park and

recreation purposes.

I voiced my concerns to the senator by phone during his visit to

the Crystal Cove State Park historic district on Sunday. At that

time, he assured me that he will amend his proposal to include only

the historic district and El Morro area for management by a nonprofit

organization.

I advised him that although his proposal might have merit, it must

first go out for public bid, unless he intends to change the law. I

further indicated that in no way should it interfere with the

eviction of the current El Morro residents or state parks’ plan for

the area. Furthermore, it should not in any way adversely impact the

state Parks and Recreation Department’s acquisition of approximately

$2 million to complete the first phase of the renovation of the

historic district’s 46 cottages.

JOAN IRVINE SMITH

San Juan Capistrano

Keep keeping tabs

on parks department

I have been keenly watching the events surrounding Crystal Cove

and El Morro Village. But I must say, when was it determined that

Joan Irvine Smith is queen of the coast?

What has she done but be born rich and spend the money a

forefather earned? I really couldn’t care less what Smith thinks or

believes.

Why is it that Smith is so high and mighty regarding one parcel

that her family exchanged for lucrative tax redemption and the

ability to put thousands upon thousands of homes in the same area.

It is time for the press to concern itself with the issues.

The real concerns are that the state parks department has a nearly

$1-billion backlog, and now, after nearly five years of construction,

it has a 20% overrun with completion not finished for less than half

of the cottages in the cove. During the rains, I witnessed the

uncovered cottages being exposed to the elements.

I was at one of their finest parks just 40 miles away and it was

only half full -- during spring break for many children. Something

smells in the state parks and not just the mold allowed to build up

this winter.

This is a travesty that must not be allowed to continue. I am no

longer going to continue to financially back state entities that do

not care where the money comes from, nor how it is spent. Rather,

their only care is that they continue to have more and more power

over my tax money.

At this point, we are placing such a huge financial burden on our

children and grandchildren that they will never even be close to

having the lives we take for granted.

Keep up the good work, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore. We cannot let the

fools financially filibuster the taxpayers.

MICHAEL L. KAYLOR

Newport Beach

It’s about time to

raise loan limits

In regard to the Daily Pilot story “City may raise roof on

first-time home loans,” of course the city should raise the limits.

But the old adage about too little to late is going to apply to this

program again. I am the owner of a real estate firm in Costa Mesa. My

firm is the one that handled the only sale so far this year to a

first-time buyer.

We have many other buyers who have tried to get in on this program

for the last several years. The problem currently is that the income

guidelines are too restrictive and the maximum purchase price is too

low. The proposed subsidy increase is fantastic, but wake up, City

Council. Show me where a $608,000 single-family home is in Costa

Mesa, and I will have 25 buyers waiting in line to buy that home.

It simply does not exist in today’s market. The concept is great

for townhome buyers, but let us not forget those buyers for

single-family homes. Please raise the loan limits, widen the income

guidelines and increase the purchase price to $650,000.

The council has known my sentiments for many years. It should be

the leader in city ideas and programs and stop following the other

cities.

LARRY WEICHMAN

Costa Mesa

City made a mistake

in denying permit

This is in regard to the Daily Pilot’s front-page story

“Elderly-care home is denied a permit.” Recently, I e-mailed a

Mother’s Day greeting and another thank-you note for all the

excellent care my sister received for 10 months at a Fountain Valley

assisted-living home run by Jacqui DuPont-Baum, the operator who

tried to open the home in Costa Mesa.

Exactly one year ago, we were faced with finding a caring,

assisted-living facility nearby for my sister, who had survived a

major stroke.

We were fortunate to find DuPont-Baum, a bright, rather young,

gerontologist who owned a number of assisted-living homes in Irvine

and Fountain Valley. Please notice, I say homes, not facilities.

These homes are in regular neighborhoods -- no signs or anything --

staffed by loyal, attentive caregivers who provide as close to a

family environment as possible.

Although now retired, I spent the last 10 years of my writing

career as a seniors’ housing marketing specialist -- a designation

from the National Assn. of Home Builders. I know what to look for in

nursing homes and residential facilities for the elderly.

Last year, I visited at least a dozen places locally and became

very discouraged. The nicer homes had no vacancies. Thank God we

learned of an opening in DuPont-Baum’s Fountain Valley home. And

thank God the neighbors and city councils of Fountain Valley and

Irvine have been open to allowing such homes away from homes for

people who need more care than their loved ones can give them.

It is not easy to place a loved one in a nursing home. Just wait

until those people who opposed the application for a permit are

confronted with such a problem.

Ageism, NIMBYism or whatever shouldn’t prohibit DuPont-Baum from

developing her plans for a much-needed assisted-living project in

Costa Mesa.

DOROTHY JEAN

Costa Mesa