How about a better looking city hall...

How about a better looking city hall for all that money?

I was raised in Newport Beach and ran a business for many years in

the Rhine Channel area. I can’t believe that the city fathers or the

residents of such a fine city with its roots deep in maritime history

would accept a building design that so closely resembles a prison or

an industrial warehouse.

From the budget estimates, I would say that it costs a lot of

money to look that ugly.

Wouldn’t we all be happier with a city hall that better reflects

our boating heritage and is pleasing to the eye as well?

PATRICK AYRES

Costa Mesa

Decisions about civic center need to be based on facts

The arguments made by Phil Arst and Rick Taylor in the Community

Commentary on Sept. 25 for the right to vote on the proposed civic

center overlook an important point.

I’d estimate that fewer than 20% of Newport Beach’s population

have ever had occasion to do business or attend a meeting at City

Hall. Thus many would vote on unsupported statements by others that a

new city hall is not required. Such a vote would elude reality.

My experience in trying to find a parking space, waiting in an

inadequate lobby for a meeting with a city official, or crowding into

the building permit area (I’m not a developer, I was doing a minor

upgrade on my home) clearly indicates that more building and parking

spaces are sorely needed.

A vote by people who have had no experience at City Hall could

lead to a false conclusion and no solution to the problems stated

above.

JOHN WALTER KRAUS

Newport Beach

Give On the Town columnist a righteousness badge

Steve Smith is beginning to sound like a corporal in the

conservation police.

First, chastising residents and business owners for hosing off the

sidewalk. Now, coming down on those who choose to drive their cars to

the market rather than walking or riding bikes.

What’s next? Yelling at kids for riding motorized scooters rather

than using skateboards?

Though I sympathize with his desire to remind readers of the need

to conserve water and gas (as if we don’t already know this), there’s

a way to make the point without the tone of righteous indignation.

In a community where far more heinous crimes are being perpetrated

daily, pointing the finger at individuals for their minor misuse of

water or gas will not be taken too seriously by readers.

STEVEN HENDLIN

Corona del Mar