MAILBAG - April 7, 2006

Newport Beach needs more arts and culture

In my more than 10 years of living in the paradise of Newport Beach, for me there has been only one major missing ingredient: a level of arts and culture comparable to that of our immediate neighbors.

I support the inclusion of an arts and culture element in our city’s general plan update, with wording strong enough to have teeth, such as: “consistent and adequate funding.”

I am not alone in believing that our city is very much in need of more arts and culture. Just refer to the February issue of one of our local magazines, which published a very timely article on this very subject. For example, it is truly sad for a city of our socio-economic status that we have no civic auditorium for the benefit and use of the residents of Newport Beach, as well as its visitors. Arts and culture are good business. Such a facility could hold an audience sizable enough for substantial, revenuegenerating programs, such as: expansion of our library’s Distinguished Speakers Lecture Series, the Newport Beach Film Festival programs, concerts, traveling performing arts groups and display space for the visual fine arts of Newport Beach.

Since we are researching the best site for our new city hall, this is the most opportune time to consider a location with the space to incorporate such an auditorium. Ideally, as in countless other cities, the new structure would be the most natural place for that venue. We should consider the concept of a civic center.

I urge the honorable members of the City Council to pass the arts and culture element, with strong, meaningful wording. This is the year of our centennial. Let’s work together with all of our civic pride, to fill in this one component that has been missing for decades.

A city with the stature of Newport Beach demands the internal substance of arts and culture commensurate with its external beauty. We have an obligation to consider the legacy we leave to our descendants. After all, isn’t that what the general plan is all about?

WENDY BROOKS

Newport Beach

Focus should be on Mexican economy

I agree with Alicia Lopez’s long-term solution of immigration from Mexico (“Facts speak louder than rhetoric,” Sunday). The true key is improving Mexico’s economy. Latino immigrants earn upwards of a half a trillion dollars in wages. They spend more than 90% percent here in the states and send a mere fraction to families back home, yielding a cash flow that, in Latin America alone, is roughly 10 times what America sends annually in official developmental aid. This is part of one reason why I believe that a balanced immigration bill is consistent with conservative values.

LEN BOSE

Mesa del Mar