MAILBAG - May 10, 2006

No justification for Fairview Park bridge

Last Wednesday’s “Community Commentary” by Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Linda Dixon is a gallant attempt to justify the “badly needed” pedestrian bridge over Placentia Avenue, a project costing more than $560,000 and approved 10 years ago in the plan for Fairview Park. This means Costa Mesa has had 10 years to rethink a huge waste of taxpayer money on an industrial quality ironwork that now mars the view across our beautiful rolling hills in the only open space in the city.

Residents would certainly benefit from pedestrian bridges if located where needed, such as anywhere to the south of Estancia High School, where hundreds of people cross Placentia every day. Foot traffic on the bridge side of Estancia is barely a trickle, and no one is going to walk a hundred yards downhill to cross a bridge and then back uphill just to avoid the crosswalk. No matter. The bridge idea was sold on the basis of serving 25,000 persons per year shuttling between the east and west sides of Fairview Park. But there are parking lots on both sides of the park and not much incentive to leave your car behind and walk to the other side.

But let’s suppose there are these thousands who respond to the call of “build a bridge and they will come”? If they would be willing to pay one dollar per trip, it would still take more than 22 years to pay for it ? not counting maintenance costs, of course. Unfortunately, they won’t pay a dime, so we are stuck with it. Surely, this city had more urgent needs on its budget. Maybe a simple test ? like “How many people will benefit and at what cost per person?” ? is needed to be applied in the decision-making process.

I hope I’ll be proved wrong and the bridge will become the most popular attraction in Costa Mesa’s history. There is some evidence to that ? I saw three people cross it just last week.

DAVID C. WENSLEY

Mesa Verde

Some do care about illegal immigrants being here

When Steve Smith wrote that “we” don’t care if illegal immigrants overcrowd our schools and hospitals, he wasn’t speaking for me (“Juvenile, divisive and just plain wrong,” Saturday). I care.

Average illegal immigrants each consume $2,700 more per year in government services than they pay in, and I am tired of paying for it. Here in Costa Mesa, we pay a bigger price with illegal immigrants overcrowding many of our schools and our streets flooded with uninsured and unlicensed motorists. The Westside is filled with rundown apartments loaded with illegal immigrants. This hurts property values and quality of life in Costa Mesa.

Our city deserves better, and thankfully the likes of Mayor Allan Mansoor and City Councilman Eric Bever have the guts to stand up and say enough is enough.

MARK GRIFFIN

Costa Mesa

What does the slogan mean in Spanish?

Question: What are the exact words of the proposed translation of “Costa Mesa, a great place to shop” ( Slogan’s translation is business unity,” Friday)?

Translation is tricky, and one must have the right nuances and the proper tone of voice as well as the appropriate synonyms.

To know the effect on the intended readers, one must consider the exact words of the translation.

DARIELA WILSON

Newport Beach

English should be spoken in Costa Mesa

Spanish is a fine language. During a sojourn in Spain years ago, I learned to speak it fairly fluently. I am comfortable with people who speak Spanish.

But I want my city to remain an English-speaking city. No one wants to feel like an alien in his own country.

The United States has always had immigration, but it is not a bilingual nation. Foreign words and cultures incorporated into our own are like salt in soup: a little vastly improves the dish, but too much makes it impossible to swallow. Over the years, immigrants have enriched our own language and culture, but to thrust Spanish into a position of equality with English, as bilingual signage does, makes me feel like a stranger in my own land. I imagine those Americans who understand only English must feel that way even more.

Costa Mesa has a generous mixture of Mexican language and culture, which makes it an interesting and exciting city. Immigrants from Asia and other places also give Costa Mesa a cosmopolitan air. Yet it is an American city, and I think most of us want it to remain so.

It is not xenophobia to want to feel at home when one is at home.

ELEANOR M. EGAN

Costa Mesa

UCI standout student is a model citizen

I have enjoyed a few articles published by the Daily Pilot in the past several weeks on an outstanding young UC Irvine scholar, Vivek Mehta.

His resume at this young age is impeccable, both in his scholastic career and more so in the sports and volunteer work he has performed. He is a true example of “service above self.” The achievement of the Donald Strauss scholarship is a reflection by our society to bestow the well-deserved award to him.

All these achievements at this young age show the bright future career destined for him.

We wish him good luck.

I commend Joseph N. Bell for bringing to the public notice Mehta’s achievements so that many a parent reading the article will bring it to the attention of their children to stimulate them to be good citizens of our nation.

RAJ DESAI

Newport Beach

dpt.03-bridge-BPhotoInfoFV1QPKO720060510iuhxthncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Workers use bulldozers to remove excess dirt from around the base of the footbridge over Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa around the time it was built in February. Thr bridge connects the east and west sides of Fairview Park.