MAILBAG - Aug. 16, 2006

Sorry to say it, but we told you so

Yes, it’s the end for El Morro. After 30 years of summertime memories, our family mourned its death last March. So much more was destroyed than just 300 trailers.

But let’s look at the upside now. In trade for the demolition of an entire community, we get 60 dirt campsites and 200 parking spaces. During the residents’ court battle, the state was offered $50 million in bond money. The El Morro footprint occupied 1% of the Crystal Cove State Park purchase of 1979. The residents proposed building campsites on the other 99% of the park area which was not occupied by the trailers, thereby keeping intact the $1 million yearly rental income to the state. The parking was already there, along with public access. The public was continually assured by Roy Stearns and other state parks officials that this project was “fully funded.”

But, alas, they had to cut the lifeguard headquarters, interpretive center, additional restrooms and creek restoration from the project. Residents of California, you got snowed.

We told you so, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

CAMILLE HOWARTH

Newport Beach

SUV drivers are irresponsible bullies

Joseph N. Bell spoke for me in his remarks about sport-utility vehicles and their drivers (“800-pound automobile,” The Bell Curve, Aug. 3). He neglected to say that so many of these drivers are just plain bullies. And often I see these tanks carrying one occupant. So a 110-pound housewife drives her 2-ton tank to the store to buy a few groceries. My environmentalist son accurately describes these cars as SIVs, meaning socially irresponsible vehicles.

DAVID H. WALLACE

Newport Beach

Don’t downplay the value of KOCE-TV

If Steve Smith is a journalist, he must know one should have data to support a statement that a “tiny minority” want a continuing educational, public broadcasting station for our community, like KOCE-TV (“A lot of hot air on global warming,” On the Town, Aug. 5). I, and many others, have donated many hundreds and thousands of dollars to keep KOCE on the air.

To sell it to the highest bidder is a breach of trust. Our contributions were made to keep a TV station on the air that contributes to our knowledge, education and to the community. To sell something as limited as a public broadcasting channel is not like selling overstock. It is a commodity that is limited, and the bids should have indicated that the buyer would have to contribute to the community, to education, to the good of a discreet population regardless of race, creed, political or religious ideology. The airwaves are limited. If the cost is $2 million per year, that is a small amount if the aim is an enlightened population.

I don’t know who Smith knows, but everyone I know agrees it is an asset that cannot be valued in dollars. But even if it were, just imagine, Steve Smith, how little it costs our community as compared with what we pay for our war! The Daily Pilot and Smith should be ashamed of publishing an article of such little substance, based upon no factual evidence whatsoever of how much of the community values KOCE.

I.C. BLACK

Newport Beach

Mayor should show more sympathy

First off, let me begin by saying I don’t know either Katrina Foley or Allan Mansoor. But if I ever find myself in need of a helping hand, I think I’ll call Foley first.

Without knowing either of them personally, I perceive there is one very apparent, major difference between the two. Above all else, Foley has a heart and Mansoor has a political agenda.

A young man in Costa Mesa is killed and Foley calls on the family with compassion and offers of assistance; Mansoor comes asking for immigration papers. Foley sees a family in need; Mansoor seizes the tragedy as an opportunity to promote his campaign for reelection.

I was also not surprised to see the hypocrisy of City Council candidate Wendy Leece not far behind. She’s obviously hitched her wagon to Mansoor’s. Of all people, Leece should realize that people sometimes need a helping hand.

Whatever happened to the lesson in “what ye do to the least of men, so ye do to me.” If either Leece or Mansoor met someone named Jesus, the first thing they’d probably ask would be, “May I see your green card?”

At the end of the day, the slaying of this man was a human tragedy calling for sympathy, support and caring — not campaign slogans.

MIKE DUNN

Costa Mesa

City should stop the building free-for-all

Too bad the D’Amatos didn’t want to build on the Peninsula Pointe (“Newport Beach Planning Commission Preview,” Aug. 3). It is a free-for-all down here. Build as high as you want, put as many balconies on and encroach to your heart’s content. Come on down.

The planning commission has no clue as to what is happening down at this end of town. It almost makes me want to tear down my remodeled house (done when they unfortunately did pay attention) and put up a 6,000-square-footer on my 30-by-90 lot.

RHODA FRIEDMAN

Balboa Peninsula Pointe