Mailbag - Aug. 27, 2006

Take a few radar guns away

I read with interest (and a little amusement) about the police meeting with residents regarding the increase of gang activity in Costa Mesa. Of particular interest was the police saying that they are understaffed but that they are really interested in responding to the needs of the residents.

Well, I have a way that the police can prove they really care about public safety and increase their manpower into crime fighting. How about taking a significant number of motorcycle officers who sit for hours with their radar guns trying to catch speeders near Fairview Park and other locations, and redeploying them to aid in investigative and crime prevention work?

Of course, this will never happen because, even though it is claimed that traffic enforcement is for “public safety,” we all know that the primary reason is to add dollars to the city’s coffers. If residents and law enforcement are serious in attacking, preventing and investigating crime, then let’s use people where they’re needed most.

JIM HALL

Costa Mesa

Smith column missed station’s popularity

As someone who was asked to write regular political columns for the Daily Pilot some years ago, I appreciate the value of a healthy discussion, even if it is of an opposing viewpoint.

Steve Smith’s Aug. 5 column (“A lot of hot air on global warming”), however, was alarming to read.

KOCE-TV is among the most watched PBS stations in the nation. KOCE prides itself on the growing viewership from Orange County and surrounding counties. An estimated 5.8 million people watch KOCE monthly for its mix of local and national programs according to a PUBTV online analysis of Nielsen data.

Orange County is a vibrant and culturally rich community. It’s no surprise that 5.8 million people seek a station that provides programs accordingly.

JO ELLEN ALLEN

Newport Beach

Watch out for party clubhouse dominance

S.J. Cahn’s column on July 27 (“Our politicos’ silence deafens at concert hall”) questioning the value of GOP endorsements in local nonpartisan races was one of the most provocative I’ve seen. Should voters be concerned about this practice, you ask?

Voters should be outraged that because of this practice, their choices in candidates will be limited to mouthpieces for whomever controls the Republican Central Committee clubhouse. Voters should be outraged that with this practice, the candidate is in danger of subjugating the best interest of his city in favor of the best interests of the clubhouse. Voters should be outraged at the fact that this practice is condemned by the California State Republican Party structure.

Most voting Republicans do not feel exactly the same way about each and every issue presented to them. This gives a platform for an exchange of ideas. But the clubhouse has definite positions on current issues and does not entertain divergence from its chosen path. So, most often, when a candidate seeks endorsement by the clubhouse, he either alters his position to fit theirs or forfeits the endorsement. Would the clubhouse endorse someone who opposed their positions? Does the clubhouse care about what happens to the city of Newport Beach?

No. They care about creating absolute power for the clubhouse.

There is nothing more damaging to freedom of ideas than to have voters presented with candidates whose personal beliefs have been obliterated in the pursuit of getting elected.

Because of the vast amounts of money spent in even minor elections these days, we have far too few viable candidates in most legislative races. But at least on the local level, we used to have people who kept the needs of their cities foremost, not the needs of a county clubhouse.

We need elected officials who will keep the bests interest of their local residents first. We need elected officials who can and will think for themselves. We do not need legislative clones.

I write this as a lifelong Republican.

MARIANNE ZIPPI

Newport Beach

Mayor’s response showed his frustration

In my opinion Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor’s lack of what the Daily Pilot readers perceive as inefficient emotions for the homicide victim 23-year-old Israel Maciel is misinterpreted because the question the interviewer from the Daily Pilot asked of the Costa Mesa community leaders was “What’s your reaction to the shooting?” I feel Mansoor’s emotions were from his frustration of wanting Costa Mesa residents and the community safe from these senseless incidents. This is exactly why Mansoor wants Costa Mesa Police officers trained and educated to handle and perhaps prevent these most unfortunate events from happening again.

All Costa Mesans are at risk when we, society, do nothing.

I hope the Daily Pilot readers will see both sides to this serious issue. It can only continue to grow, and more of these horrible events will continue to happen here in Costa Mesa.

I would like to paraphrase Councilwoman Katrina Foley: She said this type of crime is what police should focus on. She is so right. Our Costa Mesa police must be trained and educated to enforce the laws to protect the innocent.

VICTORIA PHELPS

Costa Mesa

Soccer moms know about special interests

After reading Barbara Venezia’s commentary of Aug. 10 (“Focus on issues, not money”), I was left somewhat confused and scratching my head. She seemed to be advancing the same tired arguments that people donating to politicians are somehow evil special interests.

I am a special interest. I am a lacrosse mom, same thing as a soccer mom, except the ball is smaller, you get to use your hands and wield a stick. Let me explain.

About two years ago, my 13-year-old daughter began playing lacrosse. It’s a sport that is catching on in our area. While Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor high schools now offer lacrosse as a CIF sport, no ongoing recreational league for girls existed in Newport. The situation was no different for most of Orange County.

At the same time, it is increasingly difficult to find recreation league sport opportunities for teenagers throughout Orange County, especially girls. Team sports for high schoolers has become so specialized that the nonathlete has very limited opportunities.

With no sanctioned ongoing lacrosse league on the horizon in Orange County for teenage girls, we, the lacrosse moms, decided to start one. I am proud to announce that Sacagawea Girls Lacrosse, the new recreational league division of the Orange County Lacrosse Assn., was formed. Now girls of all athletic abilities have the opportunity to learn about teamwork, competition and the camaraderie of sports.

Once Sacagawea was formed, our next challenge was finding a field for practices and games. With the popularity of youth sports in our community, this was no easy task.

I put on my best special interest voice and called Newport Beach City Council members Leslie Daigle and Keith Curry. Magically the city staff started cooperating. Memos began flying. Options became available.

Thank you, council members Daigle and Curry, for representing your special-interest constituents. Thank you for helping girls’ sports and giving many teens their first chance to say: “I’m on a team. I can play a sport!”

LAMBERT FORMAN

Newport Coast