Mailbag - Sept. 14, 2006

Teacher wonders if she is welcome

I’d like to respond to the Sept. 6 letter by William B. Anderson. I, too, am a proud Costa Mesan. I grew up here: I marched in the Fish Fry parade as a child and had summer jobs at South Coast Plaza during college. Like Anderson, I am happy to raise my two children in my hometown.

But Anderson’s letter sends some conflicting messages. He suggests that we can improve our city by “clean[ing] out the high-density, low-rent slums,” making Costa Mesa more like Newport Beach or Irvine. I live in an apartment that I think Anderson would consider both high-density and low-rent; I am apparently not the sort of person Costa Mesans want in their town, as I cannot afford to spend more than a half a million dollars on a home.

Ah, but it’s not that simple. Anderson touts Vanguard University as one of the glories of our city, and well he might. This small liberal arts school has grown in size and reputation in recent years; Vanguard alumni work in our neighborhoods and teach in our schools. I know, because I am a professor at Vanguard University and have been for 12 years.

This is the conundrum Anderson and others like him present: They want quality city services, excellent schools, fine universities and extravagant shopping malls, yet they don’t think that there should be any housing in Costa Mesa for people who drive street-sweepers, teach children or young adults, or fold sweaters for a living. Face it, not everyone can afford the luxury of home ownership in Newport-Mesa. My husband and I have chosen to rent in Costa Mesa rather than buy in the desert; we want to live here — where our jobs, church, schools, and friends are — not on the freeway.

Do my fellow Costa Mesans regard me as a drain on their property values, or as an asset to the community? Ought I and my family be run out of town, or welcomed as neighbors?

KELLY C. WALTER CARNEY

Costa Mesa

When will Leece’s endorsement appear?

Sunday’s Community Commentary by Dave Snowden (“Put our city back on track”) is a very thinly disguised campaign advertisement. Publishing such an article by a former city official, whose main purpose is to endorse Bruce Garlich and Mike Scheafer, would seem to fall under the “equal time” mandate.

I have, to date, seen no endorsement of Wendy Leece or any other person running for City Council.

I will expect to see such an article, published on a Sunday, in the near future.

Additionally, what editor is responsible for reviewing Steve Smith’s dribble prior to it being published? He and she is failing miserably at that job. I find it hard to believe that Smith’s boss is actually reading his stuff prior to sending it to press. Disgraceful to say the least and brings nothing but disdain for the Daily Pilot’s content and credibility.

JOHN STRATTON

Costa Mesa

Lack of smearing is a refreshing change

What a pleasure to read former Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave Snowden’s commentary. That he endorses the Return to Reason candidates is immaterial compared with the fact that he didn’t smear or spread mud on the candidates he opposes. Snowden merely stated why he approves of his choices. How refreshing!

ALAN REMINGTON

Costa Mesa

Mayor is not the bravest of Americans

As a resident of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar and Costa Mesa for almost 50 years, will someone please tell me why Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor should be looked at as, as one letter-writer called him, “the bravest and most honest American we have to look up to at the moment”? I am not sure what to make of that statement, especially coming from a nonresident of Costa Mesa. Personally, I think Jose Garibay was one of the bravest Americans from Costa Mesa, and there are many more Costa Mesans who display honesty every day at the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen.

The current “leaders” of our city are embarrassing. We do need a change come November. Count on it.

RALPH ROLLINS

Costa Mesa

Costs alone make Measure X folly

Thanks to the Daily Pilot for the excellent rundown Saturday on potential costs should the voters of Newport Beach be uninformed and foolish enough to vote in the madness that is Measure X.

I especially liked Greenlight spokesman Phil Arst’s observation that the possible costs weren’t a concern when the measure was drafted. “We didn’t feel they would be large enough to worry about,” he said.

What can these people possibly be thinking? That’s right, I forgot. They aren’t thinking.

JANE LOWRY

Newport Beach