MAILBAG - Oct. 13, 2006

Disappointing, but not surprising influential pick

What a disappointment to see Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor’s face on the front cover of the DP 103 section. Understandable but still disappointing.

Just as many nefarious characters have been named Time magazine’s person of the year in the past, Mansoor’s selection to lead the DP 103 merely shows that notoriety does not always go hand in hand with wisdom and merit.

I’m looking forward to Mansoor’s elimination from next year’s list.

CHRIS BLANK

Costa Mesa

Illegal immigration is a big issue in Costa Mesa

I strongly disagree with the Pilot’s assertion in its Sunday endorsement editorial that the majority of voters in Costa Mesa care most about more playing fields for youths and adults and the construction of skate parks. Costa Mesans care about their quality of life as a whole, and simply talking positively about what Costa Mesa can be won’t do anything to ensure the protection of our quality of life.

Leaders who stick to what must be done to protect and improve the quality of life will get things done. I agree that training local police to enforce immigration laws may not be the best use of our resources, but you cannot pretend that illegal immigration is not a problem in Costa Mesa. It is not the root cause of all city problems, but it is a very significant problem nonetheless. Gang crime is a major problem. Whole swaths of the Westside are blocked off to through traffic because of gang-related crime. To ignore the demographics of our gang problem is irresponsible and foolhardy.

Of course, not all illegal immigrants are gang members. Most are hard-working, but they are still an acknowledged and proven drain on local and state resources.

Those thousands of people who are afraid to talk to the police are the victims of their own choices.

Illegal immigrants are well aware that they are here illegally, and if they choose to listen to extremist fear-mongers like Coyotl Tezcatlipoca instead of former Police Chief John Hensley and his outreach officers, there is nothing else we can do. No representative of our city government has ever told any illegal immigrant that they would deport them for reporting a crime. Our elected officials haven’t “driven a wedge into the community.” People who live here illegally and their supporters have.

I am tired of hearing about the harm allegedly being done to people who knowingly break the law. God forbid you park an RV on a residential street or fail to wear your seat belt because then you attract the full ire of our city government. Break federal immigration and the myriad other related laws, from wage and hour laws to social security, identity and insurance fraud — no problem.

Quality-of-life issues include crime, traffic, infrastructure, housing, recreation and the arts, among other issues. Because a candidate has a long commitment to youth sports is admirable, but that leaves a lot of other issues on the table.

FBI crime statistics show a marked increase in property crime in Costa Mesa, and our roads are literally crumbling in some neighborhoods.

We need more police, better roads, more affordable housing and vigorous code enforcement to improve our already good quality of life. Burying our collective heads in the sand and bemoaning the externally created “fear, divisiveness and discord” will only harm our beautiful city.

We have much to be proud of in Costa Mesa, and we have achieved amazing things in the 13 years that I have lived here. Regardless of whom you endorse, let this election be about the real issues and opportunities in Costa Mesa, not about the smoke and mirrors of political correctness.

ROB DICKSON

Costa Mesa

Daigle’s efforts deserve vote of support

I am writing to share my experiences with Newport Councilwoman Leslie Daigle.

About a year ago, Daigle was contacted and asked to consider supporting a project involving the updating and upgrading of the Marian Bergeson Aquatics Center located on the campus of Corona del Mar High School. Daigle responded enthusiastically and participated in several meetings, which included representatives of the city of Newport Beach, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, various user groups and other members of the Newport Beach aquatics community.

She promptly educated herself about the need for aquatics facilities in her district and throughout Newport Beach, delving into the project, enthusiastically and constructively.

After determining that this project would effectively serve not only her constituents’ but the entire community’s aquatics needs, she initiated the challenge grant ultimately approved by the Newport Beach City Council this summer to provide matching funds for the project.

This is but one example of Daigle’s prompt and effective response to the needs of her constituents and the community — and is one of many reasons Daigle should be elected to continue her work as a member of the Newport Beach City Council.

Other elected officials can learn from her fine example.

ANGELA KRAUS

Newport Beach

Politics show why there is a Greenlight movement

In spite of the vicious attack on Barbara Venezia and her family, she will get our vote in November. I hope Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle’s hired thugs have finally galvanized the voters to reject her tactics and allow us to elect someone who has the moral character and compassion that Newport Beach residents deserve.

Tom Johnson raised a great point in his Fair Game column last Friday in the Daily Pilot. We wouldn’t be having Measure X or Measure V on the ballot if our representatives first listened to the voters and residents and did what they wanted, not what the development community “thinks” is in our best interest.

The city’s own paid survey of 1,000 residents in 2002 showed exactly what everyone wanted. Low traffic density, no condos like Irvine, a quality of life we can all be proud of and a council that does what the residents want. We got exactly the opposite.

Venezia should keep her resolve and stay in the news as a proactive supporter of the people, and she’ll win the election.

PHIL DRACHMAN

Newport Beach