MAILBAG - Oct. 20, 2006

Costa Mesa has a few too many broken windowsThe “broken windows” theory of crime says when a broken window in a building goes unrepaired, vandals soon break the rest of the windows. That’s because the broken window gives the impression that no one is in charge. Along those lines, graffiti in Costa Mesa along with properties that are run down create the same problems and degrade the image of our city.

Residents of Costa Mesa can do their part to make sure we live in a clean and safe city by notifying appropriate authorities when they see a problem. I encourage everyone to program the 24-hour graffiti hotline, (714) 327-7491, into his or her cellphone. Callers will receive a recorded message, and usually the areas reported are cleaned up within 24 hours.

I reported a recent problem to the City Council and received an immediate call from our mayor, Allan Mansoor, who was very helpful. He collected information and referred me to the Police Department, which sent out a very helpful officer.

Code enforcement in our city is also very responsive and generally does a good job of seeing to it that city codes are properly enforced. Violations can be reported to (714) 754-5623 or logged via the city website at www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us. Title 20 covers the maintenance requirements for property in this city, and generally structures should be free of flaking paint; fences should be in good repair; nonworking vehicles or personal property can’t be stored; walkways should be free of weeds; and asphalt areas should not be deteriorating or have potholes.

I recently inspected some of the locations of violent crimes in this city and found that those properties generally contain one or more violations of Title 20. I do not think it comes as a surprise to anyone that violent crime is more often found in run-down areas. The responsibility of upkeep resides with the property owner and enforcement with the city. Concerned residents should report any and all violations to code enforcement.

To summarize, I believe the responsibility of keeping our city safe and clean is partly the responsibility of residents, who should keep their eyes out and report any graffiti or code violations. My experience has been that our mayor, Police Department and city staffers are dedicated to helping all residents achieve this goal.

MARK LES

Costa Mesa

Restrictions in Measure X go too far for Newport BeachIn the past, I had the honor of serving as mayor of Newport Beach. I care about the Newport Beach community and always will. That is why I feel the need to let residents know that Measure X has gone too far and is cause for real concern.

Newport Beach is one of the most unique communities in the state. Many people have worked hard to achieve the dream of living in this city, and once they arrive, they certainly don’t want to be told what they can and cannot do with their private property. Measure X, riddled with drafting errors, accomplishes just this. It applies development provisions that are meant for major developments to 65% of our residential properties.

As an eight-year councilwoman, I cannot express how important it is to read the analysis by the city attorney in your sample ballot. This measure does not exempt existing single-family residential remodeling within planned community or specific plan districts if it exceeds any of the thresholds set by Measure X.

This measure does nothing to address the real source of our traffic problems. Peak-hour regional traffic driving through Newport Beach and summer beachgoers are counted. How does Measure X eliminate that?

The measure is excessive in restrictions and has gone too far. Please say no to Measure X.

JAN DEBAY

Newport Beach

Firefighters deserve the retirement they getAs a retired Costa Mesa firefighter, I disagree with former Newport Beach Mayor John Heffernan’s criticism (“City’s rising salaries under scrutiny,” Monday) of firefighters who can now retire at 50 years old, providing they have enough years on the job.

I believe that if he checked the national average of firefighter life spans he would find it below the normal population. We had three die before 50 while I was on the job. One died while on duty, the other two before they were old enough to retire. A number of the firefighters I worked with died either before or shortly after their 60th birthday.

In addition to the obvious risks of the job, such as fire, hazardous chemicals, building collapse, falling through or off roofs, exposure to disease on medical aid calls, etc., one factor that seriously affects a firefighter’s health is being awakened numerous times during the night.

In my case, my resting pulse rate is in the low 50s, but when all the lights would come on in the station in the middle of the night and the alarm was blasting, my pulse would jump to 180 beats per minute. You then have the pressure of deciding the quickest way to the emergency, make plans on what you are going to do when you get there, where the hydrant is in relation to the fire, what might be involved when you get there. In some cases you only have a minute or two to figure all of this out. We are very good at doing this, but my point is that this can’t be the best for our health.

For a comparison, I suggest Heffernan set his clock radio for 2 a.m. with the volume turned up. When it goes off, get dressed, run out to the garage, pick up a piece of paper your wife left you with the street address on it with a street you’re not familiar with, look it up in the Thomas Guide and get there as quick as you can. And that’s the easy part!

While you’re gone your wife can reset the alarm with a new address on your front seat. Try this two or more times a night for the next couple of weeks, then multiply it times 30 years and tell me if 50 is too young to retire.

I enjoyed the job, but for the above reasons, I retired at age 53, the earliest I could with 32 years on the job. So far, at age 65, I’m beating the odds.

BOB VAN SICKLE

Costa Mesa