MAILBAG - Nov. 6, 2006

Colorful photo tells the story

We’ve been customers of the Times and the Daily Pilot for 40 years and I have to tell you folks that your Oct. 24 Page A2 feature, “On Campus,” is the best piece of artwork — full color — and for all these kids and what they’re doing and getting interested in eating properly, that’s just a terrific piece of work for everybody, and everyone should be congratulated. Thanks again for being a great local newspaper.

GORDON PATE

Costa Mesa

Letter writer seems to have only bad luck

I can’t say how sorry I am for Christian Eric (“Letter to the editor,” Oct. 29). If it wasn’t for bad luck, it would seem this poor fellow wouldn’t have any luck. His letter outlines a horror story of what he observes daily. Because he’s been “under siege,” he says he’s forced to put up with vandalism, trash, uncivil acts, graffiti, public drunkenness, illegal fireworks, drug sales, overly loud late parties, stabbings, shootings and men with concealed weapons. He’s even witnessed three deaths outside his own front door. Plus, he must endure “foul, acrid odors from large industrial plants.” Wow! It would seem Eric lives in the geographic center of the known universe of all criminal activity. Stabbings? Shootings? Witnessing three deaths? Is it just me, or shouldn’t Eric be calling the police when these things happen? Did I miss the news stories in the Pilot reporting all of these stabbings and shootings and deaths in Eric’s front yard?

Eric states he’s lived in Costa Mesa for 57 years, so he’s got much more experience than I. I’ve only worked within a three-wood of the Cla-Val plant, our largest “industrialist,” on a daily basis for 13 years. During that time I’ve dined and shopped and visited the dentist and had my car repaired in this very same area. I’ve yet to witness any foul or acrid odors or pollution of any kind. I’ve yet to be robbed, pillaged or plundered. I haven’t seen a single murder, nor any shootings or stabbings. No concealed weapons or drug deals or fireworks, either. I have seen an occasional drunk wandering around on both the Eastside and Westside (and in Newport Beach, for that matter), and some graffiti, albeit less so than in the past. Am I just lucky or is Eric inordinately unlucky?

I sure hope our local Realtors choose not to show Eric’s letter to prospective home buyers. They might get the idea that a major part of Costa Mesa is a terrible, filthy, dangerous, polluted, unseemly, foul and uncivil place to live and work. Count me among those who wish to respectfully take issue with both Eric’s observations and his recommended solutions.

CHUCK CASSITY

Costa Mesa

Placentia bridge gets almost monthly use

I take issue with Mark Griffin’s assessment of the bridge across Placentia Boulevard (Mailbag,” Thursday). I travel past the bridge frequently and actually saw someone using it about two months ago.

DENNIS JOHNSON

Costa Mesa