MAILBAG - Jan. 4, 2008

Environmentalists thankful for Iseman

Thanks to fellow “green guy” Mark Christy for his thoughtful letter in support of Toni Iseman’s environmental efforts.

Many of us working to make an environmental difference, however modest, agree with Mark, and prefer to let our positive actions speak for our efforts.

We’ve only begun in our endeavors to rally our community.

In this New Year let us act more for our environment’s sake speaking only with eloquence to raise the level of discourse, as Iseman has clearly done through her years of public service in our city.

CHIP MCDERMOTT

WALKER REED

CHARLES MICHAEL MURRAY

CHRIS PRELITZ

Middle East must be stabilized for safety

I was interested to read gifted writer Catharine Cooper’s column titled, “Dawning year of opportunity for change,” (Coastline Pilot, Dec. 28). The new year brings time for reflection on the year gone by and bright hope for a great new year ahead.

I look forward to more progress in the essential task of helping to stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan.

After 9/11 and the killing of 3,000 innocent people on American soil by Al Qaeda, its clear to many that the American Congress and the United Nations were justified in authorizing the action we are involved in today, including Hillary Clinton.

I have hope for the new year that President Bush’s legacy will be improved by progress in the Middle East, that, as a result, America will be safer, and that our grandchildren will continue to live in freedom with the right to uphold and criticize government.

ED PETERSEN

Laguna Beach

Building’s appearance unsightly

During our recent weekend visit to Laguna Beach, we were both surprised and disgusted by the appearance of a vacant building that used to be the old Jolly Rogers restaurant.

Certainly, someone who could afford to buy this old building can also afford to keep the façade presentable.

Doesn’t a city as careful of its public image have any protection from this kind of irresponsible property management at its front door?

MR. AND MRS. HARVEY MORRISON

San Francisco

Church lauded for sheltering homeless

Thank you to St. Catherine’s Catholic School for providing its facility as the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter this month for Laguna’s homeless women and men (City Roundup, “Cold weather shelter opens at St. Catherine’s,” Dec. 21).

It will not only warm hands and feet, but hearts also.

NIKO THERIS

Laguna Beach