COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

After reading the two editorials from Sept. 21, it is clear whom the Pilot is supporting and outright opposing during this election cycle.

They titled the first editorial, “Dixon, Foley the right team for park issue.” Then they acknowledged that all five council members opposed the blanket plan for passive parks, and rightly so. The blanket designation was certainly not needed and seems to have come from concerns expressed at just two or three parks. I appreciate the work done by our Parks and Recreation Commission and staff, but the recommendation went way beyond what was needed. That does not mean, however, that there are not concerns at some locations.

Paularino Park is a very small neighborhood pocket park with a small path that wanders through it. Many people from that neighborhood expressed concern to me that there were large organized adult teams utilizing this area and that there were problems with trash and urination. The families that lived in that neighborhood wanted to be able to use that park with their kids and be able to walk through it as that is the intended purpose of the path. Foley and Dixon were originally opposed to doing anything at all. They offered absolutely no solution to the problems and concerns the residents had.

The solution was simple. The city planted a few trees and put in a couple of decorative boulders. That has done far more than any sign or ordinance could ever do. The park has been an enjoyable place for parents and kids regardless of race ever since, and the citizens are supportive of the action taken and the results delivered.

The Pilot editorial continues to play the race card though. But where was the Pilot when the city removed basketball hoops at Tanager Park a long time ago due to neighbors’ concerns about their quality of life? What about golf not being allowed at city parks? What about the residents who live near Brentwood Park asking the council to limit the park to certain uses? There are many large parks that can handle group use, but there are a handful that we need to listen to the neighbors concerns and cannot take a do nothing approach. What is the Pilot, Dixon, Foley solution to these things? Do nothing.

The second editorial was titled: “Council should cool ICE concerns.” It is interesting that the Pilot would want us to “cool” something that has been highly effective and actually downplays its effectiveness and how we were able to get such a program for Costa Mesa in the first place.

The Pilot mentioned that we “had an agenda to pursue, and nothing was going to stop them.” Yes, we did have an agenda. It was the public’s safety and improving Costa Mesa. And nothing did stop us because the public saw a problem and wanted a solution to the crime that was impacting their quality of life. Once again, the Pilot, Foley and Dixon offered no solution other than to do nothing.

The Pilot even goes so far as to say, “In the end of the day, however, Bever and Mansoor didn’t prevail.” Yes, we did, Daily Pilot. We voted to go forward with the program; I won reelection, and with Wendy Leece, we kept the pro-enforcement majority and the vote to go forward was still in place. Then Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) stepped in and said they would put an agent in our jail at no additional cost to local citizen taxpayers.

Since the inception of the program, almost 800 illegal-immigrant criminals have been removed from Costa Mesa and flagged for deportation (through July 2008). The Pilot downplays the effectiveness by saying that “210 criminals have been sent packing to their country of origin” but does not explain how they got their numbers. Among those flagged for deportation are one for murder; 20 for sex crimes and cruelty to children; 68 for robbery, burglary and theft; 124 for dangerous weapons, assault/battery and drugs; 196 for DUI and other vehicle code violations; and 123 who had warrants out for their arrest.

I call that a success, but here is what Katrina Foley had to say in her own words, according to a Dec. 7, 2007, article in the Orange County Register, “But I think many of our violent crimes are by citizens.”

And according to the Jan. 3, 2007, Daily Pilot, Foley said, “Considering the number of people with detainers placed on them made up about 10% of the bookings in December, the city should focus law enforcement on the other 90% of people committing crimes who are in the country legally.”

Sticking our head in the sand is not an option.

The voters expect us to listen to their concerns and take action to improve our quality of life.

ALLAN MANSOOR is a councilman in Costa Mesa.