Mailbag:

I have never done this before, but I cannot sit idly by after reading the Daily Pilot article with the headline “O.C. Fairgrounds sale still on ” (Jan. 5).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, I beg to differ with you. You have no understanding of what this means to those of us living in Costa Mesa. There is no skin off your back, nose (whatever), and it is just a cowardly move on your part.

I moved here to Costa Mesa when I was 5 years old, and I will be 52 in February. I have seen my dad enter his oil paintings in the Orange County Fair contests, my brother’s band playing on the Heritage stage and my oldest daughter win “Most Beautiful Baby” in the baby contest at the O.C. Fair.

Although this does not relate to the fairgrounds, I have been involved in the Fish Fry, my dad built the floats we rode on in the parades and played our instruments as the P.O.P. Brass, and my youngest daughter won third place in the baby contest. It’s all about family, memories, etc., in Costa Mesa.

I recently went to the Sugar Plum Craft Festival, which is at the fairgrounds, with my daughter and my 2 1/2 -year-old granddaughter. She started to get fidgety so I told my daughter I would take her outside and walk around, and lo and behold, right outside the door was the Centennial Farm (free admission). It was wonderful being with my first grandchild, listening to her get excited about the animals and imitating the sounds.

Several weeks after that, I asked my granddaughter what she wanted to do, and she looked at me and said, “Let’s go to the barn.” She remembered how we walked through the red barn and saw the big fat pigs and the horses, etc.

So you see, Schwarzenegger, you don’t have a clue what this means to us. You don’t live in Costa Mesa; it doesn’t affect you, your family, your children. Shame on you for putting the Almighty Dollar before what is really important: doing things together as a family, making memories. I know what you’re thinking: You still can do all those things, just not in Costa Mesa. But that’s just it — I live in Costa Mesa.

I have seen our bowling alley (Kona Lanes) disappear, the ice rink, businesses and watched houses, condos, car lots go up. There are other avenues that can be taken to take care of the state’s deficit but, like I said, it’s no skin off your back.

My only solace in all this is I can stand with my head held high knowing I did not vote for you, that I didn’t fall for the “another actor for governor” who claims to be a Republican thinking you would hold a candle to President Ronald Reagan (not even close).

If the sale cannot be stopped, maybe you can do little ole me who lives in Costa Mesa one little ole favor — don’t call yourself a Republican, Gov. Schwarzenegger. Again, shame on you for making such a cowardly decision, shame on you.

Bonnie Duran

Costa Mesa