Commentary: A rebuttal to claims of an improving city

Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer wrote in a Daily Pilot commentary of several ways he is improving the city (“City is gaining on its most serious issues,” May 28). I wish to respond, point by point.

•The mayor would only accomplish creating a “new library” by disrupting residents’ use of the Neighborhood Community Center. I would encourage the mayor and City Council to spend the money on an addition to the existing Dungan Library.

•Allowing higher-priced development throughout the city will displace renters and low-income families, and I see very little attempt to provide affordable housing. The community will continue to express our need for affordable housing.

•Previous news articles in Daily Pilot have detailed the difficulties in recruiting and retaining members of the Costa Mesa Police Department. The mayor’s statements and lawsuit have been a real hindrance to both, and staffing is at dangerous levels. Furthermore, will we ever have enough police to protect our increased population from the apartment and housing expansions?

•The computer system for City Hall seems to be a mundane part of updating a large organization. I would like to hear the mayor talk about how it will expedite services to residents.

•Costa Mesa, along with many other cities, was repaid the redevelopment loans. This is not unique to Costa Mesa. The mayor can make it unique by using the money to pay down the city’s pension liability.

•Until a few months ago, the street paving that was done was planned and approved by past councils.

•Motels, some of which provide housing to our lowest-income residents, are being replaced with luxury apartments. Again, no services are being offered to the displaced occupants and no plans for affordable housing are in the works.

•Changes to the Fire Department are ongoing. I hope the mayor’s desire to cut costs and reduce city employees will not endanger our residents, including the increased population in the new housing.

•The mayor’s solution to concerns about group homes in the city is cloaked in secrecy rather than open meetings and discussion with group home owners and residents.

I see fallacies in the mayor’s claims of improving the city. We must stop his reelection now.

MARGARET MOONEY lives in Costa Mesa.