Letters to the Editor: Recalling Scott Peotter before regularly scheduled election is wasteful

A recent letter to the editor complains that opposition to a Councilman Scott Peotter recall is based solely on the cost of doing so (“Recall cost argument is a red herring,” (Aug. 30). I understand this recall election would cost Newport Beach residents several hundred thousand dollars. The cost is certainly a valid concern, when Peotter is up for reelection next year. If he is not liked, he can be voted out at that time, without this additional cost.

I am not involved, in any way, in a Peotter effort on either side. Indeed, my political viewpoints are generally divergent from those of Peotter. However, Councilman Peotter has professionally and appropriately responded to community issues when I have contacted the council. Others did not provide the same courtesy.

I am troubled by the contentious conduct and rhetoric in this local political effort to recall Peotter. A couple of evenings ago, a young man, who said he was 18, came to my door. I answered, expecting a donation request for Newport Harbor High or something similar.

Instead, he asked me to sign the Peotter recall petition. I asked him why he was involved with this, as I admire young people who involve themselves in political efforts, even if I disagree. He responded that Peotter will worsen the parking problems on Lido Isle and made other untrue allegations. When I quizzed him, and said I did not believe those statements to be true, he said that he and his friends were getting $2 for every signature they collected. I did not sign.

Randy Curry

Lido Isle

Stewardship of public money is not a priority

Re. “Recall cost argument is a red herring,” (Aug. 30): Letter writer John Stillman’s comments on Councilman Marshall “Duffy” Duffield’s questionable Peotter recall costs and the city of Newport Beach’s initial refusal to accept state gas tax money hit the nail on the head about our City Council’s hypocrisy and it not really caring about our finances. We should remember this at election time.

Kent Moore

Corona del Mar

Alleged act of animal cruelty saddens

Re. “A dog with 300 tumors wandered into Hoag Hospital’s chapel. Now her owner faces animal cruelty charges,” (Aug. 30): I cannot get this story out of my head or heart. That poor dog was suffering, yet someone thought that taking it to a hospital that treats humans would be a good idea?

I am beyond saddened because she could have relinquished this poor soul to a rescue organization that would do whatever it could for her, but they certainly would not do what she allegedly did.

Rest in peace, Pasha, you deserved a better life.

Jeannie Richardson

Laguna Beach

Tutoring will bolster CSU policy

Re. “The Whiteboard Jungle: The buck should stop at public schools,” (Aug. 25): As I understand the new California State University policy, it provides academic support, such as tutoring and workshop experiences, to enable a more individualized sort of instructional scaffolding, thereby allowing students to stay on track toward a degree without losing time and money spent in the demoralizing setting of a remedial class.

Such approaches are part of what keeps the dropout rate at Ivy League colleges so low. Support for students — counseling, guidance and readily accessed tutoring — is essential for improved student outcomes, not the segregationist policies that have stained the past.

Ben Miles

Huntington Beach

How to get published: Email us at dailypilot@latimes.com. All correspondence must include full name, hometown and phone number (for verification purposes). The Pilot reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity and length.