Mailbag: Firefighters association has same rights to speech, assembly as everyone else

Sept. 21’s Daily Pilot carried letters from Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner Tim Sesler (“Commentary: Firefighters association should not campaign”), an appointee of the City Council, and Sen. John Moorlach (“Commentary: Public employee union donations pose a conflict”), a known ally of the current City Council majority. Both of these gentlemen are advocates of the Steve Mensinger-Allan Mansoor-Lee Ramos slate of candidates in the upcoming election. Both of these letter-writers find fault with the fact that Costa Mesa firefighters have a stake in that upcoming election, which will determine whether Sesler’s and Moorlach’s allies, or their opponents, run the city for the next two to four years.

I don’t suppose that Sesler’s and Moorlach’s political affiliation has the slightest thing to do with their arguments as posed in the Pilot. No, no. They are, of course, free of any taint of bias, perfectly impartial. They probably wear halos, as they advocate cloture of the firefighters’ freedom of speech and association. Their absolute blind impartiality is beyond question.

Clearly, the vested interests of Sesler and Moorlach trump the vested interests of the firefighters, and only the former have any right to speak. The latter, despite the fact that they risk their lives for any of us whose life or health may be in jeopardy, of course have no such rights.

Terrell E. Koken

Costa Mesa

Planning Commissioner’s letter inflames

Wow, Planning Commissioner Tim Sesler (“Commentary: Firefighters association should not campaign,” Sept. 21) tell us how you really feel about our firefighters. No, the real problem isn’t the Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. The real problem is money in politics, period.

However, what really is your issue is that the firefighters’ union, and most unions, typically support liberal candidates. Why? Because those candidates fight for them. You can bet that if the CMFA supported your party, you would be welcoming them with open arms.

You most assuredly wouldn’t care about how much money they make or their pensions — it’s all about the support or lack there of. And when did pension become a four letter word in this country? I’m just fine with the salaries and pensions our first-responders earn. Why? Because they put their lives on the line every day to protect and if necessary rescue us and try to save our property and belongings.

That’s why I have no problem with my tax money going toward our first-responders. They may one day save your bacon, or someone you love. Me? I support the CMFA and the slate of candidates they’re supporting.

Mike Aguilar

Costa Mesa

A Halloween story that lifts the spirits

Several years ago, a raging wildfire tore down Laguna Canyon on Oct. 28. University Hills was evacuated, and we spent the night in my office on campus. The fire destroyed several homes in the canyon, as well as in Laguna.

The next day we were off to Germany for an extended one-month period. I gave our house keys to my assistant and told her if anyone at the university lost their home they were welcome to use ours during our absence.

It turns out that a colleague in the Physics Department did lose his home, and he decided to stay at our place. He was there on Halloween evening when a group of small children came to the door for a treat.

He told them he was so sorry but had completely forgotten about Halloween since he was preoccupied with his tragic loss. He had no treats to offer but did wish them a happy Halloween.

The children left but returned a few minutes later. They had combined all of their treats in one bag and gave it to him and wished him a happy Halloween!

When he told me this a tear came to his eye. Happy Halloween.

Hal Moore

UC Irvine