MAILBAG - April 27, 2000

The proposed $110-million general obligation bond issue by the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District must be defeated since it is

patently unfair to homeowners residing in mello-roos districts. The

communities of Newport Coast, Newport Ridge and Bonita Canyon are

impacted by Special Assessment District obligations for infrastructure

improvements and mello-roos obligations for school facilities.

The normal real estate tax bill is based upon 1% of the assessed

valuation. Communities with assessment district and mello-roos district

obligations pay an average of 1.6% of the assessed valuation -- 60% more

than the typical homeowner.

Recently, the communities served by the Capistrano Valley Unified

School District passed a school bond issue, and the mello-roos

communities were specifically excluded from obligations of this bond

issue. I believe that the Capistrano Valley Unified School District acted

appropriately, and they were rewarded with community approval of the bond

issue.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District, despite objections from

community leaders, chose to include mello-roos districts in the proposed

$110-million bond issue. This is unfair and a “no” vote on the bond issue

is required to send a clear message that mello-roos districts should not

be burdened with an additional layer of taxation. It has been estimated

that mello-roos districts contribute sufficient tax revenue for the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District to build a new elementary school

each year. That’s more than enough of a tax obligation.

Based upon fair and equitable dealing, I again urge a “no” vote on the

upcoming school bond issue.

ALFRED R. WILLINGER

Newport Coast

Use asphalt for streets, not park

The idea of paving trails and another parking lot at Fairview is

ludicrous. This is a wilderness park and the only one in the area, so why

should a designer park be made out of this lovely, natural area?

Pave some of the streets in Costa Mesa with your asphalt that are in

desperate need, instead of the park, which should be left as is.

D.F. GALLAGHER

Costa Mesa

Reader likes artificial reef idea

Kudos to Rodolphe Streichenberger for his unselfish devotion of time,

energy and resources to develop a marine habitat off the Balboa Pier in

Newport Beach (“Ocean Commotion,” April 15).

How ingenious of him to use recycled tires and pipes to form the

habitat for mussels and kelp to grow for the benefit of fish and marine

life. His simple, inexpensive, and efficient innovations should be

supported, applauded and copied in other areas to cultivate rich kelp

forests and to help produce a diverse marine food chain.

Talk about a fantastic science project!

SOPHIE MOSHAYEDI

Corona del Mar

Plan B editorial was a joke

Your April 20 editorial, “And the answer is: Plan B,” was a joke. It

was more of your incessant brainwashing to push the anti-airport at El

Toro sentiment.

In my opinion, you insult the intelligence of the readers by your lack

of facts or slanting of the dialogue over the El Toro airport issue.

However, you are being effective in accomplishing your goal -- no

airport at El Toro. You have many past pro-airport “leading spokespeople”

and the Orange County Board of Supervisor vacillating all over the map.

You have people really believing that the Measure F vote was

conclusive, that the county supervisors should dump the El Toro Airport

option and go on spending taxpayer money to build beautiful monuments

surrounding the city of Irvine. And if not enough, then solicit corporate

donations to build out their Millennium Plan.

You suggest that Orange County go for Plan B, succumb to your repeated

barrages of anti-airport bias and continual flurry of “sky is falling”

innuendoes and drop any visions for the need for a first-class airport in

Orange County and remain oblivious to Orange County’s air transportation

requirements in the 21st century.

I believe you are leading Orange County down a path where it will

cease to be a competitor in the emerging global economy.

I’m sure you believe that the folks in Los Angeles and Riverside

counties will welcome you with open arms when 20 million Orange County

passengers congest their highways. After all, your solution suggest that

other counties meet Orange County’s expanding need for air transportation

and accept Orange County’s contribution to their noise, pollution and

safety hazards.

When will Orange County step up to the plate and accept its

responsibilities to meet the infrastructure needs of a modern operating

airport?

VICTOR H. JASHINSKI

Corona del Mar