Mailbag - Dec. 13, 2001

Store should still consider other Newport-Mesa site

I’ve often wondered why Whole Foods chose the basement level of

Triangle Square as its Costa Mesa location (“Whole Foods closing Triangle

Square store,” Dec. 5). My thanks to reporter Lolita Harper for

detailing the deal that brought them there.

With Whole Foods gone, I won’t be visiting Triangle Square any longer.

The parking is terrible, the turns too narrow for large vehicles, and

exits are confusing and poorly designed. I hope Whole Foods selects

another Newport-Mesa location soon. Their prices are a tad high, but the

selection of organic and vegetarian cuisine was a refreshing alternative

to the major grocery chains.

Good luck to the next tenant that tries the basement level.

AMY LITTON

Costa Mesa

Balboa Village businesses could be helped now

Here is a suggestion for the city of Newport Beach. Because of all the

construction in downtown Balboa, why not encourage business instead of

driving it away (“Balboa Village businesses feeling construction pinch,”

Dec. 4). A simple plan -- eliminate parking meters on the streets, in the

lot and do not charge for the lot by the pier. The few businesses that

are trying to hold on until May (which in itself is a fantasy) should be

given a break.

The boat parade parking is the least of it. That is a five-day event,

and these people are trying to make a year-round living. There are so few

spaces that the loss of revenue, in comparison to the good will that

would be gained, is worth it. This is not summertime, so the spaces would

not be used mainly by beachgoers. I live one mile from the Fun Zone.

I see these merchants in their empty stores because of the parking

situation. The main lot is $7, which is appalling. It is very

discouraging to see “No Parking until May 2002.” We will be lucky if it

is only May.

The end result if the city does not step in will be that those of us

who live down here will have a beautifully landscaped and paved area to

ourselves with row after row of empty stores. If the city does not do

something, they may as well tear down all the buildings and make the

whole thing residential. Not a bad idea, but that is not the purpose of

this endeavor. The city is trying to make improvements that will draw

people down to this area. Why not start now?

RHODA FRIEDMAN

Balboa Peninsula

Home Ranch should be put to a public vote

Your editorial discouraging a referendum on the Home Ranch project is

itself discouraging (“Keep referendum on Home Ranch off the ballot,”

Sunday).

The Home Ranch is a huge project that will increase traffic and

density and enrich an already wealthy developer. Although there will be

mitigation for the traffic, as well as contributions by Segerstrom to a

number of worthy projects, it is not possible to fully counterbalance the

negative effects of the project.

Segerstrom has the right to build on his land within the confines of

the general plan, but as this development far exceeds existing

entitlements, it is entirely appropriate for the residents of Costa Mesa

to weigh in with their opinion.

I know from my own experience fighting the Dunes Hotel in Newport

Beach that the concessions granted to project opponents are often

minimal, but are used to show the supposed responsiveness of decision

makers to public outcry.

Home Ranch opponents should certainly attempt to place a referendum on

the ballot. Election law makes this quite a difficult feat, which means

that only the most determined of opponents will be successful.

If Home Ranch is the superb project that the Daily Pilot believes it

to be, it should be able to withstand a referendum. If not, then the

people should have the right to just say no.

SUSAN SKINNER CAUSTIN

Newport Beach

Boaters must be aware of hazardous conditions

I just read the (The Harbor Column, “A rescue that could have gone the

other way,” Dec. 3) and have the following comment:

Mike Whitehead asked, “What can we learn from this situation?”

I would suggest the first thing that inexperienced and experienced

boaters need to learn is to check the Harbor Department flags -- if the

“small-craft warning” flag is flying, do not take your boat out of the

harbor. There is a reason the Harbor Department flies this flag. It is a

warning that there are unexpected conditions on the ocean.

The other things you mention should be second, third, etc. The Harbor

Department personnel are extremely well-trained, but they do not need to

be rescuing stupid people. People think this could not happen to them,

only to the other guy. The Harbor Department personnel have enough to do.

They do not need to baby-sit people who do not use good judgment and

common sense.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

PAT NANGLE

Newport Beach

Newport Coast doesn’t want Newport Beach

Only 22% of the people showed up to vote for the Greenlight

Initiative. Fortunately, the Greenlight was defeated, and fortunately I’m

pleased.

On the other hand, I wonder how many folks out of that Newport Coast

area were among the paltry 22% who showed up to vote. I suspect very

little ,if any at all, because frankly I don’t think the Newport Coast

folks had any interest in any of the issues affecting the real Newport

Beach.

Lastly, to see that so many of the protest ballots were thrown out was

very disappointing.

It’s quite apparent that the residents of the real Newport Beach do

not want the annexation, and our City Council, for whatever political

reasons of its own, is discounting the real will of the people, and

essentially basing it on a procedural dimension, which is “why didn’t we

raise the objection in a timely fashion?”

Once again, I’m very, very disappointed.

WILLIAM MONROE

Corona del Mar