Eclectic nature of Costa Mesa needs...

Eclectic nature of Costa Mesa needs to be left alone

In response to the “Dilapidated home not sweet to neighbors”

article (Saturday), I’d like to add this: Costa Mesa is made of a

wonderful eclectic group of people and areas throughout the city.

That was part of the charm and reason we moved to the Freedom homes

13 years ago.

I live on Monrovia and enjoy the differences in this neighborhood

and do not want the California cookie-cutter look for the Westside. I

am offended by those who think it is their job to dictate style and

maintenance to others. We cannot presume to know why people live the

way they live. It’s not our life -- it’s theirs.

My suggestion is work on your own life and home and you’ll reap

many rewards. If you want to live in a neighborhood that just looks

good, move to Irvine. This neighborhood is filled with families and

real people that I know I could count on -- and that’s all I want.

KATHI NELSON

Costa Mesa

Port Theater is a useless eyesore that should go

In response to the debate about the Port Theater, we would like to

register our support for Dick Nichols’ statement that the theater

should be torn down and excluded from being made a landmark. We are

35-year Corona del Mar residents. We used the theater only a few

times in that many years. The theater hasn’t been used since 1998. It

is an eyesore, with trash and debris around the entry area all the

time. Activities that could be held at the Port Theater in the future

could be held at the Oasis Senior Center a few block away, where

there is ample parking.

Many great improvements have been made to Coast Highway in Corona

del Mar that have made it a very inviting place. The Port Theater is

a dead horse. Why beat it with a stick?

PAT AND BOB MCLAUGHLIN

Corona del Mar

Costa Mesa council ignores transients, goes after renters

On Feb. 3, I attended the Costa Mesa City Council meeting. During

the open session, a woman from the Westside brought pictures of

intoxicated transients sleeping near her home. She has previously

spoken on the same subject at the council, focusing on problems with

transients such as trash, harassment, toilet facilities, etc. There

was no response from any council member.

Later, a group of citizens from Mesa Verde spoke about people

parking on public streets (paid for by all taxpayers) in front of

their homes. They asked for and received exclusive right to these

public streets for residents only. The “residents” do not include

apartment renters, only homeowners. When did renters become

nonresidents of Costa Mesa?

While I can understand the resident’s displeasure over parking

problems, I was amazed that this problem caused such a response from

City Council. The mayor, who lives near the affected area, expressed

outrage that such a problem could be happening in Mesa Verde and

directed staff to do something immediately to alleviate the problem.

And she wants to meet with the apartment owners personally.

Meanwhile, people are still sleeping in the alleys and doorways on

the Westside.

I wonder what would happen if some Westside homeowners got up at

City Council and claimed that apartment renters were not residents of

the Westside. Would they be ridiculed by council? Or would they be

able to claim Westside public property for use by homeowners only?

Maybe that would solve the transient problem.

Are there two faces of City Council? One for the west and one for

the rest?

JUDITH BERRY

Westside

Port Theater should be enjoyed by community

I believe the Port Theater deserves landmark status without any

question. It needs to enjoyed and preserved by the community.

COURTNEY RICHARDS

Corona del Mar

Fixing Port Theater not a good use of money

We feel the Port Theater would be too costly to fix and certainly

does not deserve to be a landmark, with the problems involved.

LAURIE AND BERK KELLOGG

Corona del Mar

Historic buildings deserve preservation

I believe we should protect our historic and landmark buildings

and protect our heritage and I don’t understand people such as

Councilman Dick Nichols moving into a neighborhood and not wanting

the things that were there when he moved in that were existing to not

be a part of the community anymore. I just feel that if we do not

preserve our history, I don’t think the future has as much meaning

and I am very much in favor of keeping our landmark theaters.

DEA BURTON

Newport Beach