The fair was a great time Dear...

The fair was a great time

Dear Becky Bailey-Findley and other Orange County Fair officials:

Congratulations and thank you for another wonderful and

well-planned fair.

We enjoyed the reopening of the Pacific Amphitheatre celebration,

Diana Krall, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers concerts. Our adult

children, their friends and several cousins had fun at the Devo

concert (a flashback to their high school days). In today’s troubled

times, it was heartwarming to see people singing and dancing to the

music.

The Fab Four were also entertaining -- in the past we’ve been

lucky enough to dance to their fun music at a private party.

We dropped in (two nights) at the Baja Blues and totally loved the

Bay Area blues band performing. We also liked last year’s blues band.

Again, thank you.

RACHEL PEREZ-HAMILTON

Costa Mesa

Church supports march’s goals

To the city of Costa Mesa:

We join with the Center Orange County and the American Civil

Liberties Union of Southern California in voicing our concern over

the permit requirements that have been imposed upon this year’s

Orange County Dyke March. We are concerned because:

1. of the difficulties being raised to the expression of free

speech and activities. To squelch and/or restrict the freedom of

speech undermines the very foundations of our country’s heritage and

traditions.

2. of the un-Christian nature of these restrictions. The great

imperative of Christianity is to build an inclusive community; not to

pull communities apart, not to put them down.

3. once again, we see members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and

transgender community being treated unfairly. These restrictions are

imposed at the expense of a minority of your constituents, and to

what purpose? Certainly they are not an expression of Christ’s

command to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

Therefore, we ask you to reconsider the denial of equal faith and

freedom these restrictions represent. Last year’s Orange County Dyke

March was an important and peaceful event in the life of our

community. It was an event that gave hope to many, and was a great

credit to the entire community of Costa Mesa and Orange County.

Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church has served all of

Orange County for over 33 years, providing an affirming

Christ-centered ministry to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender

and allied communities.

This resolution was adopted by action of the board of directors on

Aug. 10.

ROBIN WHITE

Pastor, Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church

Santa Ana

Are biker parades coming next?

Costa Mesa should have stood firm on their restrictions for this

parade. In fact, what Costa Mesa should have done is said “no” to the

parade.

There should be no rolling street closures or a parade on a summer

weekend afternoon anywhere near Newport Boulevard. Traffic is simply

miserable at this time of day, and then to impose any street closures

is ridiculous.

This group is only interested in an “in your face” confrontation,

which is quite obvious from the group’s name. Leave it to the ACLU,

which lacks not only integrity but common sense, to get involved.

When can we expect the Hell’s Angels parade?

A.M. GRANT

Newport Beach

Same permit rules should apply to all

Why should the city make exceptions for the Dyke March just

because they are threatened the ACLU?

Someone somewhere, someday needs to stand up to the ACLU or we are

all in trouble, as special interest groups push others aside so they

can exercise their “rights.” What about the rights of the rest of the

community?

It’s a sad day when one group can’t accept reality and abide by

the same rules everyone else has to follow.

I am sorry the city backed down.

WENDY LEECE

Costa Mesa