Let the public decide if we really...

Let the public decide if we really need a new City Hall

I strongly support the idea that any City Hall project be put to a

public vote.

I simply cannot believe the cavalier way in which the City Council

is ramming this new City Hall down our throats. The idea that there

are only two choices is ludicrous in the extreme.

Please don’t make this a legacy of greed -- the largest public

expenditure in our history, which will encumber our children and

grandchildren.

Please, please think about what’s best for the citizens, and don’t

be swayed by thoughts of regal new offices that will benefit no one

but yourselves.

There are probably a thousand things Newport Beach really needs,

and we need all of them a lot more than we need a luxurious new City

Hall.

CARL W. MUMM

Newport Beach

Letter writer didn’t shed enough light on Kaiser

I fail to understand Nancy Buchanan’s objection to the portable

lights at Kaiser school in “It’s time to turn off Kaiser lights,” in

the Wednesday Forum pages. Why all this talk about two lousy lights?

I helped coach my daughter’s soccer team for their season, which

lasted three months -- January through March this year. We practiced

at Kaiser from 5:30-7, one night a week. There are three fields at

Kaiser, but we shared the only lighted field with two other teams.

The two lights were faced away from the homes nearest to them, and

toward the homes that are 300 or more feet away.

If you pulled your shades, you’d never notice lights that far

away.

The two light generators do make noise, but unless you are having

an outdoor barbecue -- after dark, in the middle of winter -- you

probably wouldn’t notice them. The lights and generators are always

off by 7:05 p.m.

As far as AYSO Region 97 using Lions Park for practices -- how

would you like dropping off your 9 or 10-year-old daughter there? The

parents of our girls were able to do that safely at Kaiser.

I wouldn’t want my daughter anywhere near Lions Park after dark.

How about the Farm Sports Complex for practices? Well it isn’t

anywhere near Region 97, where the kids primarily live in Westcliff,

Newport Heights and Eastside Costa Mesa.

After reading Nancy’s 1,000-word diatribe, I never did comprehend

what her complaint was regarding the Kaiser portable lights. I guess

she just finds them “inconvenient.”

MIKE STEINER

Costa Mesa

Time to get started on moving the trailers in Marina Park

Re: Your question: “Should the Marina Park trailers be allowed to

stay until a plan is in place?”

Last November, 67% of voting residents said they wanted the Marina

Park site used for park and recreation purposes. Of course the

trailers have to go -- in a fair and orderly manner.

I think you’ll find that most of the lessees understand and agree

with this view. The process, once begun, is likely to take two or

three years, so it’s time to get started.

It’s also reasonable to assume that a plan will be in place long

before the last trailer goes. Your paper can serve as a useful

catalyst to make sure this happens. You won’t be alone.

JOSEPH F. O’HORA

Newport Beach