MAILBAG - Aug. 21, 2006

Are condominiums in Marinapark’s future?Speak up Newport’s Dave Goff asks, “You [Greenlight proponents] trust the general public to make land-use decisions. Why do you not trust them to elect representatives who can do a good job representing them?” (Daily Pilot, Aug. 10, “Public Debates Greenlight”)

The answer clearly lies in the City Council’s pro-developer, pro-investor decisions over the past few years, the most recent example being its decision(s) concerning Marinapark.

Failing in its scheme to replace the mobile home park with a “luxury resort with a limited number of condominiums,” a plan rejected by more than two-thirds of the voters, the council is now considering a “marina plus park” that will accommodate 50-foot-plus yachts.

Under its proposed “General Plan,” the council would rezone the existing mobile home park to “marine-recreational.” If the marina comes, can condos be far behind?

John Dowden

Newport Beach

Mansoor’s comments an embarrassmentI was born at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach in 1975. Yes, I had a young mother. Yes, we lived in apartments for a while and I am sure that we struggled through the ‘80s to have nice clothes and good food. When I was in the second grade, we moved to Newport Heights, and it was a dream for me — not because I lived in the Heights, but because I lived in a three-bedroom house that was painted yellow, and I had a huge backyard. My parents had two more children, and we had dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. I made lifelong friends and had a very normal life. When I reached the seventh grade, I remember going skiing and someone asking me where I lived. I said I live in Newport Beach, because I was embarrassed to say that I lived in Costa Mesa. I had this terrible way of thinking until I reached my early 20s. Then I thought wow, why am I embarrassed of Costa Mesa? There is so much culture. I love the community programs. This is a cool city and a community that really cares about its people.

I was embarrassed at my behavior. I really put my parents through the ringer by forcing my “social standards” on them. I want Bong Jeans! I want another Nintendo game! Mom, you’re so lame for driving an LTD not a minivan. I began to reflect on myself. I looked to my community for education on how to accept myself.

When I got into a car accident on Newport Boulevard on Mother’s Day 2002, I really did see how our community can come together — the Costa Mesa Police Department, the Fire Department, and the people of our community. Black, white, Asian, Mexican…. You all made me feel loved and appreciated. My daughter — now a quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator — has been welcomed into our community with open arms by most of you. I was forced to see that life is not about my new Suburban or Ford Expedition, Nintendo/PlayStation games, how much I weigh or what my hair looks like. It is about how I can enjoy my time while I have it. It is about how I can give to my community, and how I can help my neighbors and my extended family (the people of this community). This came to me when I saw my daughter’s lifeless eyes and her body hanging in her car seat. People, do you need to go through this situation to see what life means?

Today, I was reading about the Israel Maciel murder. I thought to myself, what is going on? Why do we have this violence? Why is there a divide among my community? My heart really went out to the parents of all the gunshot victims. When I read what our mayor had to say, I was shocked. It felt like a sting to the heart. I am sure many people agree with him and again my eyes are opened to another one of life’s lessons. Does Mayor Allan Mansoor imply that soup kitchens, job centers and downscale rental units are the reasons for this shooting?

Your article says that in 2005 there were three homicides. This year there are already four. This is very saddening to me. Is this the mentality of the leader of my city? Oh, it must be the “poor people” or the “Hispanic” people. You know, the ones who can’t afford $2,500 a month for a … living situation here in the “Heights.” Or it must be all those people who need food that just go around and shoot everybody. Or is it the ones going to the job centers trying hard to provide for their families so their kids can go to school here in lovely Costa Mesa. It must have been a homeless person who carjacked that the lady at Growers Direct.

Well, I would like to say “thanks” to Mayor Allen Mansoor. Thank you for making me feel embarrassed to be a part of our fading, degrading, divided city of Costa Mesa once again!

June Gutierrez

Costa Mesa

Profile understated Yelsey’s contributionsRegarding the article “Two make plans to run for school board” (Daily Pilot, Aug. 6), to reduce Karen Yelsey’s profile after serving 20 years in major leadership roles — including passage of Measure A, PFO president, PTA president, WASC chair, Zone Pac, Site Council, Spirit Run chair, effecting great good in this district — to “volunteered at a number of school events” is incredibly naive and misleading.

Be careful how you characterize “stay-at-home moms,” as they are some of the most dynamic women in the community.

Susan Kramer

Newport Beach