MAILBAG - Oct. 25, 2006

Costa Mesa needs Mansoor, Leece

In the 12 years I have had the pleasure of serving on the Costa Mesa parks and recreation commission, I have never felt more compelled to comment on why this upcoming election should be so important to the residents of Costa Mesa.

With the exception of Chris Bunyan, I have worked side by side with this year’s field of candidates on parks and recreation commission issues, as well as other city projects. They are all very nice people and, during interviews or public forums, they have all expressed their desire for making our city a better place to live: fixing pot holes, synchronizing traffic signals, creating more youth playing fields, stopping speeding through neighborhoods and increasing the number of police officers. The list goes on.

All candidates seem to be on the same wavelength, except for the one thing that Mayor Allan Mansoor and parks chairwoman Wendy Leece both strongly agree on — the Immigration and Customs Enforcement issue. This is the issue that Mansoor and Councilmen Gary Monahan and Eric Bever voted into place for the betterment of our community. It allows a handful of gang officers and investigators (not the entire Costa Mesa Police Department) to be trained by immigration officers on how to properly book into custody illegal immigrants, from any country, who are arrested on felony charges in Costa Mesa. These illegal immigrants will be deported and then kept track of, in case they choose to return to our city, whereby they will be legally deported again.

This procedure will not involve door-to-door searches, car stops or any of the other scare tactics that have been suggested by the opponents of this proposal. The people who are here illegally know that they have already broken one law in coming here and must be made aware that committing further crimes in Costa Mesa will not be tolerated.

Some will say that this is a federal Border Patrol issue and it will cost too much to implement.

I say they are wrong, and here’s why: The federal government is also responsible for stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Since their Drug Enforcement Agency cannot stop all of it on its own, they rely on city, county and state police departments to help them whenever possible. The Costa Mesa Police Department has specially trained narcotics officers and patrol officers who make arrests for illegal drug use and possession on a daily basis.

A Costa Mesa police officer arresting an illegal immigrant for committing a felony and then following the rules and regulations of his or her deportation training shouldn’t be any different.

Additionally, there has been a great deal said recently about candidate endorsements from local labor groups. Here’s an idea: How about if the police and fire unions refrain from endorsing any candidate, as some of these future council members may one day be voting on pay raises and benefits packages for the members of these unions. If there were no endorsements from these labor groups, the elected council members would be less easily influenced and less biased when it came to a vote that affected these unions.

As for comments by those living elsewhere made about our candidates, or made about Costa Mesa in general — you might also consider stifling your observations. If you no longer live here, or work here, or own a business here, please withhold your commentary so our resident voters can sift through the already overwhelming amount of minutiae out there. This goes for those of you who used to live here or used to work here and chose to leave Costa Mesa. Your comments are not necessary. If you want to be a part of it, live it with the rest of us.

For those of you who are Costa Mesa residents, it is imperative that you take part with your vote in this upcoming election of council members.

It is an absolute must that Mansoor and Leece be elected to join Bever in the continuation of essential improvements to our city. By voting for Mansoor and Leece, we will keep the misinformed Return to Reason revelers from dismantling the immigration proposal and other very important issues that will truly be beneficial to our community’s future.

MARK HARRIS

Costa Mesa

Mark Harris is a members of the Costa Mesa parks and recreation commission.Harboring good feelings for patrolIt sure is easy to criticize people and activities when unfortunate things occur. But do we take the time to express appreciation for a job well done as often as we should?

During the last 40 years it has been my privilege to enjoy boating on Newport Harbor. I have had numerous contacts with the Harbor Patrol, which have caused me to develop a real appreciation for the service it provides and the competence its members show in doing their job.

When I lost my steering in my motor boat in the turning basin during the boat parade, they were contacted by radio and not only responded promptly, but they also offered to take us all the way back to our slip at the other end of the bay. We appreciated that.

While racing our sailboat one February in a high wind, we got back-winded and turned turtle. My wife and I were holding onto the center board pointed skyward when they came by to assist, and it was cold. We were sure glad to have them help right the boat and pump out the water so we could get back to the dock. They were ready and helpful.

We encountered a low tide and foolishly went aground in the Back Bay one afternoon. We tried several methods to get loose, but we were stuck. Someone called the Harbor Patrol, and shortly a deputy responded by car and megaphone to be sure we were OK. We were, and they signaled that help was on the way. We were sure glad to see the familiar red boat. It took some time, but they were able to pull us off the mud bank. They could have criticized us for making a dumb mistake, but they only said they were glad to be of service. The Harbor Patrol provides valuable assistance for all of us when needed.

They definitely enforce the rules and regulations but in an understanding way. Once they hailed us that our DMV sticker was expired. They could have stopped us and maybe cited us, but they didn’t, and we promptly renewed our license.

One afternoon while cruising in our Duffy with our family, two deputies stopped us. They told us that children younger than 12 must wear life jackets in that size boat. We got out the life jackets right away as they explained the reasons for the rule to the children. They also gave each child a whistle to attach to the jacket. The kids like that. The deputies were really nice.

We feel that the presence of the deputies constantly touring the bay gives a law enforcement presence that deters those who might steal or vandalize boats on the water.

The Harbor Patrol is ready and willing to serve in different ways.

When we bring disadvantaged children to the bay to have a boating experience, the deputies demonstrate the things they do and talk to the kids about water safety. It is a positive encounter with law enforcement that shows the kids that law enforcement personnel are there to help them.

Every day the patrol monitors the sea lion situation and not only advises boat owners of problems but assists in solving them. Without them, more boats would be sunk or damaged by the sea lions.

The Harbor Patrol, its excellent management, and its well-trained deputies provide a valuable service to the people of Newport Beach, and we would do well to show them our appreciation by a friendly wave or an occasional note of thanks.

ALAN OLESON

Corona Del Mar