Don’t let fish fry tradition die out

Doesn’t it seem ironic that Costa Mesa leaders are talking about the need to move the Lions Club’s annual fish fry because they think Lions Park is an inappropriate home for the longtime tradition?

City officials have a skate park pegged for Park Avenue and West 18th Street, which would force the fish fry to move. The skate park would be built where the Lions set up their picnic shelters.

Mike Scheafer, a Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club board member, said the fish fry, which is the weekend after Memorial Day, may go belly-up if Lions Club members have to move. The last time they tried that at Orange Coast College, a woman twisted her ankle there and filed a lawsuit.

“I think the overriding sentiment among the Lions is that if we have to move from Lions Park, it will probably kill the fish fry,” Scheafer said. “We’re associated with Lions Park. “

And it looks like some council members want the fish fry out of Lions Park. Councilwoman Wendy Leece pointed out the fish fry’s carnival rides rip up the ball field.

Whatever the issues are, the Lions and city officials need to cast their lures for solutions. It does no good to say why the fish fry can’t move or can’t be in Lions Park. We’re confident the Lions and city leaders can solve this problem. If it means the city helps the Lions move then council members should offer whatever assistance is available. And we hope Lions Club members keep an open mind to alternatives.

It would be a terrible shame if a 61-year-old tradition withered because the community didn’t do everything it could to save it.