MAILBAG:

The vote by the Board of Supervisors to delay collecting development fees seems to be an inside story to me, as it does not explain what the fees are for, other than in lieu taxes, and how the county would spend the money (“County delays housing fees,” May 19.)

By contrast, development fees for something that already is built, such as the once-planned El Toro International Airport, should, perhaps, have no development fees to delay or collect.

When Irvine and its friends figure out the money that can be collected from commercial aviation at the Great Park, I expect to see many airplanes on those runways, including for entirely new markets, such as nonstop flights to Dubai, UAE.

John Wayne Airport was OK for short range small airplanes up to 10 million annual passengers, but now we need the long runways and safety that only El Toro can provide. It’s time to turn on the lights on this industrial land.

DONALD NYRE

Newport Beach

Schools need technical classes

Judge James P. Gray is to be congratulated for pointing out to readers that the only way society’s serious gang problems can be solved is through early intervention programs, which include mentoring and incentive plans (“What to do about gangs, poverty,” May 18).

Some very effective programs that were offered in the 1990s have been dropped due to “budget cuts.” The private sector must be actively lobbied to become more engaged in this extremely serious issue.

Some school districts can also assist by providing intensive survival skill course work and reinstituting work experience education and on-campus technical education so that young people can be adequately prepared for the world of work.

Schools and the surrounding community must also provide after-school activities during those afternoon hours when teenagers most need supervision and direction.

Throw in extending the school day, a mandatory dress code and parenting skills course work and we might start to get a handle on things.

In my estimation, this will all go a long way in providing the much-needed hope, success and healthy lifestyle described by the judge.

KENT MOORE

Newport Beach

Fighting for opposition’s right

David Horowitz writes in the Daily Pilot as president of the Freedom Center (“Nakba week only a hatefest by UCI’s Muslim students,” May 16).

Freedom from, or for what or whom! Freedom to suppress free speech by demonizing any one who dares to espouse an opposing view!

Freedom to conflate terrorism with all of Islam! Freedom to kill innocent civilians while carrying out targeted assassinations!

Freedom to impose collective punishment on a besieged population! Freedom to humiliate and subjugate the population of occupied territories in utter violation of international law!

Freedom of access to a compliant Western media to obfuscate reality while continuing to charade as perpetual victims! Freedom to bully spineless U.S. politicians into putting fealty to Israel ahead of the U.S. Constitution or U.S. self interest! Freedom to scare, goad and lie their way into a war with Iran!

Having said that, I have no problem in accepting Horowitz’s right to express his opinions in our “free” society.

I only ask that he extend the same courtesy to others, without fear of instant vilification.

JAMSHED DASTUR

Newport Beach