Letters to the Editor: Newport wise to raise its sea wall as global temperatures rise

Re. “Newport takes steps to add 9-inch cap to Balboa Island seawalls,” (Aug. 9).

Thanks to the Pilot for this item. There is no question Newport Beach will need to raise the seawall to protect from rising sea levels.

The latest draft of the federal climate report has just been released. Most of it is not news: humans are causing climate change, and it will get much worse before our solutions can take effect.

What is news is that now science can help communities, such as Newport Beach, understand how bad the problem will be and how soon. The city needs to study this news before deciding how high the increase should be.

Dr. James A. Martin

Huntington Beach

Councilman’s views on climate cause concern

Columnist Barbara Venezia reported recently that Councilman Scott Peotter opposed the appointment of a leading Balboa Island resident to the Harbor Commission because the resident apparently believed in “that whole man-made global warming/sea level rise thing” (“Column: Political ties, shared ideology clearly influence commission appointments,” Aug. 2).

Within days, the council voted to spend millions to raise the sea walls on Balboa Island to respond to the recent flooding during King Tides. That would be the whole “sea level rise thing.” Peotter’s anti-science views can cost the city millions.

Lynn Swain

Newport Beach

Spyglass Picnic made a splash

More than 370 people of all generations attended the fourth annual Spyglass Hill “Meet ‘N Greet” picnic gathering in Spyglass Hill Park on Aug. 1 as part of National Night Out.

This family-based gathering was planned months ahead by a dedicated team of volunteers of Spyglass Hill community residents led and managed by Therese Loutherback as committee chairwoman.

There was lots of fun for the whole family, including children face painting, a water melon contest, potato sack races and lots of prizes. We all enjoyed complimentary TK burgers and Kona ice cream. We look forward to our next neighborhood picnic and are so fortunate to have a caring community.

K. “Eddie” Mehrfar

Newport Beach

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