MAILBAG - Feb. 1, 2000

Site for skate park is the right choice

A skate facility is a huge paved area with surrounding walkways, roughly

the same size as two tennis courts. It is obvious that such a large

concrete area does not fit into a small pocket park. The Charle/Hamilton

site is only a few hundred feet from Harbor Boulevard, a commercial area,

and is a natural location for our first skate park serving southern Costa

Mesa, just as TeWinkle Park or a school site would make an excellent

location for a second skate park serving northern Costa Mesa.

Let’s work together for the kids and finish the Charle/Hamilton facility

this year.

BILL TURPIT

Costa Mesa

Bayside residents don’t endorse project

I am calling in response to the article Jan. 22, “Planners Puzzled Over

Bayside Stance.” Allow me to end any confusion over the endorsement of

the Dunes project by Bayside Village residents once and for all.

The facts are that more than 250 Bayside Village residents, approximately

90%, signed petitions opposing this huge development that will smother

their homes, congest their neighborhoods and lower their property values.

The Bayside Village Homeowners Assn. had no right to give tacit support

of the project. They alone are not the voice of this community. It is

time to put this issue to rest in a bold headline so not to be

misunderstood. Bayside Village residents say no to Dunes project.

STEVE LEACH

Newport Beach

Luxury for some, trouble for others

I understand why people from South County cities are opposed to El Toro

airport. Now that the military jets have gone, they have a quiet

community and want to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, that luxury for them means double trouble for Newport

Beach and Costa Mesa residents. Without El Toro airport, the county

environmental report states John Wayne Airport will expand. In a recent

meeting the county supervisors confirmed that fact.

There is little doubt that the community under the John Wayne flight path

will be far more affected by an expansion of John Wayne than those people

affected by an airport at El Toro. The federal and county governments

provided an enormous buffer zone for their area because the military jets

were so loud. Those of us who live by John Wayne know we have not been

given that luxury. We have no buffer zone.

The recent flight tests proved homes by John Wayne are much more impacted

by the noise than any were by El Toro.

Therefore, it makes sense for our county to proceed with plans for an El

Toro airport and we must hope that the majority of Orange County citizens

understand that it is the best solution possible.

JEREMY LARSON

Costa Mesa

Dunes hotel will bring too much traffic

This letter is being written to let you know of my opposition to the

proposed 600-room Dunes hotel along the Back Bay. There is too much

traffic and pollution now along Coast Highway and traffic is at a

standstill many times throughout the day.

Not only will we have more pollution, traffic, noise and congestion, our

Back Bay will be destroyed. Remember, Coast Highway is the only traffic

route to take across town without going around the Bay, which would cause

more gridlock around the Back Bay.

Please let’s stand together and defend the only Back Bay we have. Do not

let this project pass. The developer is the only one who wins if this

passes and our quality of life is threatened dramatically.

CAROLE WAGNER

Newport Beach

City should use surplus for street repairs

This is regarding the $1.6-million budget surplus for Costa Mesa. I

believe Costa Mesa could use some work on its streets, in particular a

street that I use every day -- 19th Street, near the intersection of

Placentia Avenue. Both are in terrible condition. In front of the DMV as

well.

SHARON SUNNY STARBUCK

Newport Beach