READERS RESPOND

As a voter in Costa Mesa since 1967, as a parent of two sons who attended Costa Mesa schools from kindergarten through Orange Coast College, as a longtime high school teacher, and now as an instructor to graduate students working to become high school teachers, I deplore the axing of the youth-in-government program that the City Council had originally approved.

Mayor Allan Mansoor and council members Wendy Leece and Eric Bever ought to be ashamed of themselves for playing such glaring partisan politics.

What? Let the teens explore city government? What? Offer the teens a forum or a voice? What? We didn’t pay attention when we approved the parks and recreation budget? What? We missed it?

Fee! Fie! Foe! Fum! We smell the ideological, secular boogeyman.

The 18 teenagers who had aspired to participate in grass-roots civic affairs were not the only ones who got the official boot in the you-know-where.

Their friends, classmates, teachers, parents, friends’ parents and classmates’ parents all probably have a really bitter taste in their mouth right about now. You can be sure that most, if not all, of the aforementioned adults are just as disgusted as I am.

Dumb move. Really dumb move!

FLO MARTIN SAINT-CLAIR

Costa Mesa

It’s absolutely pointless, and it looks like Wendy Leece is already putting her ideological spin on the City Council with her comment that she’s concerned about what the program would teach students ideologically. It might teach them about government and how important it is to stay involved. This is only the beginning, I can see.

The other question I have is the residency of James Righeimer. I recall that he has been an active participant in Fountain Valley activities, and at what point did he move to Costa Mesa? If he’s a recent immigrant, what makes him more qualified to be on the planning commission than the people who were kicked off by the new council majority?

I’m very concerned about what the future is for the city of Costa Mesa at this point.

SHARON BOUDREAU

Costa Mesa

I think it’s unconscionable that the City Council has the ego to cancel the youth-in-government program because they didn’t get a chance to review it first. They certainly did get a chance. I think children need every opportunity they have to learn about local government. It’s not taught in the schools, and to deny them this opportunity just teaches them the wrong things about local government.

JUDY KELSEY

Costa Mesa

I want to put my two cents in about the youth program being axed. I think Mayor Allan Mansoor has said Costa Mesa rental units breed gang members. I think if any of these students and their parents are renters, it doesn’t bode well for his propaganda. This is a valuable first lesson on how Costa Mesa’s government works, and I really appreciate Councilwoman Katrina Foley for trying to get this going for these students. I wish them a lot of luck.

MAC ONTIVEROS

Costa Mesa

I feel that was a wrong decision by the City Council. It was something very positive for our children. I definitely am for the youth program.

PATRICIA LASSEN

Costa Mesa