Weighing in on Measure F

AT ISSUE: Should the Newport-Mesa community support the $282-million Measure F school bond?Perhaps Measure F skeptic Steve Smith is living in a fantasy land, where construction costs never overrun, government funding is plentiful and schools magically upgrade themselves.

Our schools need the funding necessary to propel our kids into the 21st century and to provide them the evolving technological equipment and facilities that are norm in newer neighboring communities.

If we don’t pass Measure F on Tuesday, who is going to fund those necessary improvements? Tinker Bell with some fairy dust?

L.T. SHAMON

Newport Beach

I grew up in Costa Mesa and attended Costa Mesa High School almost 13 years ago. One of my brothers attends Newport Harbor High School and is active in the drama department there. In fact, that program has changed his life. I am also raising my family here. My husband and I bought in Mesa del Mar seven years ago. We have three boys who attend private school and play community youth sports.

Although our children don’t attend public school, we participate in many activities at our neighborhood school, Sonora Elementary School, and play soccer at Costa Mesa High School. We have witnessed the changes made to Sonora and our neighborhood by Measure A. Not only did the Measure A work improve the school, but it encouraged the school parents, teachers and our neighborhood association to chip in to help make even more improvements, such as new play equipment and beautification of the front of the school. Homes across the street are selling in the $700,000 range as a result.

It just makes sense to finish the job.

I am voting yes on Measure F because it is the only way that Robin-Loats Hall will be modernized and that the Costa Mesa athletic complexes will be built.

JESI PEARCE

Costa Mesa

After reading the article on Oct. 25, “Builder backs bond campaign,” I felt compelled to respond. I don’t often see eye to eye with Steve Smith; however, I concur with him that the past oversight of spending on Measure A is lacking.

I walked in my neighborhood and watched the work that went on at Kaiser Elementary School on Santa Ana Avenue in Costa Mesa. I observed a sidewalk on the north side of the campus, next to the parking lot, removed and replaced exactly as before, which appeared to me to be an unnecessary expenditure. Also, a walkway was marked (which was good) next to the bicycle rack on the south side. However, were the cement posts every few feet necessary? The ramp on the south side was probably required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

When you give a contractor too much rein, I believe he’ll run amok with spending unnecessarily. He needs to keep his employees working.

Was there an unbiased, honest local general contractor on the committee to oversee the progress of building and spending? In other words, a watchdog to oversee the implementation of actual building-students needs?

R. HAMILTON

Costa Mesa

By any reckoning, Measure A has been an awe-inspiring success. Ask any kid attending one of our campuses whether he or she feels safer, more motivated or has more pride in his or her school. The responses are enthusiastically positive -- I know , because I’ve asked. What about the teachers? Same deal -- almost to the point of being giddy!

Let’s finish the job Measure A started. Let’s bring all aspects of all of our schools into the 21st century. Do it for the kids. Please vote yes on Measure F. The future of our community, and more importantly, the future of our kids depends on it!

RICK KAPKO

Costa Mesa

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Kapko is a member of the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee and treasurer of the Costa Mesa Community Athletic Foundation.