MAILBAG - July 27, 2006

Photographers aren’t problem at Little Corona

I love Little Corona beach and go there often. It’s no surprise that photographers like it, too, because it is a beautiful place. But from what I see they are not the problem.

Late-night beach fires and beer parties have ruined much of a beach that is supposed to be part of a marine preserve. Hot coals are hidden beneath the sand and charcoal, beer bottles and other trash are left all over the beach for everyone to enjoy.

Signs say the beach is closed after 10 p.m. but it is clear that there is little or no enforcement. There is also a sign that a certain bank enjoys advertising from that claims to help keep the beach clean. The next time I see them cleaning will be the first. Perhaps a sign indicating the last time they were there to pick up trash would inspire more care and justify their commercial presence.

Dozens if not hundreds of people trample the “sensitive tide pools” daily, but a tripod is doing the damage? I actually had a tide-pool ranger tell me to get out of the water on a 90-degree day as I was too close to the rocky areas. I was speechless. Meanwhile back at the sand, trash builds and dogs run free to do their business while their owners feign looking in a different direction so as not to see and hence not have to pick up after them.

Give the rangers some trash-bags emblazoned with the bank’s logo and have a cop go down there more than once a year and Little Corona will remain picturesque. The way it’s used and abused now will solve the so-called photographer problem unless people don’t mind garbage in their wedding pictures.

GREGG PETERSON

Corona Del Mar

Council members are no Three Stooges

As a longtime resident of Costa Mesa, it is disconcerting to see my neighbor Mike Dunn draw an unfair comparison between our City Council and the Three Stooges. After all: Larry, Moe and Curly Joe were productive, clear-thinking individuals with a distinct purpose in life! Long live the “Return to Reason” brigade.

PATRICK AYRES

Costa Mesa

Focus police attention on illegal fireworks

While reading the July 16 “Mailbag,” something came to mind. It appears that Linda Harrison of Costa Mesa wants to outlaw “legal” fireworks. In her piece, she notes that there were 120 arrests for “illegal” fireworks in Costa Mesa. That seems to upset her. I congratulate the police for doing such a fine job and arresting those who are using “illegal” fireworks.

What I cannot understand is why we should punish the thousands of residents who are using safe and sane fireworks in a lawful manner. I would like to know the statistics on arrest, fires or injuries caused by “legal” fireworks in our city. Then let’s compare that with skateboarding injuries, or people tripping over a curb or even people who cut their finger chopping veggies in the kitchen.

I also don’t understand why we should punish the many youth groups, athletic groups and various Costa Mesa-based non-profits that use “legal” firework sales as a huge fund-raising opportunity.

It is so simple these days to place blame. Unfortunately, in many cases, the blame is placed on the easy target rather than the real target of the issue. Our issue is not fireworks; it is “illegal” fireworks.

Taking a small fountain or a pack of snakes from a child does not simultaneously remove a bottle rocket or M-80 from the hands of an adult.

As with many issues, people seem to believe “big brother” needs to solve our problems. There are laws on the books that are working, thus 120 arrests. We don’t need to throw a blanket over the people who are playing within the rules. I don’t want to punish the children next door to me because a group around the corner can’t follow rules.

Let’s concentrate on the ones breaking the law.

God bless America ? quick, while it’s still legal.

TOM SIMRAK

Costa Mesa

Kids aren’t out there campaigning for politicians

As a point of clarification to Jeffrey M. Howard’s letter printed in the July 17 Daily Pilot (“Fourth proves immigration plans ridiculous”), the folks that run the fireworks stands in Costa Mesa are all non-profit organizations, and in many cases are booster clubs for local high school sports teams. To characterize them as “special interest groups that contribute to [Mayor Allan Mansoor’s] campaign with their ill-gotten profits from the sale of dangerous fireworks” is both wrong and pretty amusing.

They’re trying to raise money for their kids’ sports programs through the legal, permitted sale of fireworks. I sincerely doubt that any of these groups are paying baksheesh to the mayor; they’d rather buy basketballs and football helmets for their teams.

STEVE JOSLIN

Newport Beach

Another thing to hate: Self-checkout

Steve Smith is quite right about the lack of good service today. I really am irritated when the customer is expected to do the work the employees are paid to do, as when the company puts in customer-operated checkout stations. It really upsets me that they expect me to learn how to operate it, and I am not even compensated by any special offer or reduction in price. Essentially, I become an uncompensated employee.

LLOYD JONES

Costa Mesa

About time city returns to reason

I’m so glad to see that some people are getting some sense with Return to Reason and getting a grip on the Costa Mesa City Council.

There are people on that council who are incredibly, incredibly dangerous to Costa Mesa. There are a few good people on it, but there’s an awful lot of bad. I hope the voters step forward and get rid of the bad.

JERRY BROOKS

Costa Mesa