Mailbag - Aug. 12, 2000

It is very alarming that so many principals are leaving the school

district (“Newport-Mesa’s principal problem concerns parents,� Aug. 10).

While each does seem to be leaving for one reason or another, teachers

are leaving as well.

It all boils down to living in one of the wealthiest communities and

being in one of the lowest-paying districts. It is a travesty.

It might help to do some major housekeeping at the top. I am sure

these individuals are being paid more than they should be.

We will continue to lose excellent principals, and teachers as well,

until the district is able to get things in order and get rid of the

inefficient administrative staff that has been holding Newport-Mesa

Unified School District back for years.

It is time to really clean house!

ANNE PETERSON

Newport Beach

Forum offers chance to grill candidates

A recent Daily Pilot Mailbag (“No vote of confidence for the

candidates,� Aug. 1) published a piece by Ron and Anna Winship about the

importance of Newport Beach City Council candidates being frank and

forthright concerning their positions on key issues.

They stated it was time to “get all the ducks out on the table this

time -- without all the typical obfuscation, misrepresentations and

boring, stealthy agendas.�

I am pleased to inform the Winships and all my neighbors in Newport

Beach that just such an opportunity will occur at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, when

the West Newport Beach Assn. hosts a City Council candidates’s forum at

City Hall.

All bona fide candidates will be invited to participate and respond to

a set of structured questions that will focus on key issues in our

community.

To the Winships and everyone in our community, I extend an invitation

to attend this public forum. Come early to be sure to get a good seat and

enjoy some straight talk about the future of Newport Beach.

ALAN W. SILCOCK

President

West Newport Beach Assn.