Mailbag - Jan. 17, 2002

I’m calling in regard to the boat parade. I think it’s a shame to cut

out the length of the parade because there are so many homes that would

be denied the beauty of the parade where it has become a tradition. There

are so few traditions left. I think this is one that brings all of

Newport Beach, and whoever wants to be there, together.

I do believe, however, that it’s unfair to expect the same boats to be

in the parade every single night.

They should perhaps scatter the entries of the boats throughout the

parade. That way, the boat owners won’t have to be there all night of the

parade. I would rather see the number of days of the parade shortened,

but still maintain the length of the parade. I think that would be

better, having the parade toward the weekend instead of at the beginning

of the week. Cutting off those few days might be the answer. I hope it

continues; it’s a beautiful thing.

SANDRA BASMACIYAN

Corona del Mar

City Council shows thoughtfulness with RVs

I am not at all surprised that there was a lack of civility regarding

the issue of housing RVs on the streets of Costa Mesa (“Rudeness takes

over Costa Mesa City Hall,� Monday). Having lived in the state streets of

Mesa Verde for the past two years, I have noticed many of these very

large vehicles scattered throughout the neighborhoods and left, in many

cases, to deteriorate and become unsightly. I was very pleased to hear

that the council had issued a new rule that the RVs would not be allowed

on the streets for more time than it takes to clean them.

After waking up every morning to the sight of a huge RV out my front

window over the holidays, I am more than supportive of the council’s

action. Thanks to the City Council for having the civility,

thoughtfulness and respect for your neighbor that may have been lacking

in some Costa Mesa residents. It does not surprise me that those who are

blind to being respectful to their neighbors would also express

themselves disrespectfully to their local governmental officials.

I have also had experience with neighbors who are RV owners but house

their huge vehicles elsewhere, which is truly thoughtful and engenders

good feelings. Living in such close proximity and on such small lots

makes consideration imperative.

I am certainly for the council taking action to enforce thoughtfulness

where it otherwise is not forthcoming. I hope to continue to see our

neighborhood appreciate in value.

CAROLINE MCNABB

Costa Mesa

Visioning process looks to undo Greenlight

I am extremely concerned that the visioning process is simply a ruse

to defeat Greenlight (“Finding a bit of vision in Newport,� Sunday).

The citizens have spoken on this subject on many occasions.

We must do our utmost to put severe restrictions on new growth in

Newport Beach. To do otherwise can only negatively impact our quality of

life.

If the outcome of the visioning process is to allow large projects

like the recently defeated Koll Center, the wishes of the citizenry will

be thwarted.

Please listen to your constituents. Resist the demands of big

business. Help to ensure that the visioning process will be in line with

what Newport Beach residents want.

CARL W. MUMM

Newport Beach

Columnist was too quick to rush to judgment

I would like to take exception to Steve Smith’s “muddy situations.�

First of all, let me say I was not present at the soccer tournament on

Dec. 29 and I don’t disagree at all with Smith’s basic premise that

parents need to be more involved in their children’s activities (Family

Time -- “Parents need to get into muddy situations,� Jan. 5). What I do

object to is his characterization of the AYSO volunteers he spoke to as

“deer in headlights.�

These volunteers are parents just like him. They’re not paid soccer

experts, they’re not professional groundskeepers, they’re not weather

experts, they are parents who donate their time. How much rain is

dangerous? Mist on the ground? Sprinkles? A sixteenth of an inch? An

eighth of an inch?

Smith feels this is an easy question to answer. He points out that he

is an expert on field conditions because he has coached “mostly baseball

for the last six years.�

Well, I agree that baseball is an extremely dangerous game to play on

a wet field, but I don’t think that soccer is a particularly dangerous

sport on wet grass. I would venture to guess that the decision to cancel

the games was as much to protect the fields as it was for safety reasons.

Smith shows his expertise for the game of soccer when he refers to the

referee as an “umperee.� As a parent who has volunteered as a Little

League coach, high school baseball coach, soccer coach and referee, I am

constantly amazed and, at the same time disgusted, by parents who won’t

volunteer their time but are all too eager and quick to point out the

ones who do are doing it wrong. Instead of encouraging parents to

intervene, Smith should be encouraging them to volunteer. That way, they

won’t have to intervene; they’ll be the ones making the decisions.

In closing, let me say that I realize it is easy for Smith to refer to

the AYSO volunteers he encountered as “deer in headlights� just as it is

easy for me to refer to him as something else.

JEFF GRANT

Costa Mesa