Boardwalk on Back Bay a needed...

Boardwalk on Back Bay a needed addition

I am writing to voice my opinion about the work that is going on

at Upper Newport Bay. The Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends is a

group of dedicated volunteers that tries to educate the public about

conservation, preservation and habitats at the Back Bay. Construction

of a footbridge is a good thing because most of the public does not

realize how human impact affects wildlife and the environment. People

do not follow signs to stay on paths and walk their dogs with

leashes. The public causes harm when they intrude onto the reserve in

an unmanageable manner. Therefore, things like paths to walk on are

necessary to show people where they can and can’t go.

I understand that there was an article in the Daily Pilot that

perceives the restoration work being done at the Upper Newport Beach

to be detrimental to the environment. In fact the Naturalists are

continually working on re-vegetation projects to restore the bay to

its natural state and to correct the damages that humans have done in

the past. In doing so, they must enter sensitive areas, but these

people are trained to be careful, choose appropriate timing around

nesting season and they genuinely care about the environment.

SYLVIA MARSON

Costa Mesa

No more intrusions needed into habitat

Drew Lawler is right (Letter to the editor, “Boardwalk out of step

with community, environment,” Friday). The building of a boardwalk

along the Back Bay would be another intrusion on the natural habitat

and bird sanctuary. Three years ago I was walking the path and

encountered a big truck with a monster hose moving among clumps of

Pampas Grass. I asked what was being done and the driver said he was

poisoning the plants as they are not native to the area. Now there

are huge mounds of dead Pampas, a fire hazard, and I suspect nothing

will grow there for some time to come. I wonder if that poison has

gotten to our ground water.

Also I had enjoyed watching the finches flocking into the Pampas

to feed on the seeds in the blooms. I’ve seen Pampas Grass in

Southern California for more than 70 years. How old must it be to be

native?

I add my no to a boardwalk in the Back Bay.

EVELYN MOODEY

Newport Beach

Marinapark hotel would be terrible addition

We live next to the proposed hotel at Marinapark Mobile Homes.

Already we have right in back of us the Best Western Hotel, the

world’s largest hotel chain. From many years experience we can tell

you this relatively small hotel is most detrimental to the peace and

quiet of this residential neighborhood.

We now have car alarms, very noisy racket from dumpsters, drunks

staggering beside our home to the sand where they urinate. We have

had to call the police about this. Now multiply this by 110 rooms and

you will see how this will affect the lovely bay.

No one speaks for the shore birds. We do. They will go and what a

loss, the Blue Herons, the Pelicans, the Avocets, ducks and many

more.

I attended a meeting of the Coastal Commission to protest the

enlargement of the hotel next to us. The Best Western chain wanted to

turn a duplex with two parking spaces into a five-plex with two

parking spaces. They had already built the five units. They would

grow like a cancer.

The developers are lying when they say traffic will not be

affected. Would they drop their clients in by helicopter? And have

their maids, etc. swim in from the harbor?

My vision is to have a community center with not just a “window”

to the harbor; a place for the residents who pay the taxes, not for

the benefit of the developers. A place where kids could learn sailing

or have ballet classes. Musicians, perhaps a string quartet, could

practice. Local artists such as Lorraine, my neighbor could display

her work; seniors could get their flu shots. Clothes could be

collected for homeless and residents would have a meeting place.

Keep the beach open. Don’t pave Paradise. And please keep the

beach accessible to everyone and not just those who can afford $500 a

day.

PATRICIA FROSTHOLM

Balboa Peninsular

OCC’s priority needs to be its students

The Daily Pilot article outlining Orange Coast College’s loss of

state funding illustrated how serious our state budget deficit really

is and how it will effect many people in our community (“Community

classes’ funding to be cut, Saturday). Is OCC’s decision to move

money to cover for-credit classes the best call? That’s a tough

question to answer.

At first I thought it might not be the best decision. Then I

thought it over and the more I thought it over the more I realized

that OCC’s primary responsibility is to educate about 28,000

students. I think they send more students to four year colleges and

universities than any other community college. The loss of state

funding for education is going to effect every level of education and

when you think about the impact it will have it is devastating. OCC’s

loss of swap meet revenue for eight months didn’t help matters any.

As grown-up citizens, (I hate to use the word senior in my case), we

need to do everything possible to dampen the blow.

Let’s hope OCC can find funding to restore some of the community

based programs it has offered to local residents soon.

WILLIAM PEZZULLO

Costa Mesa

* EDITOR’S NOTE: William Pezzullo is a vendor at the OCC swap

meet.

Conflict laws should be comprehensive

Cities should have conflict of interest rules. In addition to

those mentioned in the article (“Conflict lacking in early talks on

campaign rules,” Friday), they should include Greenlight,

representative government, property rights, zoning, general plan and

growth, to name a few. Every aspect of “conflicts” should be

considered.

Also reference Mayor Steve Bromberg’s recent letter to the Daily

Pilot (“Bell Curve missed with swing against council”).

PAUL SALATA

Newport Beach