MAILBAG - Nov. 23, 1999

I am so grateful that I attended a recent meeting sponsored by the

Airport Working Group. I learned valuable information about the proposed

El Toro airport and potential expansion of John Wayne Airport. I heard

facts that made me realize I cannot afford to be apathetic about this

subject. Without an additional airport to take the pressure off of John

Wayne Airport, I am convinced all Newport Beach and Costa Mesa residents

will have their quality of life seriously compromised. We keep hearing

from antiairport people (in South County) that there are other options

for airport use outside of the county. If so, why haven’t they come up

with more details about it and started planning procedures? They

certainly are spending enough money on this issue. I think the reason is

they know there are no other options that are practical or workable.

Apparently, the El Toro site is our last real hope.

What I kept wondering throughout the AWG presentation (which by the way

was exceptional) was why there has not been more information given to us

on the subject. I live in Costa Mesa and to my knowledge our officials

have been very silent on the airport issue. We are running out of time to

get the facts out. I hope our city government will take a leadership

position in putting forth material to educate everyone affected --

certainly every Costa Mesa resident.

SANDRA WHITE

Costa Mesa

El Toro matters when election rolls around

Anyone who is not strongly in favor of turning El Toro into a commercial

airport is someone who I would do everything I can to take off of the

council or make sure they are not reelected (“Residents fume over lack of

action,” Nov. 4). Anyone in favor of having El Toro converted and

therefore prevent the expansion of John Wayne Airport will be someone for

whom I will do everything I can, including contributing money and time,

to get them elected. I think it is rather appalling that the council

members of Costa Mesa have let the West Side of Costa Mesa deteriorate

because of absentee landlords and nonenforcement of housing laws. Now we

have the threat of an expanded Orange County airport totally destroying

the East Side of Costa Mesa, which is where many of the people from the

West Side have migrated. It will be shocking then that both sides of the

city, for different reasons, will have their lifestyles completely

destroyed. You can revitalize the West Side by tearing down all of the

structures and stores and so on, but the airport, once the expansion

starts, there is no way to revitalize the area because of the noise and

pollution. The number of flights will totally ruin the environment and

everyone’s living conditions in the area.

ROBERT ZIMMER

Orange County

I have been an educator for 15 years and have raised two beautiful

Christian children. The idea that “Harry Potter” will lead our children

to witchcraft is silly (“‘Harry Potter’ books sending anti-Christian

message,” Nov. 13). Take a second look at fairy tales and legends. I’m

not ready for book-burning just yet.

The children who read “Harry Potter” books should be old enough to

understand the difference between reality and fantasy. If they don’t,

then the parents are to blame. Happily, I have more faith in our

children.

P. M. ROBINSON

Newport Beach