Letter of the week

Since my wife and I moved to Costa Mesa and became familiar with this

newspaper, we have been inundated with articles, editorials and features

on “The Worm.” Dennis Rodman has done the unthinkable. He has moved into

the posh community of Newport Beach and has had a party--seemingly--every

night.

It seems to me that he is doing the same thing that the tourists who

rent the Newport Beach properties have always done: party.

As a result, Newport Beach reaps the residual financial benefits.

Tourists drink at local taverns, eat at the pubs and restaurants, pay

their money for street and lot parking (or pay the fines that result from

noncompliance) and purchase paraphernalia marking their visit.

Face it, Newport Beach is a tourist attraction, and Rodman is one of

the rides. Was it any different when Humphrey Bogart parked his sailboat

in the Newport Harbor many years ago? Wouldn’t people drive to the

mystical Newport Beach to catch a glimpse of Bogie? It seems like the

cycles are repeating.

With all the complaints residents lodge to the police and the City

Council, it is no wonder why our students are not succeeding in our

schools; everyone is focusing on the red herring, Rodman.

As Pilot columnist Gay Geiser-Sandoval (satirically) suggested, maybe

there would be more attention given to the school board if Rodman decided

to run (“Forget the City Council, get Rodman to run for the school

board,” Aug. 1). People would attend board meetings and possibly even

discuss strategies for student success and interventions for student

nonachievement. Rodman alone cannot be responsible for the ills of

Newport Beach and its progeny.

I agree that Rodman has the responsibility to be a good citizen, but

Newport Beach and the rest of California (America for that matter) have a

responsibility to the youth of today and tomorrow.

Once again, neither Charles Barkley nor Dennis Rodman are role models

that children should be looking toward for civic examples. Parents,

clergy, community leaders and teachers are.

Keep this in mind.

STEPHEN GLASS

Costa Mesa