Readers Respond -- What are your thoughts about the possible school

donation?

We applaud C.J. Segerstrom & Sons for its decision to donate moneys to

Costa Mesa schools.

They continue to go above and beyond to improve Costa Mesa. To those

who find fault with this decision, we would ask what they have done

recently for the schools or the city of Costa Mesa.

As 30-plus-year residents of Costa Mesa with a home near the Home

Ranch project, it is our opinion that anything the Segerstrom family has

done in developing property has only enhanced the city of Costa Mesa

aesthetically, fiscally and culturally. Our kudos and personal thanks to

the Segerstroms for continuing to improve the quality of life in Costa

Mesa.

BILL and MARILYN HOBBS

Costa Mesa

Isn’t what the Segerstroms propose, if not illegal, definitely an

immoral act by offering a bribe of $2 million to our schools?

Our sewers are overloaded and old. Our streets are very crowded, and

motorists, because of this, express anger in all ways on our streets.

Do we need more population in this overcrowded area to only fill the

coffers of the Segerstroms with more millions?

I used to believe they were community orientated until this backdoor

offer. Please, someone say enough is enough.

I have been a resident of Costa Mesa since 1948 and have seen the poor

planning and the caving in of the City Council for either political

reasons or to developers with no real regard for the community. I also

was an employee of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District for 23 years,

and I have great-grandchildren in the schools now. I want the best for

all schools but not at the expense of ruining our city.

If the Segerstroms are really that generous to the community, why do

they have to offer this bribe? Let Segerstrom have the Ikea and office

buildings, but no more homes.

JACQUELINE I. KRAVITZ

Costa Mesa

Friday’s Los Angeles Times headline read “Local government leaders . .

. charged in probe.” The article states, “Colton City Council members . .

. charged in connection with the alleged bribery . . . in winning

approval for projects or deals in Colton.”

The same day, a Daily Pilot headline reads, “Schools eager for

$2-million donation.” The article explains Segerstrom family “would

donate . . . [to schools] . . . if the city approves its development deal

for Home Ranch.”

The first deal involves alleged criminal activity, and the second deal

is a “donation.” No wonder our youth are confused about value systems

today.

No wonder that they say everything is relative, and that one person’s

truth is just as acceptable or valid as another’s.

Not in my book, either, thank you very much. A bribe is a bribe, no

matter how, where, to whom or why you offer the money.

FLO MARTIN

Costa Mesa

I am puzzled by the strong opposition to the Home Ranch development by

some people within the Costa Mesa community. The core consensus of the

opposition seems to be the idea that the Segerstrom gift of $2 million to

benefit the schools is a bribe to win over the community. Is there

something wrong with that?

The naivete that this is a new concept baffles me. In the business and

political world, nothing would ever get accomplished if it were not for

the custom of scratching each other’s backs. How is this generous gift to

our ailing schools any different from the tobacco companies giving their

financial resources to aid communities in need? Needless to say, most of

us would not agree with the motive behind the assistance, but people do

benefit just the same.

I think that we as a community should not look a gift horse in the

mouth and should grab this $2-million carrot dangling in front of our

noses and run with it. The benefit greatly outweighs any small

inconvenience that may occur. I am very excited at the prospect of growth

and the advantages that the Home Ranch project will bring to Costa Mesa.

MAXINE M. MACHA

Costa Mesa

In 1986, the Costa Mesa political field and election race hinged on

how candidates, such as Joe Erickson, Orv Amburgey, Pilot pen master

Peter Buffa, and yours truly, all stood regarding Home Ranch No. 1. Now,

which is really Home Ranch No. 3 -- we will only say that Home Ranch No.

2 was lucky to have Roe vs. Wade to support its disappearance -- this

Home Ranch was smartly presented well after election days so as to avoid

the ‘86-type massacre.

For this project to pass the test, let us all be real. It comes down

to a swing vote on the council with Robinson and Steel saying no. Who

will cast the key vote and who cares? Either way, the Segerstroms own

this land, folks. It is their property.

BRIAN THERIOT

Costa Mesa