Mailbag: Attacks on Monahan are unfair
Re: “Costa Mesa police supporters plan rally on same day as ‘wake’”: Columnist Barbara Venezia seems to think Councilman Gary Monahan should know more about Jay Pinson than the police.
I met Pinson once at the councilman’s business, Skosh Monahan’s. Neither Monahan nor I knew the guy was wanted. Neither did the police during the several years he lived and ran a business in Costa Mesa.
That Monahan stood by his friend, neighbor and fellow businessman is actually commendable, in my book. Maybe Venezia puts political correctness over her friends, but others still have values. This guy was a friend to many at the bar, including Monahan.
Why shouldn’t the guy’s friends and family celebrate the good part of his life? Why shouldn’t Monahan assist with raising funds for his family? Why wouldn’t he hold the event at his bar, where the guy had friends and was a regular?
I am sure the police who shot this man feel bad for him and his family. I wonder why Venezia can’t have a little compassion.
John Gleason
Costa Mesa
Editor’s note: Monahan canceled the planned wake for Pinson on Monday but is still collecting funds for Pinson’s girlfriend and her son.
*
It’s time to publicly honor police officers
At what point are the actions of the Costa Mesa city councilmen deemed so ludicrous as to be detrimental to residents? Costa Mesa Police Department officers attempted to arrest a suspect on an out-of-state warrant for an alleged sexual act against a child. This suspect was armed and killed by police.
Councilman Gary Monahan, an open antagonist toward our Police Department, had scheduled, at his place of business, an Irish wake to celebrate the life of a man who may have attempted to kill our officers. Monahan stated he knew the suspect and thought he was a nice guy and a friend.
Jan. 9 was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The city did nothing publicy to show appreciation to officers who put their lives on the line daily. City CEO Tom Hatch indicated he sent a goody basket to the Police Department and then advised the City Council he had added their names to the basket.
How about public recognition and honoring the whole department for its dedication in tough times?
It was clear that our police officers needed some recognition, a rally of appreciation to say thank you. This rally was to be held at the same time and place as the wake.
Monahan wisely decided to cancel the wake and advised it would be held at a later date, at a church location. Our rally was given momentum by Barbara Venezia’s column, and the support was incredible. We need this rally; the officers need to know they are appreciated.
The Jan. 28 rally was canceled. Instead, “An Appreciation Rally for CMPD and CMFD” is being rescheduled for in front of City Hall and the Police Department at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 3.
Mary Spadoni
Costa Mesa
*
Like columnist says, vaccinate your children
Re: “Apodaca: Educated parents should know better and vaccinate,” (Jan. 25).
This was refreshing. I want to thank Patrice Apodaca for being the voice of reason and reaching out to the masses to have their children vaccinated. Perhaps the parents who are against these modern-day miracles should go visit countries that do not vaccinate. It would be nothing less than eye-opening.
Tina Pavone
Irvine
*
City must pay down pension debt
I’ve heard a lot of talk about Costa Mesa’s underfunded pension liabilities in the last couple of years. And, without a doubt, there is need for reform.
So why is there no movement from the city to pay down the underfunded liability? A hand-picked mayor’s committee is supposed to study the issue, but so far, nothing.
Newport Beach’s City Council, by contrast, has opted to pay down the unfunded pension liability in 20 years instead of 30. This will save that city millions of dollars in interest charges that can be used for city services, benefiting generations to come. Costa Mesa’s City Council — while talking tough about pension reform — is simply kicking the can down the road.
I am starting to look at this issue in a different way. I don’t really think Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer actually cares if it is paid down at all.
Righeimer, his wife and Mayor Steve Mensinger personally sued the police association, eliminating any ability he had to negotiate any type of reform. It isn’t important for them to solve the problem.
His use of the underfunded liability is much more valuable to him as a weapon to undermine the Police Department. So don’t expect to see Righeimer to announce a plan to pay down the unfunded pension liability or dismiss his lawsuit anytime soon.
Terri Fuqua
Costa Mesa
*
Why persist with lawsuit against police union?
Why do Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and Mayor Steve Mensinger continue their lawsuit against the Costa Mesa Police Assn.?
Our city has not been able to hire lateral transfers or enough new recruits to replace the officers who have retired or otherwise left the department. With a police department staffed well below full staffing levels, residents have suffered from decreased police patrols in our neighborhoods and with increased residential burglaries and decreased DUI patrols and arrests.
The Costa Mesa Police Assn. has not been charged or linked to the action of the two private investigators who are accused of using a GPS device to track Mensinger and calling in a false report of driving under the influence regarding Righeimer. Prosecutors say they have found no evidence that the police union knew of any illegal activity beforehand.
Yet Righeimer and Mensinger continue to sue the Costa Mesa Police Assn. and bring a real hardship upon our city.
These elected officials are willing to sacrifice the needs of the community for their well-being. They are embarrassing our city and cannot be considered leaders.
Margaret Mooney
Costa Mesa
*
Smoke of a different origin
So, if I am sitting around a fire ring smoking will I get a ticket?
John Wells
Newport Beach
Editor’s note: Smoking is illegal on the city beach in Newport Beach and at all state-owned beaches.
*
Sculptures an example of waste
Re. “Mailbag: Bunny issue indicative of oversight problem” (Jan. 25):
The letter by Laura Curren detailing the bigger issue regarding the Newport Beach Civic Center bunny sculptures could not have been written any better. The banter back and forth by some in our community regarding the “whimsy” of these bunnies only makes me see a complete disregard for how our tax money is being spent.
This issue goes far beyond the ridiculous amount of money and the lack of accountability of those who represented Newport Beach on our City Council. The lack of oversight on this project is the most disturbing of all.
The fact that the study session stated, “The rabbits were included in the landscape package, and we were not aware of the line-item cost” is extremely troubling. I would have expected someone to have known what was being spent on each item. It makes one wonder what other line-item costs were missed.
I have always associated the beach, water sports, surfing, sailing, paddling boarding, the Back Bay, the trails and the beauty of our community as representative of Newport, not bunnies and whatever other “sculptures” we now have gracing the grounds of the Civic Center.
Juli Hayden
Newport Beach
*
A bit of bunny whimsy
The bunnies are a big gift of happiness. I know because they told me.
Al Wonders
Newport Beach
*
Give the hares a rest
I think it’s time we put to rest the great bunny crisis and move on. It’s done.
I think even the former City Hall spenders have gotten the picture that it’s time the bunnies get a rest. Hopefully sounder minds will prevail in the future, and such frivolous expenses won’t occur again.
It certainly makes no sense to try to move the rabbits to another hutch, since this would result in more needless expense. Let’s just leave these hares to live out their days and serve, perhaps, as a source of entertainment for visitors.
Now the bridge nearby? That’s a discussion for another time.
Pete Rabbitt
Newport Beach
*
About that dog sculpture ...
Re. “Mailbag: The bunnies are nothing compared to the OCMA dog statue,” (Jan. 19):
Writer Bill Ficker is right on in his letter regarding the bunnies and the dog. Especially the dog sculpture depicted as urinating on the OCMA building. It is truly amazing what some people will endorse in the name of “art.”
Preston Zillgitt
Corona del Mar
*
Remember what they said about the Eiffel Tower
Leave the bunnies alone. I believe the former Newport Beach City Council wasted our taxpayer money in buying bunny statues at City Hall, but let’s not throw good money after what many people consider bad money.
Instead let’s broaden our perspective and remember that in 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was built for the World’s Fair, it was viewed as obscene and offensive to many artists and intellectuals of the time. They demanded that it be torn down and removed from Paris. Now it is viewed as a global, cultural icon.
Let’s give the bunnies a chance. Children love them. Many view them as tourist attractions, and maybe some day they will become icons of Newport Beach.
Phil Stevens
Newport Beach