Mailbag: Benefit of underground utilities is not the question

Re: “Commentary: Making homeowners pay to underground utilities is wrong,” (April 16).

There was never a debate about the pros and cons of underground utilities until commentary writer Portia Weiss decided to make this her pet project.

The petition cards were distributed to determine if the community was interested in gathering additional information and moving forward with a city-funded design, a budget and ultimately a vote.

The city does not need to take a neutral position. It knows that the undergrounding of utilities is the right thing to do and will serve the best interests of the community. However, knowing this could have a financial impact on homeowners, the city rightfully asked the residents to voice a position on the project.

Unfortunately, I agree that the wording of the petition card is confusing. This was pointed out at the onset, but we were assured that this was the verbiage required by the city’s legal team. To imply that this procedure is fracturing our community is an attempt to lay the blame on the city for a mythical, perceived wrongdoing. What is fracturing our community are the half-truths and scare tactics perpetrated by the opponents of this due process.

The steps taken were established by previous undergrounding efforts in the city. Several districts have successfully completed this work and moved forward and some have not.

The questions to be answered before making a decision are simple: How much does it cost? How can we pay for it. How will this project affect the budgeted alley work? These questions can be answered only by the city.

David Ballard

Newport Beach

*

Utility project is too costly for some

I concur with writer Portia Weiss that we in Assessment District 118 should not be liable for undergrounding utilities.

We have very little choice in our utilities, so why should we pay for something that the city and Southern California Edison, SoCal Gas, the cable companies and others want? We have no choice but to order and pay for their services.

No doubt many in District 118 can afford the $30,000, but many cannot. I think it only fair that if the city of Newport Beach wants to underground utilities, the work should be covered by our current taxes and the companies that provide the services.

Harry Barton

Newport Beach

*

Not a fan of drought-tolerant gardens?

To those people who do not like desert landscaping, I suggest they move to Boston and enjoy shoveling all that snow.

Joan Morrow

Costa Mesa