Mailbag: Letter writer misstated motel protesters’ positions

I was disappointed to read “Tear down Costa Mesa’s problem motels” by Jami Joanne Russell in the Nov. 7 Daily Pilot. I question the strength of the author’s position because of the heavy use of generalization and demonization to persuade the reader.

Russell’s position is weak because she erroneously implies that if the Motor Inn is torn down and replaced with new apartments, all the illegal activities that she describes will go away. Unfortunately, because the root problem hasn’t been addressed, these activities will likely just move to another location in Costa Mesa.

Most importantly, and contrary to the author’s mischaracterization, the protesters were not arguing to keep the motel; they wanted 20% of the new apartments to be for low income residents. They wanted this in exchange for the city allowing the developer a significant increase in the density of the new apartments.

The author generalizes about the protesters’ views on the safety of the living conditions at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn. Many people know that the living conditions are far from ideal but when it is all one can qualify for and afford for shelter, then that is the sacrifice that is made.

The letter goes on to generalize and demonize the residents of the Inn. It is implied that the residents are either criminals or irresponsible parents. Russell evidently didn’t see or believe the interviews of the residents of the Inn that were shown at the last City Council meeting. These interviews show that there are many good residents at the Inn who are neither criminals nor irresponsible parents.

The author’s last attempt at demonization is directed at the motivations of the protesters.

“These protesters seem to want Costa Mesa to be a cesspit of crime and debauchery,” she writes. “They don’t care about the residents of the Inn. They care about their warped political agenda.”

This is clearly a desperate attempt to get support for her weak position. The protesters’ real motivation is to get some permanent affordable and low-income housing for Costa Mesa residents.

Many residents want Costa Mesa to follow the example of the Alegre Apartments in Irvine. This is a complex of 104 units that offers permanent affordable housing. The Solaria development in Irvine is another example. Other cities like Lake Forest (Portola Center), Aliso Viejo (Vintage Aliso community) and Newport Beach (deciding on the use of $4.2 million in developers fees for affordable housing) are all addressing the issue of affordable housing.

Don’t be misinformed or distracted by letters like Russell’s, because now is the time for Costa Mesa to get serious about addressing the affordable-housing issue.

Charles Mooney

Costa Mesa

*

Better ways to scare coyotes

I have read all the news on the coyotes in Corona del Mar. First, for the man threatening to fire off a gun outside, I have one comment: that would be against the law and foolish. I live in Irvine, and we also have coyotes and have for years. The smart people here carry a noisemaker with them and, if at night, a flashlight. I have a compressed air container, which emits a hissing sound and scares them.

I am shocked at the level of panic I have heard. Basically, these are timid creatures that will run off if you just yell at them and wave your arms. You also have to be alert to your surroundings. They did the right thing in teaching hazing to the people at the town meeting. I hope the man stays in his house and locks away his gun.

Lana Scott

Irvine

*

JWA air traffic is affecting Laguna too

In 2011, I heard planes flying over Laguna Beach and researched the issue. I was told pilots/airlines decide at what point the planes turn and that if they do not go out as far over water to gain altitude, they save on fuel and time.

Hence, we hear them as they come back and gain altitude. I was told to call the airlines and complain. For years, parts of Newport Beach has taken the brunt of noise and has been working on changing this.

Our congressional representative is originally from Huntington Beach (initially some flights were going over Huntington Beach) and has his political base is Newport Beach — both areas do not want any flights or want to minimize flights over their cities. This seems to have resulted in more flights over Laguna Beach.

At that time, I went before the Laguna Beach City Council. Councilwoman Toni Iseman said that she would take this issue and pursue it. I understand she has made several visits to Washington, D.C., on the subject and a member of staff at City Hall periodically sends out a report on status of the situation, which so far has not changed anything.

Last year I saw an article in the Los Angeles Times about business groups in Orange County working together to change the hours at JWA, increase the number of flights and expand the geographic range of flights to increase tourism and business.

Guess who will win that issue with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and some of the same folks who wanted to create an international airport at what is now the Great Park working together?

Ganka Brown

Laguna Beach