Preschool Serves a Crucial Need

* I am appalled and disgusted after reading about the poor treatment of Regina Markwardt, executive director and founder of the Special Children’s Connection preschool in Fountain Valley by Judge Mary Ericcsen and Rossier Properties (Aug. 21).

Does Judge Ericcsen realize what a wonderful service to humanity and benefit to our community at large this preschool performs?

I realize there have been, and are, problems with rent, but this stems from the school running on grants ($49,000 is currently approved, I am told, and ready to be received--so the money is coming) as well as minimal child-care fees to the parents and foster parents.

Many of these parents are in transition; that means they are in shelters and working or looking for work. Welfare-to-work is at work here; what is to happen to all these children if the preschool closes? What happens to the parents on welfare who are working and have to quit because they have no place in their very small budgets to pay for leaving their children?

This preschool is maintained very well. It is a wonderful environment for the children; it is run by people who care about people and social justice.

Also, what is wrong with Rossier Properties? What is behind their not accepting $15,000 of $18,000 due, knowing full well that the remainder was to come very shortly?

Ericcsen should visit the property so she can realize what a service to humanity is being performed here. I also wish Rossier Properties would reconsider and allow the Special Children’s Connection to remain at the site they fit so well and which so beautifully fills the needs of these special children of God.

LYNETTE HANSEN

Fountain Valley