Letter to the editor

I empathize with Newport’s coastal problems and would like to see the

city of Costa Mesa share in the responsibility of being a coastal

neighbor.

I currently reside on the bluffs in Costa Mesa, right next to the

Santa Ana River. Unfortunately, the close proximity of the ocean, while a

joy and a blessing, also means we must be that much more environmentally

conscious of how we conduct ourselves.

This brings me to the subject of street sweeping. While the city

provides weekly street sweeping, it does nothing to enforce the removal

of cars during the process. In fact, the only way to have cars removed

during the street sweeping times is to petition your street, try and get

a majority, and then ask the city for posted no-parking times. The

problem is, if, like on my street, the majority of owners permanently

store unused vehicles curbside, you can’t get a majority on the petition.

The result is all the trash, leaves and debris are never properly swept

and end up in the storm drains.

I have called the traffic control office numerous times on these

vehicles, some of which have never moved in the two years I have lived

here, and code observances have been lackadaisical at best.

So every Tuesday, I watch as the city throws money down the drain and

the street sweeper drives straight down the middle of the street leaving

mounds of debris untouched in the gutters.

Today, I look out at the rain falling and, while my streets are

finally being cleaned, I worry where all this trash and hazardous

household residue is washing off to. I wish the Costa Mesa City Council

cared more about the environment than possibly inconveniencing some

uncaring residents who continue to store vehicles illegally on city

streets.

Our bad habits are washing into your neighborhoods and onto our

beaches. I apologize for my neighbors and City Council, who allow it to

continue.

GREG RIDGE

Costa Mesa