Newport Beach more welcoming than Bell says...

Newport Beach more welcoming than Bell says

As a longtime resident of Newport Beach, I would like to comment

on Joseph N. Bell’s indictment of our community (excepting himself)

for being racist and bigoted, based upon the testimony of his new

friend, Jess Craig. In their interview with Bell, Craig and his wife

could not cite one specific word or act that was racist, yet they

feel that the residents of this city practice racism and intolerance

with certain looks or glances that the Craigs interpret as snubs.

Maybe the Craigs are just a little hypersensitive.

I find that the people of this fine city are friendly and open and

embracing of all people that live here and visit here (particularly

in the restaurants, which are so wonderful that we all have to wait

at times). My neighbors, friends, the merchants and business people

that make up this community are educated, sophisticated people; they

are successful and extraordinarily generous to those less fortunate.

They do have a clue about the world, and unlike Craig and Bell, are

just not that interested in skin color.

But Bell and Craig are so very confident of their own moral

superiority that they desire to “enlighten” the rest of us,

especially that mean old Dick Nichols, on how to be good people, like

them. Perhaps when Craig is in charge of the new human relations

committee, he plans to arrange for mandatory field trips sending

busloads of us mindless Newport Beach residents to visit the Museum

of Tolerance, accompanied by lectures by Bell on the way to and from.

What a breathtaking level of condescension (and intolerance) is

displayed by these two individuals who are, not coincidentally,

members of the academic community.

SUSAN BRADBURY

Newport Beach

Call the issue surrounding Fairview Park even

Here we go again with those evil homeowners on Swan Drive.

But the real story goes a lot deeper. In 1985 the city of Costa

Mesa spent millions of dollars of this city’s taxpayers money to stop

the county from over developing Fairview Park. But every year since

then, there has been some City Council members that thought they

could make a name for themselves by over developing our “passive

park,” which is next to the Talbert Nature Preserve. The city has

spent millions on developing a plan to pave over our Fairview

treasure. But they forgot two things, the Burrow Owl and Vernal

Pools. They have no approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

to do anything. Ironically, I find the people who want to count the

field mice on Henry Segerstom’s property, are the same people

supporting paving over Fairview Park.

Yes, it has been the people along Swan Drive that have

consistently been there fighting against over development. For their

efforts we are going to get into petty arguments on a average of a

four foot encroachments into the park. The city is going to spend ten

of thousands of dollars to cut down tomato plants and move fences six

inches. But it gets worse, once the city takes this property back

they will be required to maintain this property as a fire break and

control the dust.

My suggestion is, if our neighbors along Swan Dive will maintain

the fire break, we call the whole thing even. I look forward to the

City Council leadership uniting the city behind our great treasure

and ending all of the petty fights among the special interest groups.

JAMES JONES

Costa Mesa

It’s important to find balance in competitive sports

I read today’s article and had to write and share my opinion, not

only as the Costa Mesa American Little League president, but also as

the parent of four children (Thinking Allowed, “No competition for

competitive sports,” Monday). While I agree that non-competition can

lead to lackadaisical playing, there has to be an appropriate balance

between competition and playing “just for fun.” The main reason

non-competitive leagues came onto the scene is because the adults

running the competitive leagues couldn’t find that balance. Even

winning teams weren’t fun anymore and children and parents were

turned off by the pressure and attitudes.

In Little League, we try to create a place for all children to

play and learn about baseball. The Major division and All-Star teams

are available for the more talented players, but every child is

welcome (regardless of ability or experience) and placed on a team.

In a country where physical fitness is a major problem not only for

adults but now also our children, Little League’s all-inclusive

policy is important. As a parent, I want my children to find a sport

(or two or three) that they enjoy. I want them to be able to play

into adulthood so that physical activity is a part of their life,

even if they never excel at athletics.

I’m not advocating doing away with Varsity or All-Star teams, but

there should always be quality programs available for any child who

wants to play where the competitive attitude is appropriate for the

age and skill level of the player. Little League is one of those

programs. In the Little League Pledge, which our players recite

before every game, each player pledges to “play fair and strive to

win, but win or lose, I will always do my best.” One player’s best

may be a home run and another’s may be a ground out to the pitcher.

Each of these players deserves a chance to play ball and be a part of

a team. Our board of directors is committed to providing a quality

program to all of the children who want to participate.

AMY STEPHENS

Costa Mesa American Little League