Memories of Reagan from the street

Deirdre Newman

Those who liked him, mostly raved about him. Those who didn’t, were

few and far between. On Friday, the day former President Ronald

Reagan was buried in Simi Valley after his death June 5, local people

did not search far for memories and reflections on the 40th

president’s legacy.

“I think he’s one of the best presidents we ever had,” said Ruben

O’Campo on Friday, as he ate ice cream outside Cold Stone Creamery at

the Costa Mesa Courtyards with his two granddaughters.

O’Campo, 65, said Reagan established a good relationship with his

native country of Mexico, and he especially appreciated Reagan giving

amnesty to illegal immigrants, which O’Campo benefited from at the

time.

“He did it the right way; not the way Bush is trying to do it

now,” O’Campo said.

Reagan also got kudos from Art Krzeminski, 69. Krzeminski served

in the military and said he appreciated Reagan’s respect for military

prowess.

“After [President] Jimmy Carter gutted the military, Ronald Reagan

brought it back up, brought the Soviet Union to its knees, got the

wall torn down, and now we’re a lot safer,” Krzeminski said.

Larry Weese, 59, praised Reagan as a great orator, administrator

and delegator. He said he didn’t think Reagan would have wanted so

much attention after his death.

“I think he would have just wanted to [have gone] to his ranch,”

Weese said.

Weese also lauded Reagan for his cordial negotiating skills.

“As [Sen.] John McCain said, ‘He’s the kind of president that

could call his opponent Tip O’Neill over for a cocktail and resolve

[issues] without a filibuster,’” Weese said.

Barbara Kiem, 57, said she admired Reagan, despite his flaws.

“I feel he did a lot for our country,” Kiem said. “But at the same

time, I haven’t forgotten about Iran-Contra.”

Others had less rosy views of Reagan, like Fred Lutz, 70. Lutz has

bitter feelings toward Reagan since Lutz’s brother was one of the

many air-traffic controllers fired by President Reagan when they went

on strike.

“They belonged to a union, and that was like not belonging at all,

because the union had no power,” Lutz said. “They were the least-paid

traffic controllers in the world. He promised they would be the best

paid before he was elected.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].