MAILBAG:

Now that it’s a priority to get unincorporated areas off the books of Orange County, we have responsible people favoring annexation of the Newport Beach Golf Course into the city of Newport Beach (“Annexation put back on the table,” Dec. 12). This will unite pieces of Santa Ana Heights, already part of Newport Beach.

Perhaps the most creative annexation could be splitting up John Wayne Airport into three pieces and giving them Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine in proportion to each city’s frontage at that county island.

Then the cities most damaged by the airplanes could finally decide what to do about it. It makes no sense to allow the county to harm our cities with a polluting airport in the middle of an urban area.

DONALD NYRE

Newport Beach

Why not replace all board members?

Regarding your editorial suggesting that a new liaison is needed for the Costa Mesa Senior Center board (“Perhaps a new liaison is needed,” Dec. 14), I would suggest instead that the center needs a whole new board. You should be asking what are the qualifications for board members; how long people have served on the board (some have been there more than 10 years); and how long is the term of service?

The latest board members were appointed at the request of Aviva Goelman, director of the center. Since she serves at the pleasure of the board, this seems like hiring one’s own boss. Further, neither candidate had applied for the positions in a manner and by the deadline that was indicated on the city’s website describing the deadline, etc. when the openings were advertised in your paper. They were appointed because Goelman requested their appointments at the City Council meeting that they didn’t attend and at which the council was to vote on those who had submitted their applications correctly and according to city directives. They also didn’t provide the material requested by the city on its website by the time required to be considered for those positions.

Rather than criticizing Councilwoman Wendy Leece, you ought to be supporting her for trying to provide oversight concerning the taxpayer’s money. You comment that the council should receive regular reports. This is true, but since no reports have been provided, the information Leece is requesting is just information the center should have reported on a regular basis and shouldn’t have required much effort on the part of the staff. Also what she is requesting should be available for all.

The only reason her actions have been “counterproductive,” to use your word, is that the center staff has not been cooperative. I can count numerous people who have simply quit attending functions for the same reason. The center should be able to provide statistics on the number of people who have participated in programs and functions over a period of time. If attendance and membership is falling off, then measures need to be implemented to improve performance.

Your suggestions that the center conduct a survey is quite good. They should start with one provided by the National Council on Aging. In fact, the center should have done this long ago.

AGNES DUBBERLY