Mailbag: As night follows day, so violence follows Trump rallies

Please help me understand the reasoning behind the actions (or nonactions) of the Huntington Beach police. In the article on March 25, the Daily Pilot reported that organizers of “The Make America Great Again” march scheduled for the next day were expecting 3,000 marchers at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Despite the fact that officials of the O.C. Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa had refused the marchers that venue, due to “public safety concerns,” because a previous pro-Trump rally there last summer had erupted in violence, the state parks police were to have only three dozen officers “monitoring” the march and “collaborating” with the Huntington Beach police on March 26. I say “only” because of the anticipated numbers of marchers and the length of the march. The H.B. police were to provide “support if conflict arises.”

Well, as night follows day, so violence follows pro-Trump rallies. It was no surprise to this reader that “conflict” did arise on March 26, according to reports in both the Daily Pilot and the Los Angeles Times. Evidently both marchers and protesters had come prepared for conflict: protesters with pepper spray and marchers with brass knuckles.

Although turnout was significantly less than expected, and at least some of the merely 30 “counter-protesters” were nonviolent, and despite the report that “Huntington Beach and parks officials said they had been prepared for any violence ... “ there was indeed violence. A “counter-protester” who had reportedly used pepper spray was tackled, punched and kicked by marchers — and found refuge of sorts by running to the California Highway Patrol officers as marchers pursued him, having hit him repeatedly with “a flag that read, ‘Trump, Make America Great Again.’” (The irony of this is lost on no one.)

The counter-protester was among those arrested. None of the marchers were reported to have been arrested. I understand and support free speech. I also condemn violence, no matter which “side” instigates and then “responds” to it. What I do not understand is the passivity of the state and city police once this violence erupted.

Brad DeFord

Huntington Beach

Trump opponents are the ones to fear

In response to the letter writer who felt the coverage of the Donald Trump rally fell short (April 2), and went on to note “a Trump supporter with a ‘gleam in his eye’ wearing brass knuckles.” Obviously, brass knuckles are not something anyone should be wearing, so let’s make that clear. I have no comment about her perceived gleam-in-his-eye comment. I wonder if the letter writer has watched, read, paid any attention to the countless riots by anti-Trump supporters? It has been a constant stream of brutality by anti-Trump supporters, so perhaps people are in fear of being shot, punched and spit at have had enough. The writer is right in one respect: The coverage has been inadequate, except toward Trump supporters, not the other way around.

Juli Hayden

Newport Beach

Legal settlement costly to Newport taxpayers

A recent settlement by the city (taxpayers) paying over $202,000 to resident Kent Moore’s lawyer is appalling. His case involved seeking public documents regarding alleged misdeeds during a trip sponsored by the Newport Beach Sister City Assn. and minor children in 2010 to Antibes, France. Moore was frustrated at every turn. At one point the city claimed they couldn’t find the records due to migration to the Taj Mahal from the old city hall site.

The dog-ate-my-homework excuse didn’t satisfy Moore. He got fed up and rightfully hired a lawyer. The city played cat-and-mouse, forcing Moore’s lawyer to file a lawsuit. The city should have produced the documents years ago instead of letting the meter run. I credit the current council with stopping the clock and cutting our losses. Taxpayers should demand our $347,000-per-year City Manager Dave Kiff and $321,000-per-year City Attorney Aaron Harp pay the $202,000 settlement.

Bob McCaffrey

Volunteer Chairman, Residents for Reform

Balboa Island

Ruling will delay Banning Ranch restoration

Re. “Preservationists celebrate state Supreme Court ruling that Newport Beach improperly approved Banning Ranch project,” (March 31): It’s front-page news the state Supreme Court ruled to curtail development of the land known as Banning Ranch and let it remain “as is.” But is this really a win for the preservationists? What, exactly, is being “preserved?” From the photograph in the newspaper, we see a hodgepodge of oil field activity with various oil-drilling equipment and numerous rusty tanks and pipes.

I’m not sure what the “Save Banning Ranch” crowd is trying to “save.” Do they want to “save” the oil field operation? I don’t think so. But by “saving” the plot of land known as Banning Ranch, that is exactly what they have done. Or what the state Supreme Court is ruling.

Nowhere does anyone offer the suggestion to “save” the land in question by removing all oil field operation equipment and return the land to its natural state. It seems the work has only just begun for the Save Banning Ranch preservationists.

And if the long-range plans are to return the land to its original condition of natural coastal sage and brush, who is going to pay for this? Do the preservationists know the land and the dirt are contaminated from decades of oil field activity? How do you clean contaminated soil? The usual method is to dig up the bad dirt and replace it with good dirt. Not a cheap process.

Where is the money going to come from to save and preserve Banning Ranch? Probably developers. By having “preservationists” thinking they have won some kind of victory with this latest court decision is only going to delay the restoration of Banning Ranch and making it available for the use and enjoyment of the general public.

Rob Macfarlane

Newport Beach

NMUSD parent fights for public access

Erica Roberts started out in the Newport-Mesa saga in May like one of those sweet puppies, a little naive but so well intentioned, and now is considered by the NMUSD as a sweet but dangerously wiser dog.

The issue was Swun Math, and now is many issues. For those of you who might not know about Swun; it is a multi- million-dollar math program full of errors and not on the state adoption list. It can best be described as a monumental failure in Newport-Mesa.

Roberts has attended no fewer than 20 board meetings, 15 or so meetings with board members and some administrators, has made six-to-seven public requests for information, and has spent months of research on issues. To be clear, she has not done this work, which includes multiple letters and emails to the district, trustees, meetings and even sending videos, for herself and her four children alone. She has done it for the rest of the students in this district.

All of us who have ever requested information from NMUSD are familiar with the convoluted responses which Roberts has encountered constantly. The similarities to Washington are undeniable: the confusion, the lack of transparency, the dismissiveness. NMUSD, don’t be Washington.

Sandy Asper

Newport Beach

Deer made quite a sight in Laguna Beach

Re. “Deer walk the golf course grounds at the Ranch at Laguna Beach,” (March 29): It was just a group hike, no big deal, but I was terrified. What if i couldn’t keep up? What if I fell behind and no one noticed I was missing? Or worse, what if they did? What if they did notice me lagging behind, slowing everybody down?

It was with these thoughts crowding my mind that I set out to begin “the hike,” the personal challenge I had set for myself. And so it was the hike began. I was so intimidated, I barely spoke, instead channeling my insecurity into an intense focus and determination. So focused was I that I nearly missed the steps in a particularly daunting curve.

As the guide adroitly led me back to the group, I had a sense of calm, and it was then I knew I was going to make it, I was going to win this challenge! I was going to see the forest, not just the trees. And, yes, it was just a group hike, no big deal, but wow, what a wonderful way to spend a day!

Suzi Scallon

Laguna Beach

Another great Persian New Year celebration

It is a miracle that after six millennia NowRuz, the Persian new year, is still celebrated, stronger than ever, perhaps due to its natural and logical roots in the recurring refresh of Mother Nature during springtime. This was a genius way of honoring the change of seasons by our common ancestors.

Few events in our recorded history go back this long with so many celebrations conducted worldwide welcoming NowRuz and spring. This year, just like those previous years, the White House published a NowRuz message by the president. Among all these celebrations one of the most successful in California has been planned, managed and conducted by Iranian American Community (IAC-Group.org), an umbrella organization of 14 institutions, and this year was no exception.

The program started with the American national anthem by Nicole Ledina and the Iranian anthem by Khayam school children and Gilgamesh Arts. Opening by Shiva Farivar, festival director and welcoming by Neda Movahed, the M.C., was followed by Persian dances by Pajvak dance group and others, such as Pro-Dance Studio and the Ava Studio.

Throughout the program, D.J. Julius played music with elected officials at the city, county and state levels dancing on and off stage While Dr. Farrokh Shadab was busy awarding dollar bills to little kids as part of age-old tradition of NowRuz, Caspian Restaurant provided Persian food and complimentary tea, coffee and pastries.

Professor Touraj Daryaee, Maseeh chair in Persian Studies at UC Irvine, explained the meaning of NowRuz. After some more music and dances, event director Shiva Farivar and chairman Micheal Chegini invited elected officials on stage for this year’s proclamation by Irvine Mayor Don Wagner.

Among these community leaders were Assemblyman Steven Choi (R-Irvine) and O.C. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, a group from the California Zoroastrian Center led by Rostam Keyoumarsi, and singer Mima Goodarz played some traditional songs. The program ended with appreciation of many people involved. Like every previous year we wish you, your loved ones and all the people of the world, peace, joy, happiness and harmony.

K. E. Mehrfar

Newport Beach