Letters to the Editor: With a little imagination we can work together on an improved plan for Mariner’s Mile

On behalf of the Coalition to Protect Mariner’s Mile, we would like to personally thank the planning commissioners and the dedicated staff for their efforts to take a step back and reevaluate the Mariner’s Mile Revitalization Plan.

Moving forward we need to look at all the plans in their entirety along Mariner’s Mile to make certain that they are compatible and, most importantly, responsible developments.

Unfortunately, the efforts to continue to widen Pacific Coast Highway, in our opinion, is the No. 1 obstacle that will continue to impede the progress regarding future projects, as a family friendly village and tourist destination is in direct conflict with a six-lane highway.

It simply defeats the purpose of the redevelopment. The expansion of PCH would also eradicate an enormous amount of private property along Mariner’s Mile. The city could be in litigation for years to come, at the taxpayer’s expense.

We have almost 2,000 people that include the property owners, local merchants and residents in the surrounding areas that have opposed this Revitalization Plan in its current state, as well as, the expansion of PCH.

There is a phenomenon called failure and imagination. These two can be crucial to success. While failure can help you understand where your true passion lies, and where you should focus your energy moving forward, imagination is what will allow you to empathize with other people, so you can use your influence to do good. Together, we need a vision and the power to imagine better for Mariner’s Mile.

Peggy V. Palmer

The Coalition to Protect Mariner’s Mile

Newport Beach

Thank you to firefighters, hospital workers

On a recent Sunday morning, I was engaged in my usual exercise routine when suddenly I became flush with heat and lost all balance. I clumsily dismounted from the stationary bike and crawled to the recliner, where I collapsed in sweat and exhaustion.

My wife descended the stairwell and became concerned at the sight of me. She phoned 911 after being advised by a tele-nurse. A crew of firefighters and paramedics quickly arrived. After several bio-measures, they determined that I should be transported to the emergency room. I was in no position to object.

I arrived at Hoag Hospital, where it was determined that I had suffered a stroke. After three days of hospitalization I was released with a list of prescriptions and doctors’ appointments.

Thankfully, I am on the fast-track to recovery, but would it have been possible without the skills and professionalism of the Huntington Beach Fire Department, and the high-quality medical services I received from the staff at Hoag Hospital? I doubt it.

For all of them, I am eternally grateful.

Ben Miles

Huntington Beach

Councilman’s view on property rights go too far

Newport Beach Councilman Scott Peotter likes to defend his support of high-rise development by saying he supports “property rights.” I also support property rights. However, I believe most residents would define property rights as the ability to develop your property in accordance with the General Plan and your permitted zoning.

Peotter clearly has a different interpretation of “property rights,” as demonstrated by his strong support of the 25-story Museum House condo tower which he voted to approve in December 2016. This site was donated specifically to the Orange County Museum of Art for use as a museum and was zoned only for “public institutional” use.

The property “right” associated with this parcel was for a low-rise, low impact building. In order to develop the high-rise Museum House, multiple changes to the development rights were required, including height and density increases. In other words, Mr. Peotter wanted to grant an entirely new set of “rights” to the property that had never existed before.

Susan Skinner

Newport Beach

Dogs make great protectors

My suggestion to the people of Fountain Valley who live next to the homeless camps next to the Santa Ana River is simple: Get a dog. A big dog, similar to a German shepherd. Make your backyard the dog’s new home. He will guard his new home with his life. And he will guard your home too.

Rob Macfarlane

Newport Beach

Trump supporters are living in another world

Forty-one percent of Americans support impeachment of a president who shows no respect for the law, shows no willingness to ever admit he might be wrong and who cannot even find it within himself to tell the truth, according to a Monmouth University poll. I suggest that people who voted for Donald Trump may have been mistaken at the time or simply unwilling to vote for his flawed opponent. But anyone who still believes that this man is somehow fit to hold the office is living in ultimate La-La-Land.

Lenard Davis

Newport Beach

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