Specter of an Anti-Business Movement

Last Monday, the Costa Mesa City Council unanimously rejected the proposal of the C. J. Segerstrom Co. to develop a large parcel of property to the north of the 405 Freeway and bounded by Harbor and Fairview. I attended that meeting and was appalled by the nature of the arguments made in opposition to the “One South Coast Place” project.

Tentatively, I have concluded that Costa Mesa is in jeopardy of becoming the next Berkeley or People’s Republic of Santa Monica.

Most of the arguments opposing the project were grounded in envy and anti-business rhetoric. For example: “Segerstrom already has enough money; this project is just a monument to Mr. Segerstrom; Segerstrom is only doing this to make more money.” The fact that the project plans call for 75% open space, a day-care center, a museum and art gallery was even the basis for attack. It was argued that Segerstrom should just build those amenities and forgo the office building which makes the plan economically feasible.

I was especially offended by the prevalent attitude that Costa Mesa is threatened by people who might come to work or live here (as contrasted to those hardy pioneers who arrived a year or two before). This no-growth, anti-people attitude is the sort of thing that leads to serious violations of personal liberties and economic decline.

A good many citizens seem to be operating on the principle of: “I’ve got mine, now pull of the drawbridge.” It will be interesting to see if the opponents of One South Coast Place will support any scaled-down version of the project.

I hope that most Costa Mesa residents still believe in the American tradition of respect for people who have worked hard and honestly earned their success. I hope that being successful does not mean your rights can be trampled with impunity by your neighbors and a City Council whose analysis of the issues consists only of prospectively counting the votes at the next election.

SHARON A. AYRES

Costa Mesa