Shakespeare in Garden Grove

I would like to thank your paper for its editorial (June 26) regarding the Grove Shakespeare Festival.

Garden Grove would do well to heed its legal counsel. The city has a contractual obligation to the festival, and any civil damages arising from breaking this obligation could be much more costly than funding the festival. The festival has given the city national stature and provides encouragement for investment by outside interests.

I believe the opposition to government funding of the festival by Councilman Robert F. Dinsen and the patronizing/insulting characterization of city residents by Councilman Raymond T. Littrell to be counterproductive. What has been set up appears as a tug of war between those promoting expansion of the city’s horizons and those who would be more comfortable with things as they were.

Littrell’s characterization of the residents of Garden Grove as unsophisticated is insulting, even if true. The issue of funding an expansion of the police force is a false issue. The proposed budget would fund no more than 1 policemen for one year. Yet Littrell repeats his call to cancel funding for the festival, knowing this.

PETER KENYON

Anaheim