Gotch and the Beach

You recently ran a letter to the editor (Aug. 5) which said that Mike Gotch was to be commended for his work on the Giant Dipper roller coaster, and how terrible it was that people are attacking him over his role in Belmont Park.

You also ran a big picture of the coaster with the letter, which I suppose is normal for a paper that supports Gotch.

The letter writer said that “maybe Mike’s decision was the best thing for Mission Beach.” How would she know? She wasn’t here.

The issue is not, and never has been, the coaster. The issue is that Gotch told us that he would not allow a shopping center on the beach and said he would protect Belmont Park.

He broke his word to the people. Gotch is just a politician who lied to his constituents.

That’s what we are mad about. As far as the coaster goes, its reopening is happening three years after Gotch left office. But the shopping center in the public park--developed by the husband of Mike Gotch’s fund-raiser--was done by Gotch while he was in office.

It is so typical of Gotch and his supporters: They always think they know better than the people. Maybe that’s why we don’t vote for Mike Gotch anymore.

MIKE HAINES

Pacific Beach