Marketplace: Model of Superb Swap Meet

Reading that the Orange County Marketplace vendors want to take over the swap meet (“Swap Meet Vendors Want to Take Over,” March 7) reminded me of inmates wanting to take over the institution--and the results will be the same.

Right now, the swap meet is the envy of the world. It is spotlessly clean. The merchandise is new and of excellent value. The food is delicious and priced right. The vendors’ spaces are neat and interesting. Everything is done to make it an entertaining and enjoyable experience.

I remember when that was not so and have to assume that the removal of unkempt spaces and shoddy merchandise and replacing them with good products and caring vendors was not an accident.

As a retired marketing executive, I can attest to the fact that the Orange County Marketplace is a superbly crafted and operated weekly event, and I hope that the officials who hold leasing control do not let a few obviously disgruntled vendors remove what is the most capably managed operation we have ever had.

IRVING X. BURG, Corona del Mar