Trabuco Canyon Development Flap

* On Oct. 22, I was present at the Board of Supervisors meeting deciding the fate of the Saddleback Meadows Project in Trabuco Canyon.

As a resident of Portola Hills, across the street from the proposed project, I was pleased with the decision of the supervisors to reject the 318-home project.

At this meeting, Supervisor Don Saltarelli made a recommendation that nothing be built on that property between the two monasteries and that the county try and purchase the property and connect it with O’Neill park. Supervisor Roger Stanton agreed.

I hope Trabuco Canyon [residents] contact their supervisor and push for the county to try and purchase this land so we can keep beautiful, pristine open space.

ANGELA ZARSKI

Trabuco Canyon

* I am furious over your Oct. 18 article “Anti-Project Lobbyist Suggests Donations to Silva.” As a longtime canyon community activist and opponent of the proposed Trabuco Canyon development in question, I resent being pulled into political muck by the anti-development “advocacy” actions of lobbyist VerLyn Jensen. Two hundred bucks and a note to vote against the development in an envelope with [Supervisor Jim] Silva’s name on it makes my stomach turn. It is absolutely disgusting.

For 25 years, canyon residents have fought hard to retain the integrity of this little corner of the county. And despite our wins and losses, we always fought fair and square with head and heart. Not only have we never had money to pay lobbyists or throw at politicians, but also we have, by design, always taken the moral high ground by telling the truth and refusing to get into the contributing game.

To make matters worse, your Oct. 18 editorial, “Steiner Should Sit This One Out,” advises that Steiner should not vote on the project due to the clear presence of conflict--again due to donations and influence. Here you are correct.

The real tragedy here is that special interest influence has swept aside discussion of the issues surrounding the development in question, Saddleback Meadows. As your recent five-part series on the canyons underscored, the fights here are bitter because so much is at stake--so much to lose.

SHERRY LEE MEDDICK

Silverado

* Doesn’t anyone take responsibility anymore? The Oct. 23 article, “Frustrated Board Spikes Trabuco Project,” explains that Supervisor Jim Silva, “wound up in the position of taking campaign funds from both the pro- and anti- development factions” and excused himself from voting to “eliminate any perception of conflict.”

Silva did not wind up in that position. Rather, he accepted campaign donations from both sides, placing himself in a compromising position. Most working Orange County residents do not have the option of excusing themselves from hard decisions at work, and neither should an elected official.

Did it ever occur to Silva to decline a donation, knowing that it might lead to a conflict of interest? No! Instead, he takes the money and decides to do nothing! Silva was not elected to do nothing! Silva has let down the Orange County voters by not doing the job he is paid to do.

Haven’t we learned that doing nothing leads to trouble, specifically the bankruptcy debacles?

ANNE PAULEY

Newport Beach