County Sign Idea Draws Criticism

* Re “Planned Tower: Icon or Eyesore? You Judge,” July 27:

That sign announcing Orange County is a joke, isn’t it?

If not, we will surely be the laughingstock of the nation when, or if, these monstrosities are erected.

I can’t really believe the Orange County Business Council would think of putting up the ridiculous sign or signs. It is so inappropriate.

Maybe it’s something Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm would do, but not the county. The sign would be an eyesore and would go against most of the city ordinances that restrict height.

The federal funds would be better used to scatter wildflowers on the Brea hills that commuters and newcomers both could admire as they enter the county.

WILLIAM B. ROGERS

Mission Viejo

* While the artist’s rendition of the proposed “welcome to Orange County” tower appears to me to be more of an eyesore than icon, what actually caught my eye was the $300,000 price tag.

I am continually amazed how Orange County spends its money. My company supplies firefighting aircraft to fire agencies of Southern California. Over the past several years, we have made several attempts to secure a contract with the Orange County Fire Authority, but we are told they lack the funds for an initial attack contract.

For the past 2 1/2 years, our big, red, water-scooping airplane sits idle during Orange County fires at John Wayne airport.

The plane is loaded with 1,000 gallons (three times the capacity of the OCFA helicopter), ready to be airborne on Orange County fires in two minutes.

We have overflown Orange County about 30 times responding to fires in Riverside and San Diego counties, and have saved many homes while dropping several hundred thousand gallons of water and fire suppressants for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Our service is important and effective. Had we been contracted during the Laguna fires, we would have been on the scene at the same time as the first engine company in Laguna Canyon. Dropping water just ahead of the rapidly spreading fire, and working with the fire crew and their hand lines, it is evident that we would have stopped this multimillion-dollar fire before it spread out of control . . . all for the cost of one home or the proposed welcome tower.

JOHN WELLS

Aliso Viejo