Rancho and Coto: Image and Reality

* I didn’t realize that I lived in a slum until your article Aug. 9 set out the differences between Rancho Santa Margarita and our “Beverly Hills” neighbor, Coto de Caza.

The mind-set of two residents quoted in this article tells the story: Julia Kikuchi, Coto de Caza, says, “Coto has higher standards. A lot of money lives here. I don’t feel as safe when I leave the gates.” Then Jack Wynn, Rancho Santa Margarita, says, “We wouldn’t want to throw stones at Coto. It’s just a different place. . . . There are fine people there.”

And fine people in Rancho too. I want to say I didn’t choose Rancho because I am poor, but because I wanted to live here. I considered Coto and decided against it. There are many of us here who made that choice.

Although we do not see a “shared future” as a “supercity,” we in Rancho welcome Coto residents to our stores, our theaters and restaurants. Also, our little lake here in Rancho is a great place to walk in the mornings and evenings.

Many Coto residents come here to do that. We can’t, however, come to their community. But maybe we don’t want to. That’s why we didn’t buy there.

HELEN HOWARD

Rancho Santa Margarita

* In Coto de Caza the residents “have the liberty to run stop signs all day long.” How nice for them.

I suggest that the people of Rancho Santa Margarita do their utmost to keep Coto de Caza’s influence out of their fine community.

DIANE JOHNSON

Mission Viejo