Layman’s Opinion Not Infectious

* Re: “If It’s Posted, Is the Ocean Safe?” (Sept. 3):

The deputy city manager of Newport Beach, Dave Kiff, must have skipped Logic 101 in college. “The water may be quite safe for humans to swim in but can still show high bacteria counts.”

Wow! Tell us, Dave, why are so many water enthusiasts complaining of chronic eye, ear, nose and throat infections? Our immune systems have been pushed beyond their limits. Moreover, two groups are disproportionately affected: the ignorant and unknowing--like children and the non-English-speaking tourists. The lifeguards are forced to be the guinea pigs for pollution.

Any fool knows that health problems can be a result of cumulative effects and may take months or years to appear. Our creeks and streams, basically toxic soup conveyors, have no posted warnings, yet they traverse public parks all over Orange County.

SCOTT WOODYARD

Member of Laguna Beach Surfrider

Laguna Beach

* Deputy city manager of Newport Beach, meet the Red Queen of Alice in Wonderland. No, Mr. Kiff, bacteria don’t close beaches, people close beaches. To be more specific, blame the doctors at the county health department because they post and close. Viral testing is expensive, but not as uncertain as you are leading your residents and visitors to believe.

The next time we want to know if the water is OK, can we call you? Why bother physicians when county officials have all the answers? The citizens of Orange County understand what these public officials deny--we need our streams and ocean cleaned up now!

B.C. MORRIS-SMITH

President, Laguna Beach Surfrider

Laguna Beach