Groves and Open Space Needed for O.C.’s Future

Re “A Vanishing County Symbol,” Orange County editorial, May 6:

Imagine Philadelphia without the Liberty Bell, imagine D.C. sans the Washington Monument. Now imagine Orange County absent a single orange grove. Although this scenario is highly unlikely elsewhere, it is a near certainty in Orange County as our county is being aggressively paved over.

Since it is unfair to preserve this dying symbol for our county at the expense of its property owner, it is only reasonable for either the city of Anaheim or the county to purchase this grove for posterity.

Without orange groves left standing, future generations may well wonder what we were smoking when we chose this name for our homestead.

John T. Chiu

Newport Beach

Re “Fullerton Group Will Oppose Development of Coyote Hills,” May 6:

Every time I read the words or listen to the speeches of some public servant on the subject of open space in urban areas or wilderness areas, I cringe.

A new, hopeful band of citizens, the Friends of Coyote Hills, realizing what a jewel this is, is trying to raise public awareness of the necessity of preserving this land as a wilderness park, set amid endless tracts of homes.

It would provide the chance for harried people to rest, recreate and walk or hike. The value of this, in dollar and cents for us, is incalculable. John Muir’s words, over a hundred years ago on the value of wilderness to the human spirit, have even more meaning for us today.

Fullerton Mayor F. Richard Jones was quoted as saying essentially that saving these 300 acres are a lost cause and that the best use of this land is for more homes anyway. This is a premature statement. We citizens of Fullerton with perhaps the help of federal and state government and the landowner, Chevron Oil Co., have the opportunity to buy this land and keep it wild. If we do this, Fullerton will thank us for our foresight.

Join us, Mayor Jones, and a hundred years from now our descendants will thank us.

Bernard Lipman

Fullerton

The mayor of Fullerton says that he’s all for housing, because the city needs a sound economic base by bringing in tax dollars from residential development.

The city’s own study shows that the costs and benefits are about the same, so the city will break even. That does not seem to translate into tax dollars for the city’s budget. On the contrary, the loss of open space amenities in the last natural environment in Fullerton diminishes the quality of life, which in turn drives down property values.

The cost to the city of not saving this last bit of open space will be much greater than any short-term economic benefits.

Frances Mathews

Fullerton