Mailbag - July 10, 2001

An ounce of prevention equals a pound of . . . sparklers? This is

in regards to “Let there be fireworks on the Fourth of July” by John

Moorlach (Sounding Board, July 8).

Thanks to my good friend, the honorable county Treasurer John M. W.

Moorlach, for his illuminating, enlightening and sparkling comments on

the fireworks issue, which must have been accidentally ignited in my

brief commentary on July 3 in the Daily Pilot. It is nice to have some

nonexplosive banter for a change.

Now if the truth be known, dearest John, I enjoy fireworks displays as

much as you. But sometimes a heads up alert is helpful before -- not

after -- injuries occur. This is called preventive medicine.

A Pilot article on July 5 and an editorial on July 8 extended kudos to

the city and residents of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach for a safe and

sane holiday with “no major incidents reported.” Much of the credit

should go to the editors of the Pilot for allowing courteous and proper

debate on this issue.

In closing, since he controls the big bucks, how about Moorlach -- the

county’s treasurer -- itemize and allot some extra taxpayer cash for

bigger and better fireworks displays in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach next

year?

MICHAEL GLUECK

Newport Beach

Gasoline company pays off with public relations cash

This has to do with the Mobil gas station giving the money to the

Estancia girls’ basketball team (“Trading picket signs for gardening

tools,” June 30). Just when you enjoy hating these big oil companies for

price gouging over all these years, then they go and do something like

this. You know, go figure.

GEORGE LAMPINEN

Newport Beach

Large developments could lead to a larger airport

This is in response to your question: “Would you prefer that new,

large Newport development occur closer to John Wayne Airport than

elsewhere in the city?”

I am opposed to our Newport Beach city government allowing large

developments around the airport, as well as elsewhere in the city. This

kind of a project only encourages more expansion of the airport, which

all of us, in this city at least, want to curtail.

JOHN SWAIN

Balboa Island