Mailbag: County supervisor failed to articulate reasons to vote against Prop. 13

Re “Commentary: Just say no to the new Proposition 13,” (Feb. 26): Who determined Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel’s commentary on Proposition 13 was worthy of publication? There is essentially no analysis other than scaring people with some version of the phrase “You’ll pay more in taxes” over and over.

I find it especially ironic that Steel wants to protect our children and grandchildren by saying no to school bonds. Certainly no one is happy to pay more in taxes, but I’m willing to consider it if it’s for something that’s good for society like education.

I would have liked to read more about this issue, but she contributed nothing to the discussion.

If this is the level of analysis Steel typically performs in her capacity as a county supervisor, we certainly don’t need her in Congress.

Dave Courdy
Huntington Beach

Reader would rather green trees over gray concrete

The Newport Heights, Balboa Island and Cliffhaven communities have experienced a tree-saving effort the last several months. Because these older areas have more numerous and larger established trees than most of the other communities in Newport Beach, it did not come as much of a surprise that many residents spoke out in favor of saving them.

First the city, and secondly the school district, announced that the removal of foundation trees was necessary for safety and architectural reasons. Some in the communities charged back that for them the trees were too important to remove because of aesthetic and biological reasons.

Also, many of them failed to agree with the validity of the safety issue. In their defense, they point out that the trees provide the vital infrastructure for healthy ecosystems.

It is difficult to find the proper balance between progress and nature. I have experienced this dichotomy on a personal level and have not always been consistent in my choice. I just know that in the long run, I find a lot more solace in green than gray.

Lynn Lorenz
Newport Beach

Plan to remove trees is just bananas

This concept would completely defeat the purpose of making a better path for our children and compromise the safety of the students. We need to close the gap between the city, the Police Department and the school district and allow them to proceed with improved communication and transparency to the citizens who live in the Newport Heights.

As taxpaying residents who employ and elect these representatives and agencies, the majority of people feel that the destruction and removal of trees to facilitate an institutional and hazardous parking lot is just plain bananas.

Peggy Palmer
Newport Beach

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