Letters to the Editor: Pacific Symphony’s fireworks should not have been given permit

ed

I live in College Park. The fireworks at the Pacific Symphony’s Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sept. 9 woke my entire family up right at 10 p.m. We called the police to register a noise complaint and we were told that this was not a noise violation because the event organizers had a permit to do this. I clarified with the police that this permit was granted and I was told that was correct.

Section 13-238 of the Costa Mesa Zoning Code reads: “It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully make or continue, to cause to be made or continued, any loud unnecessary and unusual noise, which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area.”

The zoning code also states, “the standard whether a violation of the provisions of this section exist may include, but not limited to the following: (e) the proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities.”

Let me assure you that the Orange County Fairgrounds are located next to residential sleeping facilities (known as College Park). Since this event was planned, then I can assume that the fireworks were “willfully” caused and this was not some random accident in the parking lot.

Please explain to my why this was allowed this to happen.

Emily Bees

Costa Mesa

Mesa Water needs to come clean about how money is being spent

Mesa Water is proposing a 5% per year, five-year rate increase; compounded, this equals 30% over the five years.

This rate increase will replace the previously adopted rate increase that was scheduled to become effective January 2018. That adopted rate would have increased the average household bill by 3%, so the proposed rate equals an increase of 7% even though the district lists it as 5%.

Mesa Water blames the rising cost of water but its current budget — which has an operating income of $8.6 million before depreciation — already included those increased costs. Even taking into account all the non-operating and capital the bottom line is still positive without this proposed increase. There have been items published lately about how much the board spends on travel and the general manager being one of the highest paid in the county.

And while in dollars the amount may be small, it does lead one to wonder: how else is public money being spent? It is difficult to determine that question as limited financial information is readily available. The only financial statement information online is the budget and annual financial report.

Monthly financial statements are provided at Finance Committee meetings but are not included in the minutes nor do the minutes include any discussion of financial conditions. Even the agenda where members propose the rate increase doesn’t include any supporting documentation. How can the public have confidence that this rate increase is warranted when we know so little about Mesa Water’s finances?

At its July 19, 2017 meeting the board affirmed a plan of putting $13 million toward their pension liability. While it may be a prudent financial decision, why isn’t that stated as a reason for the rate increase? The board and district appear to be misleading the public as to the reason for this rate increase.

Glynis Litvak

Costa Mesa

Coddling students just makes more problems once they leave education

That Orange Coast College has to expend so much time and likely treasure to defend its handling of what appears to be a very troubled former student (Robert McDougal) lasers on the problem with our education system.

Imagine how much time his chemistry instructor would have to spend were she to grant every single student dissatisfied with his grade a special exam? Imagine how much disruption McDougal has already inflicted on the instructor’s classroom? And why should this student be qualified for college admission if what his attorney said about him is true: “unable to comprehend the significance of a restraining order.”

The major problem with our education system is that our teachers are forced to spend more and more time defending their action at the expense of real teaching. Coddling our students creates only more problems for them in the real world.

John T Chiu

Newport Beach

Cities’ actions have effects on non-residents

Living in south east Huntington Beach, I am only indirectly but still significantly affected by the decisions of local governments in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Development projects in either city near me could affect both my transportation situation and my quality of life.

For example, I have opposed the proposed 19th Street/Banning bridge and the proposed Banning Ranch development not only because of the negative impacts but because of the pay-to-play politics I believe are involved in influencing local officials.

I am also opposed to elected representatives who arrogantly turn their backs on a majority of their constituents due to ideology or partisan special interests. I am therefore not a fan of embattled Newport Beach Councilman Scott Peotter. I believe he should be recalled not only because of his behavior, but also the damage he could do with his decisions and support over the next year. The benefits far outweigh the costs in my opinion.

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach

Vape industry needs Congress to reign in the FDA

The recent Food and Drug Administration deadline extension for pre-market tobacco applications is a welcome reprieve for many vape manufacturers. However, unless there are significant changes to the impending regulations, the vape market will still crumble in 2022.

The vape industry provides healthy alternatives for combustible tobacco smokers and job opportunities for thousands of Americans.

There is a better solution: H.R. 1136, the FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2017. It will help keep vapor products on the market, effectively saving thousands of jobs and keeping many Americans healthy and smoke-free.

This issue is of particular importance to me because the ability to access vape products has saved me from smoking cigarettes and the sure death it would have caused. I truly believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking.

Congress can help reign in the FDA by supporting a sensible legislative solution that preserves the vape industry.

Dirk Richmond

Huntington Beach

How to get published: Email us at dailypilot@latimes.com. All correspondence must include full name, hometown and phone number (for verification purposes). The Pilot reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity and length.