Mailbag: Wreck should not have snarled traffic

With all due respect to the person who lost his life at Promontory Point Drive and East Coast Highway (“Driver dies in East Coast Highway crash,” Nov. 13), I take issue with having to shut down the highway for four hours when in fact no intersection was blocked. The wreckage was out of the roadway.

About an hour after this accident, traveling west past the accident site unimpeded, I was dismayed by all the eastbound cars backed up from Bayside Drive to at least the Santa Ana River jetty — four miles.

These folks were trying to get to work at 8 a.m. but found themselves hopelessly stuck in a traffic mess that could have been largely avoided. The Newport Beach traffic officers need to reassess their accident procedures.

Pete Rabbitt

Newport Beach

*

Irvine Newcomers Club is welcoming

This time of the year, we begin thinking about the many reasons we are thankful. Recently, when Newcomers Club of Irvine had its monthly luncheon at Brasserie Pascal in Newport Beach’s Fashion Island, members were truly thankful for good friends, a delicious meal and impeccable service.

It was all made possible by the efforts of banquet manager Karen O’Hanlon. All of the extra touches, including an Irvine Newcomers’ welcoming sign and personally printed menus, added to the ambience.

The luncheon co-chairpersons, Joan Ershler and I, both residents of Northpark, received compliments from the Newcomers’ members and guests in attendance.

Newcomers Club of Irvine is a wonderful group of women who help women who have lived in Irvine less than three years get acquainted with our wonderful city.

For more information about the many activities, contact Denise Barcon at (714) 878-0520 or dbarcon10@gmail.com.

Myrna Caputso

Irvine

*

Theater review got it wrong

Re. “On Theater: The first 3,999 miles are the best,” (Oct. 28): Far from being a “fizzled finale,” the last line of “4000 Miles” provides perfect resolution.

Because the audience has been caught up in the plot, we don’t realize that what we’ve been watching is a carefully crafted portrait of Vera. I hope your readers don’t stay away from this fine South Coast Repertory production, and I hope the reviewer will see it again.

Nancy Grant

Laguna Beach

*

Don’t pay for union’s defense

Re. “City could be swept into councilmen’s suit,” Nov. 15: Costa Mesa should not spend one red cent of taxpayer money defending the police union against these allegations.

Instead, the police union should agree to cooperate with the district attorney’s investigation and get to the bottom of what really happened during the election. Please tell our City Council to vote against this ridiculous request.

Colin McCarthy

Costa Mesa

The writer is a city planning commissioner.