Mailbag: Fencing plan for Adams is a good compromise

I am in receipt of a letter sent to the Daily Pilot by Adams Elementary School librarian Deborah Lucas regarding the issue of fencing at the school (“Commentary: Adams Elementary fence belongs on perimeter,” Feb. 21).

I would like to respond:

I believe the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Trustees signed off on running the fence along the blacktop after meeting with families, students, staff and neighbors.

She argues that the fence would not achieve safety. How can that be? The campus would be secured from all sides by fences with locked gates during school hours (entrance only through the school office).

She argues that students would be in danger in case of an emergency because of an insufficient number of gates. Does she really think that the schools with this configuration (such as Mariners) would allow their students to be in danger in case of an emergency or that the school board would approve a plan that would put anyone in danger?

She argues that a fence along the blacktop would create a sense of isolation. This seems in direct contrast to the original request for a fenced school. Which option does she want?

Parents, students, school staff and neighbors had an opportunity to provide input last year — and they did. Emotional arguments presented at the meeting Feb. 13 are not new, and no new information was discussed.

As a neighbor who participated in the process and feels that this option represents an excellent compromise for all parties involved (with student safety still the highest priority), I am frustrated by the level of emotional obfuscation now underway.

I hope that the NMUSD Board of Trustees and Supt. Fred Navarro do not go with a perimeter fence.

Jill Stack

Costa Mesa

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Water taxis warrant a ‘fare’ look

Re. “From the Boathouse: Harbor sorely lacking water taxis,” (Feb. 14): My wife and I read Mike Whitehead’s column, and we agree there is a huge need for water taxis.

Just last night we were on our Duffy, and my wife and I kept asking each other how people get from the shore to their boats or from their boats to a restaurant. Whitehead’s example of Avalon’s use of water taxis would make a great model.

I’m also remember the Chamber of Commerce, and I think it would do business a service to have a water taxi.

John OKeefe

Newport Beach

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Does culture allow rushing?

I read the Daily Pilot’s Jan. 31 article, “60th documents released,” and Costa Mesa’s executive summary of 60th anniversary event findings. I also listened to City Council member comments on the 60th anniversary audit from the Feb. 4 meeting.

As a result, I have asked myself how a problem of such magnitude could come about. City policies and procedures weren’t followed, and the 60th festivities went far over budget.

City officials told the Daily Pilot that the problems included the lack of competitive bidding for some contracts, missing purchase orders and a serious time crunch to get things done. I think the point about time constraints is the most revealing.

I wonder if there hasn’t been a culture in the City Hall work environment that allowed people to think that they don’t always need to obey the rules or that obeying rules is not an accepted excuse for not getting something done fast enough.

And I wonder if this is also the attitude of the council majority. Remember that the council majority itself has tried to justify its actions based on time constraints and rushed through several programs that have become problems, such as layoff notices issued to employees, a flawed city charter proposal that was later defeated, a rushed proposal to add parking at Fairview Park and the appointment of the current charter committee members.

Charles Mooney

Costa Mesa