Commentary: Who speaks for Costa Mesa? You do
I’ve resided in Costa Mesa for 43 years. I say this not to suggest a particular ownership of the city, only to explain that I have seen it all.
In these last four years, I have stood by and watched our city be torn apart by political ideologies and downright mean people. Who speaks for Costa Mesa? Who defends the city from being ripped into pieces by those wanting to profit from its demise? How does the city survive the animosity heaped upon it by our mayor and mayor pro tem suing the Costa Mesa Police Assn.?
The measure of a city is found in its livability, open space, commitment to preserving what is good about it, and the participation and support of that community. I am asking Costa Mesans to support our law enforcement and Fire Department. The civil lawsuit filed by the mayor and mayor pro tem is nothing more than vengeful.
I’m not addressing the criminal charges filed against two individuals. I believe in the judicial system and trust it will bring out the truth and that justice will prevail. No charges have been filed against any member of our Police Department, but officers have been painted with guilt by comments posted online. The comments from public officials are destructive and damaging to our city.
The Costa Mesa Police Department, in the past, was an agency that had no problem recruiting highly trained professional officers. Those days are gone. The events of the last four years have tainted our police department with a reputation for anti-police sentiment by its majority councilmen — not an environment that promotes lateral hires.
Costa Mesa deserves better than minimum (or below) police staffing, diminished motor units while traffic increases on every street and highway, dui arrests fall dramatically and dangerously below standards, senior staff depletion and too much more to mention.
Where does this madness stop? Does an officer or resident need to be seriously injured? Civil litigation will keep our city torn apart on so many levels for so many years, and why? Is it the egos of a couple of politicians? Is it the desire to destroy our Police Department because of personal angst, or is it a blatant act of revenge?
Our officers need our support. Who speaks for Costa Mesa? You do. Let your voice be heard, support our city, attend council meetings, be informed. Make this your New Year’s resolution.
MARY SPADONI lives in Costa Mesa.