Mailbag: District did not seek full cheating story

I am confused by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. On the one hand, when asked about the latest Corona del Mar High School news regarding the arrest of Timothy Lai, the tutor arrested in the alleged hacking case, the district spokeswoman stated that, “We consider the matter to be closed,” and the situation “no longer involves the campus or school district.”

This attitude of instant closure was echoed by the CdM principal, who in an email to the staff directed the employees not to discuss the latest events with students or parents, seemingly denying their 1st Amendment rights.

Having the full story would be complicated and potentially more embarrassing for the district, and would force it to confront and seriously address the issue and all that it might entail.

Sandy Asper

Newport Beach

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Charter lends too much power

I recently received a mailer from the city titled “Answers About the Proposed Charter for Costa Mesa.”

People pushing for a charter say it would give the city more control over some issues. The mailer states that voters will have the “last word on the charter.” This is true insofar as votes will decide if Costa Mesa becomes a charter city. However, the City Council will still run the city, and so this additional power will be in its hands.

We have had a City Council majority that has not worked well with residents. I have lived in this city for more than 40 years and have never seen a council majority as contentious as this one.

This has made me very wary of turning Costa Mesa into a charter city. I voted against the last proposed charter, as did 60% of the voters. Why bring it up again?

Another issue about the mailer: References to “City Council voted on” infers that all five members are in agreement. This is not true. Councilwomen Wendy Leece and Sandra Genis oppose a charter. Mayor Jim Righeimer and Councilmen Steve Mensinger and Gary Monahan are pushing it.

One last issue: The councilwomen lost a vote to not use city money for mailers. It appears the council majority used their power to go ahead on their own. Do we really want a City Council like this now or in the future? What would it do with more power?

Dolores Minerich

Costa Mesa

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Mayor’s inability to compromise shown again

Re: Bradley Zint’s “Relationships crumble with dealerships wall,” Oct. 11:

The article detailed Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer’s accusatory response to the concerns of residents and his favoring of business and development. It further showed his inability to compromise and work with another council member’s suggestions, to which Orange Coast Buick/GMC/Cadillac had agreed. He says that he has listened and just doesn’t agree. I submit that he doesn’t even consider another viewpoint and should not be re-elected.

Margaret Mooney

Costa Mesa