Mailbag: $54 for a parking ticket is an outrage

I went to the beach this morning to watch the waves. The scene was epic. You don’t see this many stoked surfers all that often in Newport.

The water was warm and clear, almost like Hawaii. Even the air felt tropical. The conditions were perfect. One set of waves after another rolled in. Long rides, tubes, everything a surfer dreams of and plenty for everyone to share. A rare occurrence around here.

Parking, of course, was not easy on a morning like this. Plenty of surfers didn’t mind paying the meters. I saw guys changing from wetsuits into dress suits, huge smiles on their faces. Seconds later, their expressions changed as they glanced at their windshields.

Nothing is more likely to ruin a morning’s stoke and wipe away a smile than a $54 ticket. That’s what happens if you are unlucky enough to overlook the fact that street sweeping affects metered areas as well as “free” parking on the streets. The penalty is disproportionate to the “crime.” Fifty-four dollars is a full day’s pay for a lot of people.

Way to go, Newport.

Julia Shunda

Newport Beach

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Offices create more traffic woes

In response to Councilman Tony Petros’ commentary (“Commentary: Measure Y would prevent traffic spikes in our neighborhoods,” Sept. 30):

Petros advertises himself as a traffic planner, but he thinks like the Irvine Co. A traffic planner surely knows that hotels contribute much more revenue to a city than an office building. He absolutely should know that hotel traffic won’t affect an area as much because it comes and goes all day, while the traffic generated by an office building occurs predominantly during peak traffic times.

As a city councilman, Petros also should know that every survey of residents done in anticipation of the general plan update showed that no one wants more traffic. Despite all of these things, Petros is a staunch advocate of Measure Y and the hundreds of thousands of additional square feet of new development it will bring to Newport Center.

I’d like to ask him to listen to his constituents instead of the Irvine Co. and join me in voting no on Measure Y.

James Coon

Corona del Mar

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O’Sullivan well-deserving of honor

On Oct. 4, I became a USC Trojan. At the USC-Arizona State football game, Ed O’Sullivan of Newport Beach, my friend and mentor for 30 years, a veteran, former POW and stalwart supporter of USC for 50 years, was honored as “hero of the game.”

When presented with the award, O’Sullivan, 90, had the presence of mind to look around the stadium and enjoy the moment. I did the same. What I saw was spectacular. Instead of munching hot dogs, talking among themselves and heading to the restroom, 50,000 fans stood, cheered and honored one of their own for a lifetime of service — to country, university, community, friends and family.

O’Sullivan was so busy giving high-fives to his fans on the pitch, and on both sides of the stairs, that it took him more than 10 minutes to return to his seat. In honoring O’Sullivan, USC gave a great man a well-earned moment (kudos to the USC administration for recognizing greatness), and the USC fans reflected the same compassion and depth of understanding for which O’Sullivan was being honored.

Clearly something very cool is being cultivated among the students at USC. I will always bleed Duke Blue, but after today there is more than a hint of cardinal and gold that flows in me. To O’Sullivan and USC, “Fight On.”

Jeffrey B. Harris

La Canada Flintridge