R Newport Beach

The Times quote of Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) ably points out that the El Toro military base in Tustin is already being eyed for development. That means more costs to us taxpayers for roads, sewers, water, schools, smog and congestion. We citizens paid to keep the military base open. And now we will have to further pay if it is replaced by another development. Therefore, if we are going to have to pay no matter what, I suggest that we instead pay for a park. A great big beautiful park.

I am appalled at the lies and contradictions present in Assemblyman Gil Ferguson's (R-Newport Beach) mailer, which I received the week of May 16. He states that "the needs of older people are of special importance" as he voted to "increase state tax credits for people over 65 and to ensure that the state did not tax Social Security benefits." Has he forgotten his vote in the committee of Ways and Means on May 27, 1987, in which he voted for AB 33 authored by Assemblyman Harris (D-San Francisco)

Brig. Gen. Jay W. Hubbard's Orange County Voices piece ("A Chance To Rethink El Toro's Fate," April 6) was right on target but I wish more light had been shed on a couple of issues. Remember Kobe, Japan, and then picture Orange County. Then think what 80 to 100 Marine helicopters could mean if the county suffered a similar massive earthquake. What good is El Toro if not for an airport? It is the only land remaining that could easily be adapted as a future Orange County airport and it is fairly certain that the present John Wayne Airport will be outgrown at some time.

In an attempt to discredit a legitimate and responsible bipartisan organization, (Assemblyman) Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), in his July 18 Commentary ("Abortion Issue Should Not Be Dividing GOP"), implies that Pro-Choice Orange County is some sort of Democratic front. His statement is untrue and unfair. Pro-Choice Orange County is a bipartisan political action committee dedicated to a single issue, the protection of a woman's right to choose. Sponsors of the organization include Republican elected officials such as U.S. Sen. John Seymour, Supervisor Harriett Wieder and (Newport Beach)

Howard Seelye, 86, a former political writer for the Orange County edition of the Los Angeles Times, died Tuesday at his home in the northern San Diego County city of Fallbrook, after a short illness, according to his family. Seelye joined The Times in 1966 after serving as press secretary for Robert H. Finch during his successful race for lieutenant governor of California. At The Times, Seelye handled political coverage for the emerging Orange County edition. He worked at The Times until 1976, when he took early retirement and joined the staff of newly elected Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach)

Rep. C. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) was dealt a legal blow this week when Superior Court Commissioner Eleanor M. Palk ordered Cox and his attorneys to pay Werner Erhard & Associates $1,000 for failing to return videotapes of an est training session. The court also ordered Cox to return the tapes. The court's action means that the San Francisco-based firm can pursue its claim that Cox libeled est founder Erhard when he called est a "destructive cult" during his 1988 primary campaign against Erhard's brother Nathan Rosenberg.

It appalls me to see a supposedly responsible, rational legislator such as Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) demonstrate such prejudicial, irrational and unthinking behavior as when he labled Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) a "traitor" for his stand on the Vietnam War (Times, May 3). Such slanders are nothing more than McCarthyism at its worst. In so many words, what Ferguson said was, "If you hold an opinion that differs from mine, then you are not only wrong, but anti-American, anti-God and probably unfit to be a citizen of this country."

AK-47s and other assault rifles ought to be banned whether automatic or semi-automatic. What possible justification is there for a person to possess this kind of firepower? Our country is an embarrassment to the world in one regard. We are a much too violent country and have an incredible murder rate. Let's support gun control locally, statewide and, most importantly if we want to be effective, federally. We need to support our police, who are presently outgunned by the criminals.

I commend you for your editorial "A New Hope for Ailing Schools" (July 14). Charter schools empower parents and teachers to provide the best learning environment for their students, unfettered by rules and regulations designed by people unfamiliar with the unique student population served locally. Charter schools are a challenge to parents and teachers and require a dedication and commitment to success that demands many hours of hard work and full cooperation among school site personnel.

I would like to commend the actions taken by Rep. C. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach). With one sentence added to the 1990 defense spending plan he will have assured the residents surrounding the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station that this base will not become the future, much-sought International Airport for Orange County. It is to be expected that the Airport Site Coalition, a group of predominantly Newport Beach citizens, would oppose the congressman's actions. The coalition has been attempting to shove an airport into someone else's back yard to alleviate the air traffic and congestion at John Wayne.