MAILBAG:

A good general rule — don’t vote in favor of initiatives that haven’t been explained.

I’m confident that a clear majority of Newport voters will follow that rule and vote “No” on Measure B because the City Hall in the Park supporters have failed to answer three critical questions raised by their initiative:

1) How much would it cost? The “Yes” team says we’ll save at least $10 million more any other alternative. The “No” team claims the park site represents a $10 million premium. In truth, no one has any real idea. The “Yes” team has rejected the only cost analysis ever done on the park site and the savings they claim for it have no basis for comparison to anything.

2) Why are we asked to decide something so important and permanent without the benefit of an environmental impact report? The traffic questions alone should make Measure B a non-starter for everyone who cares about the quality of life in our community. The most recent pro Measure B campaign flier assures us “There will be no traffic problems created by a city hall next to the library.” Anyone who regularly drives in that area knows better than that. Who is kidding whom?

3) What’s the rush? Sure, the council has been fooling around with our city hall issue for several years, but why has it suddenly become so critically urgent that we must skip the entire planning process to get this on the ballot next month?

And speaking of the push to get this done, what’s the motivation for all of the “Yes” money? This doesn’t just feel right — it isn’t right.

Our council has completely mishandled our city hall plan and has not served us well. We deserve better government. It’s time to move the issue back to square one: demanding of the council a thorough and open city hall planning process and fact-based site decision.

Don’t reward bad government. Vote no on Measure B.

DOUGLAS M. WEST

Newport Beach

Ticked off by Time Warner’s ‘service’

On Jan. 10 I had the misfortune to call Time Warner Cable Customer Service to report a failed cable set-top box. I had the unpleasant and unacceptable experience of speaking with a Time Warner representative who had the demeanor and people skills of a Marine drill sergeant talking to a new recruit.

The “customer service” representative dutifully read the litany of all the rules Time Warner had in-place for what I must do to restore reception and obtain credit for charges made while service was not available to me. She also had a quick “no” answer for any request I made regarding what Time Warner could do for me, the lowly customer. The attitude projected by “customer service” was that I was there to serve Time Warner rather than vice-versa.

I requested to be connected to a manager and was refused. I requested a manager call me and was again refused. I was never able to speak with anyone but the rigid, unhearing drill sergeant with whom I was first connected.

Since Time Warner enjoys a monopoly franchise in Costa Mesa and selected areas of Newport Beach, my options for alternate service are limited. It is my hope that my complaint, together with those of a multitude of unfortunate Time Warner customers, will prompt Time Warner to make much needed service improvements. It is also my hope that the cities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach take steps to ensure that Time Warner provides quality service or select a new franchisee who is able to so.

THOMAS DAMIANI

Newport Beach