Landlords

Costa Mesa is considering a law that would compel landlords to evict anyone arrested -- not convicted, but merely arrested -- for any drug- or gang-related offense. At face value, the proposed law seems like one that would create a field day for the American Civil Liberties Union. I grew up believing that the ACLU walked on water, and although now I rarely side with them, most of me was hoping they'd challenge this new ordinance before the ink was dry. Then I spoke at length to Fred Szkolnik.

Jennifer Kho COSTA MESA -- The city this week sent letters to four strip mall landlords alleging that some of their tenants are engaging in prostitution on their properties, Mayor Gary Monahan announced Friday. "What our city attorney's office is doing is putting them on notice that we know they've got prostitution in there and police have seen it," he said, adding that landlords are required to prohibit prostitution on their properties. "Enough is enough.

It's always laudable when a city looks for ways to make its residents safer. But a proposed crime-eviction program in Costa Mesa goes so far that there is very little reason to applaud. The city's Police Department has been drawing up the crime-eviction program, similar to one already employed in Buena Park. It would require landlords to evict tenants arrested for drug- or gang-related activities. In Buena Park, police begin the process by notifying landlords when a tenant is arrested.

Newport Beach residents may have noticed more restrained New Year's celebrations, thanks to the relatively new Loud and Unruly Gathering ordinance. To date, $26,166.66 has been collected from citations issued under the ordinance, which affected 25 homes in 2011, according to the city. So far, 55 tickets have been issued to a tenant, responsible party or landlord. Of those, 23 have been paid in full, four were voided, one is on a payment plan, and 15 are awaiting payment or in collections.

Enforce laws to deal with housing problems I think what should be done about the substandard housing is we should enforce the codes that already exist for the city of Costa Mesa and the laws that exist for the state of California regarding housing ("Politics at play as planners debate rental housing program," Oct. 30). We have the authority and the power to do that. I have lived in Costa Mesa for 30-plus years, and my husband and I have been property owners in the city of Costa Mesa for more than 30 years.

Paul Clinton Corporate cost-cutting and a stagnant economy have led to a deteriorating market for local office space, a CB Richard Ellis report says. Demand for retail space, conversely, has remained strong. Office vacancy rates countywide inched higher for the fourth consecutive quarter; as of April 1, vacancy rates hit 16.4%, up from 15.9% at the end of last year. With the buildup of empty space, landlords have watched prices fall to a level not seen in almost four years.

Amy R. Spurgeon Not many people can say they have settled the differences of quarrelsome neighbors, unhappy co-workers and bitter divorcees in as little as 35 minutes. But they aren't Barbara Echan, a volunteer mediator at The Mediation Center in Costa Mesa. "She is a natural peacemaker," said Susan J. Atkinson, the center's director of program development. "She has a natural ability to handle highly emotionally charged issues and bring them to resolution."

Hooda is a neutered 8-year-old male whose owner is trying to find a home for him to avoid the uncertainty of the shelter system, said DiAnna Pfaff-Martin, founder of the Newport Beach-based Community Animal Network. He has a sister, a black Manx cat, that also needs a home, she said. Former "Pets of the Week" Peachy and George, two adult cats that were in the same predicament, were put to sleep Friday because their owner was unable to find homes for them, Pfaff-Martin said.

Costa Mesa’s new provider of help and information on fair housing in the city will offer walk-in counseling service at the Neighborhood Community Center downtown. For the first time, Costa Mesa has contracted with the Fair Housing Foundation — a Long Beach-based company — switching from its past provider, the Fair Housing Council of Orange County. The service helps landlords implement policies that are not discriminatory and coaches tenants on their rights and how to resolve disputes.