Editor:

I just read the editorial "Irresponsible coverage" authored by the Meckeses. I had the pleasure of attending the Dec. 5 meeting of the CSD, and I can tell you first-hand that the now-defunct Bayside Bar and Grille was a major and heated topic at the start of the meeting.

The Meckes claim that they had no knowledge of any problems at the club and they were only trying to offer a place for the children to go. According to the sheriff's department, there were 85 logged calls for assistance to the Bayside Bar and Grille.

As you and I know, when the sheriff is called out to a disturbance, there is a report written. There is no way the owners of the club, Bob and Darlene Meckes, were not aware of what was going on under their very own roof.

The meeting room at the CSD office was packed on the night of the fifth and resident after resident (including me) stood up and asked why an establishment that was being run unlawfully and in direct violation of its license to operate was allowed to continue doing business.

The sheriff advised us that they were in the process of taking action against the club and that it was a time-consuming process. For the Meckes to say they knew nothing about what was going on in a club they owned and operated is an insult to the intelligence of the residents of Discovery Bay.

Even though the Meckes' Steakhouse was voted business of the year for 2007 and Robert Meckes was runner-up for businessman of the year, that is still no excuse for their flagrant disregard for the safety of the patrons of their Bayside Bar and Restaurant.

I have spoken to many residents of our community and I haven't heard one person speak out against the editorial that Mr. Rhoads wrote last week. I for one think the points he touched on were accurate and very much to the point.

Mark Simon

Discovery Bay