Letters to the Editor – Issue of June 28, 2012
Chamber still vibrant
In response to Kevin McNamara’s letter of June 21. It is disturbing to hear that a local businessperson is so willing to disparage a local Poway group whose sole goal is to improve the local economic condition for Poway business. I am sorry to hear that he didn’t feel that he accomplished much in his three years while a member of the board of directors. I strongly disagree with his conclusion that the chamber should merge with the San Diego North Chamber, as doing so would eliminate the 62 years of effort that has gone into the Poway Chamber of Commerce. Currently, many volunteer business owners take time out of their busy workday to do great work for the community of Poway by serving on the board of directors, the various committees that serve the membership, or in special event participation.
I believe that in these trying economic times with government resources strained to the breaking point, it will be incumbent on groups such as the Poway Chamber of Commerce to carry much of the load in promoting business here. I wish Mr. McNamara well in his association with the San Diego North Chamber and hope that he finds the results that he seeks.
Furthermore, I invite any business owner, chamber member or not, to visit the chamber offices on Poway Road to see that we are still a vibrant and relevant force for business in the greater Poway community.
Jeff White, Account executive – Poway Chamber of Commerce
Better enforcement needed
For the past two years, the Poway City Council has been repeatedly alerted to the fact that animal enforcement laws in the City of Poway are being
blatantly ignored. The sheriff refuses to enforce animal control law, and the Escondido Humane Society ignores animal enforcement laws as this conflicts with their charter to protect animals — not people. Both agencies are paid-for law-enforcement services by Poway taxpayers, but the mayor and council refuse to demand full enforcement and accountability from them.
When will Mayor Higginson and the council stop turning a blind eye to the lack of animal-control enforcement? How many kids need to get mauled or die in Poway before the city takes action?
On June 14, an 8-month-old infant in Lemon Grove was killed by dogs. Will the next victim be in Poway?
This is a ticking time bomb — and the Poway City Council keeps rolling the dice; the only question is who will be the next victim as a result of the council’s refusal to fulfill their duty?
Assi Friedman, Poway
Vote the candidate, not the party
I just don’t get it. We have so many voters that vote straight party lines. In politics there are really only two parties at this time. The Democrats, of which one-third of the most liberal Democrats set the Democrat Party’s agenda and platform. And the Republicans, of which the one-third of the most conservative Republicans set the Republican Party’s agenda and platform. I do not believe you can tell the difference between the other two-thirds of both parties.
Both parties control their moderates by campaigning or threatening to campaign against them. If a candidate votes with the other side the party picks someone else who will vote the party line and backs them. Neither party votes for what is best for the people, they consistently vote for the items that will block or keep the other party from looking good. Until we the people start voting for the candidates and what they believe in and not the party this country will continue to be “broken” and “broke.”
I encourage and plead with all voters to start voting for the candidate that truly wants to fix our country, rather than make the other guys look bad. We need short term limits and also campaign spending reform.
As I say, I don’t get it! Wake up America! I have dumped my political party. I suggest you do the same. We cannot continue to be Democrats or Republicans in order to succeed! We all need to be Americans.
Ron Wilson, Rancho Bernardo
Related posts:
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=26128
Posted by Barbara Norton
on Jun 27 2012. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
Mr. Friedman,
The Lemon Grove incident is the exact reason I championed so hard this spring to keep all dogs on a leash throughout the parks in Poway. The dogs were literally running wild at Silverset Park. Parents were afraid to let their children play on the fields. For the most part, the residents have been walking their dogs on a leash. The state of California has a leash law which states, all dogs must be on a leash unless in a designated area such as a dog park. I hope what happened in Lemon Grove doesn't happen here.
While I agree we need enforcement of the leash laws, the 8 month was mauled by the family pit bull and not by a dog running off leash so to equate leash laws with the 8 month old is incorrect.
The Escondido Humane Society does not enforce animal control laws – that falls under the County Animal Control. The City contracts with animal control for services and they respond when called but because they are not in Poway and can be just about anywhere in North County when called – there are going to be significant time delays. Animal Control is overworked, understaffed and suffering from the same budget cuts all county services are experiencing. So to expect them to rush out for a leash law violation unfortunately is not a priority. Dogs running in traffic are responded to by deputies.
I agree dog owners need to be responsible and follow the rules. I keep my dog on a leash at all times and tied to the leash are several poop bags. Let's not get started on the dog park thing again. I continue to walk my dog in my neighborhood and through my neighborhood park. It's not difficult to be a responsible and considerate dog owner.
RabidDog:
You are entirely wrong. The Escondido Humane Society is paid over $270,000 per year to enforce Section 6 of the Poway Municipal Code. In turn the Poway Municipal Code adopted the San Diego County animal control code by reference. The contract requires a patrol in Poway – so it is not true "they may be just about anywhere in North County".
The main problem is that the Poway City Council refuses to enforce the law on the books unless it affects them personally – we learned that from the case of Councilmember Rexford.
Furthermore, EHS animal control is headed by a PETA style extremist (Traci Chavez) that absolutely refuses to do anything that would require them to put a dog down. As a matter of fact, she has NEVER initiated dangerous dog enforcement hearings in all her years of service at EHS. Not for Poway, and not for any of the cities EHS services. EHS is not understaffed – they just refuse to enforce the law since they have a conflict of interest with their corporate charter but they sure do want our money. As a result, we get next to no service for our tax dollars and public safety is made second to extremists agendas.
RabidDog, Well said.