Letters to the Editor: Issue of July 5, 2012
Letters from the Poway News Chieftain
Mangum best for council
I don’t always agree with Dick Lyles, but his column of June 28 hit the nail squarely on the head. Many people aspiring to political office run to satisfy their egos. They then invent issues and make it sound like they are the savior of these perceived problems. I know Jeff Mangum and he is just the opposite.
Jeff Mangum looks only to serve the citizens of Poway. His experience suits him better than anyone else to fill Merrilee Boyack’s seat on the council. Having served with Jeff for 16 years on the Poway Unified School District Board of Education, I can attest to his outstanding character, exceptional intelligence, ability to articulate, and his unparalleled skills at problem solving. When tasked with problem solving, he thoroughly thinks through all possible consequences prior to making the final decision.
As for others who are considering running, if you really care about Poway you’ll choose not to run and will instead support Jeff Mangum. He is by far the best person for the job.
Penny Ranftle, Poway
Time for council districts
I take issue with Dick Lyles promoting a campaign to keep qualified citizens from entering the City Council race.
A summary of an email I sent to Mayor Higginson:
“It is interesting to learn Gary Vineyard has filed to run for Poway City Council. He is the only candidate, to date, who is not from North Poway. All members of the current Council are from upscale neighborhoods.
I heard many comments from South Poway citizens during the Wal-Mart debate that they lack representation on the Council and the deal was the foregone conclusion of those not highly impacted by the issue.
Diversity is a hallmark of democracy and I believe it is time for the City Council to put city council districts on the agenda.
Even though I think the Council has performed very well and I have lots of respect for those who have served, I have long felt that continuously electing the well to do from only upscale neighborhoods is not representative government.
I think it would be prudent for the City Council to take the initiative before a costly referendum fight or a voting-rights issue becomes a reality. That will surely happen.
I would appreciate hearing your opinion on the matter.”
As usual, I did not get a response from the mayor. I suppose you have to be a prominent north Poway resident to get his ear.
I would encourage more to file from the high density areas. If I think Mr. Mangum is one of the two best choices I will vote for him, but I would like more choices and would definitely vote for districts should it ever become an issue.
Tom Yarnall, Poway
Soccer complex needed
What an impressive site it was to see 100-plus teams participating in the Kickin It Challenge soccer tournament the weekend of June 23. The Poway Vaqueros did an amazing job as the main sponsor of this first annual charity soccer tournament that raised funds to help support the Susan G. Komen foundation.
The City of Escondido was also a sponsor of the event as it was played at Ryan Park. As I looked out over the 10-field complex and saw the thousand-plus players and all of their families, I could not help but think that it would be great to have a similar complex in Poway as local businesses in and around the complex certainly cleaned up this weekend with the influx of people. A whole lot of tax dollars were generated as well.
Poway American Little League has done a tremendous job in the past few years hosting All Star baseball tournaments because they have the four fields together.
A soccer complex in Poway would be a great addition to what is already a great community!
E.J. Miller, Poway
Letters from the Rancho Bernardo News Journal
Kudos to RB voters
Wow, wow, wow Rancho Bernardo, correct me if I am wrong, but I read a statistic that really wowed me: 75 percent of all registered voters in Rancho Bernardo voted. That is just phenomenal. You should all pat yourselves on the back for a deed well done.
The kudos do not stop there: you all did not vote for a judge because of a name, nor because of an ideaology or party, you voted based on merit. Kudos to you in Rancho Bernardo.
Hope you had a great July 4th. You all deserved it. From a local poll worker.
Emi Kaneshiro, Rancho Bernardo
Immigration out of control
Columnist Thomas Elias (June 21) points out the rising power of Latinos but fails to mention if birthright citizenship and the amnesty of millions is good for the country. A large portion of this easily offended population seems to have no problem going against the rule of law as long as they benefit; do as we want or else!
Legal and illegal, Latino immigration is out of control. It’s past time for your newspaper (and the country) to address this issue.
John Regula, Rancho Bernardo
Lots of wasted money
They should do away with uncontrollable amounts of money that is really wasted on advertising negative remarks against both Democratic and Republican nominations for the highest office in our country. It’s hard to believe these people have integrity. Especially all the lies and reverse tactics that are being used. I say let the nominees speak for themselves and do away with the baloney that goes on by people who are speaking for them.
I think the Democrats are the worst. I don’t believe anything they say anymore. The Republicans are tossing out some baloney also. Our country is going into an economic hole with more taxes we can never crawl out of if Obama has his way. The Republicans leave some doubt that they can really back up what they claim they can do.
How come we don’t have a person like Ford who brought honesty and integrity back to our country after Nixon, and the woman-chaser Clinton. I heard that Obama wants us to forgive the billions of dollars owed by General Motors and how come the union owns about one-third of GM. They have no business owning any part of GM as I’m sure they were the ones that destroyed GM with their union demands. Three billion dollars of the stimulus money is now supposed to build a super train system we need like a hole in the head which will wind up costing about $165 billion before it’s through. Can’t we stop that monster from going any further?
Leo Levitt, Rancho Bernardo
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on Jul 4 2012. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
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Mr. Miller, Are you spearheading the fundraiser?
Thanks Tom as the first $10.00 has been raised inadvertenly by you. I bet a friend of mine that if my letter was published the first comment would refer to money and where would it come from. haha! I am not currently spearheading the idea or the fundraiser but have in the past fundraised for many local sports teams and organizations and would certainly do all I could to assist such an endevaor.
You were correct with your assumption. Although it was an obvious response.Your'e on your own. Good luck.
Far from on my own, that was the same thing they said when we wanted to put lights in at Arablitos. They sure look good dont they.
Ms.Ranftle, it's difficult for me to understand why you are joining the Lyles campaign to convince citizens to not run against Jeff Mangum. If he is such a superior candidate why does he need to be shielded from competition? Or Is this just a campaign strategy?
Since there are two available seats do you hope to have candidates who have filed to withdraw their entry until the field gets to two?
I am sure Jeff is a great candidate and has a very good chance to be elected, but I don't think he needs, or probably wants, this kind of help to do so.
I still encourage anyone who thinks they can make a difference to get in the fray.
Tom – the mayor is an arrogant twit who hasn't had an independent thought in years.
DBleck, I know of no reason to criticize the mayor, but I do not understand why the citizens in south Poway and other high density areas do not rise up and put forth candidates who are "one of them" and will work to inject their interests into city government. Were I such a candidate I would make that a main feature of my campaign. Gary Vineyard should do just that and I hope others will follow suit..
Tom, Been there, done that, have the tire tracks across my back to show for it. Matter of fact, all three challengers in that election were from "south" Poway. Voters re-elected the two incumbents. Still have some campaign signs left from '06, though. And still attend every city council meeting.
Joe, I think you will agree Dave Grosch was an underdog in the last election, but with hard work and a platform (term limits and Wal-Mart} that resonated with the citizens of the south he was elected. I think most would agree he has and will continue to do a good job.
Had it been for the likes of Dick Lyles and Penny Ranftle he would probably never have been given the opportunity to run.
Gary Vineyard is a good, decent man who means well. Therefore, he will not win.
Betty was the last councilmember from South Poway. Look where that got us.
DBleck, surely you are not using Betty as a characterization of all people from that area, are you?
@ Vote For Gary…thanks for the compliment…and I hope you're wrong!…lol
I hope I'm wrong too Gary. Completely tongue in cheek. Sooner or later, the good people of Poway are going to get tired of the status quo.