RB readers offended by begging letter

Jeannie Winton’s July 8 letter (“No begging in RB”) was appalling and did not deserve space in your otherwise fine newspaper.

We are living in an unprecedented time of economic perils — and uncertainty. I am always ever grateful for

 the opportunity to give to those on our street corners in Rancho Bernardo. No, I am not an Obama liberal. I prefer to see these people on our street corners as people asking and reaching out for help, rather than the writer’s use of the word, “begging.” Contrary to what Ms. Winton writes, I feel that in this fine little town it is “classy and sophisticated” — and Judeo-Christian — to give to those less fortunate. And yes, I gladly gave to the elderly gentleman with the little dog, in the hopes that he would have enough for his pup as well.

Ms. Winton may better serve our community and country by going after the liberal politicians who are bankrupting our country with trillion-dollar bailouts and unearned entitlements to the illegal immigrants who are a drain on our economy. We the taxpayers are forced to pay taxes for these handouts that for the most serve only the insatiable politicians.

There are also illegals here on our RB street corners. Have you seen them, Ms. Winton? They are here illegally, using taxpayers’ money for entitlements to which they are not entitled. Why not go after them?

In the meantime, let’s continue to help our own citizenry less fortunate than ourselves whenever and wherever we can.
Marie Woodruff
Rancho Bernardo


I can not believe last week’s “No begging In RB” letter. Does the author not watch the news?

We are in the middle of the worst recession in decades, making our way out of it is what we need to concentrate on.

The writer states, “There are many organizations that are willing to help if they sincerely wanted help — not just tax-free cash in hand.” Aside from the comment being very rude, many organizations have had their funding cut and are unable to help anyone. Many employees of said organizations are looking for work themselves. The unemployment rate is in double digits.

What I find most ignorant and very sad about this letter is the tone of disgust in which it is written. It’s as if the author finds the less fortunate beneath her, in her mind they are not worthy of help, certainly not in her classy, sophisticated city.
The author has no empathy or compassion for the less fortunate. She’s lucky she has never been hungry, never been without shelter or clothes, never had to leave “the castle.” That’s not the real world, and that’s not RB, people have lost their jobs, their homes, there cars, their way of life.

Instead of degrading people who have fallen on hard times, let down the drawbridge, cross the moat, and volunteer to help. You may find the rewards in helping someone far outweigh the satisfaction in degrading them.
Mara Boras-Gedanken
Rancho Bernardo


Time for Poway to move forward

The last several months may well have been the most politically turbulent period in Poway’s history. But it is behind us. I believe it is time to look forward and it is time to move forward.

We all want to do what is best for Poway. If we keep that objective in mind — even though we may disagree on some of the steps along the way — the interests of the citizens of Poway will be served.

For neither the first nor last time, I want to say thank you to my supporters for their help, for their enthusiasm and for their votes.

The most common sentiment expressed to me and by me over the last several months is that Poway is a wonderful place to live. And it is. I look forward to working with the rest of the city’s leadership team to do what is best for Poway and to assure that it remains a wonderful place to live.
Councilman John Mullin
Poway


Lighting study disappoints

I was dismayed but not overly surprised by the rubber stamp approval of LSW Engineers given to north Poway’s nighttime lighting plans for their southern neighbors at Arbolitos field.

If you lived in downtown San Diego or anywhere close to Los Angeles, you probably wouldn’t notice the extra light pollution. LSW and the like make their money giving cover and telling municipalities how to do what they want. For them, closer to city center and blinded by the green glow of their computer screens and simulations, the extra light wouldn’t matter.

Here in Poway, at least for now, things are a bit different. The high intensity lights will not only impact you — and have no doubt that they will — but they will also drastically affect the wildlife that coexists with us here and now. One wonders what will happen to the local bat populations that keep down the mosquitoes, or the barn owls that help to keep the rats out of your homes, when the proposed towering lights arrive and disturb their nocturnal activities.

Sadly, this debacle is just politics as usual, with the rich and powerful exercising their greater rights over the poor and helpless voters. Though, come to think of it, I suppose one way to keep the rats out does come up in November.
Peter De Hoff
Poway


FFA’s help appreciated

I would like to publicly thank the Poway High School Future Farmers of America program for allowing the Peas and Carrots 4-H to use some of their barn space.
Peas and Carrots 4-H is a program for students with special needs and their families to enjoy the 4-H experience. Poway’s FFA group allowed our kids to use their barn the last two years to raise animals to show at the San Diego County Fair. This year the four lambs we raised all earned blue ribbons and two of them won their respective classes. More importantly, our kids had a chance to learn responsibility and the value of hard work.

The students at Poway High were helpful, courteous, and treated our special needs kids with kindness and warmth.
Debi Norris
Poway