Letters to the editor: Issue of Nov. 19, 2015

Cronin got it right

I read Barry Cronin’s Nov. 5 column and wanted to add a voice of support to his thoughts and recommendations.

I am one of the 5 million members of the National Rifle Association and support their efforts, including numerous gun training classes to insure that women and men know how to handle firearms.

When guns are outlawed, outlaws will have guns and we will be in trouble. I am tired of this socialist government continuing to take our rights away. It is time for a change

Richard Taylor

Poway

Enforce park rules

I am truly alarmed that this newspaper published the Nov. 5 guest column “Squeaky wheel dominates off-leash park debate,” a disturbing rant on a subject that was supposedly laid to rest. How can our city and neighborhood heal and move on with this “squeaky wheel” blasting the council and the neighborhood?

What is needed is consistent enforcement of the park rules. Sadly, despite the council’s vote, there are still numerous people who are using the park and neighborhood as off- leash areas. What are you modeling to children when you deliberately break rules?

Dianna Yao-Garcia

Poway

How best to use space?

Haggen will leave behind four empty vacated buildings before Thanksgiving Day in Rancho Bernardo-Poway area. The auction for these stores started last week, with Albertsons and Smart & Final, among others, making bids.

Vacant buildings in our neck of the woods? Let our imagination run a bit. What would you like to see happen in those spaces? How about a food co-op, where everyone buys shares in buying local farm fresh goods? A department store? A mini-mall? For the kids, perhaps an indoor pool or skate park?

While we wait to find out about the outcome of this merger-equity-acquisition-bankruptcy scenario perhaps we should reflect on the how and where we get our food.

Emi Kaneshiro

Rancho Bernardo

Thanks to Poway

I have been the building inspector for the City of Poway for the past 32 years. I have inspected new homes, remodels, additions and commercial buildings since 1983. I’ve probably been in most of the buildings in Poway at one time or another. I did my best to make sure that your homes and businesses were built properly and that they are as safe as possible.

I have met and worked with countless people over the years and I hope that I have made as much a difference in your lives as you have made in mine.

I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your trust and confidence in me.

I’m sure that I’ll see you around town. If you recognize me when you’re out and about, take a minute to say hello.

I will remember my years as your inspector fondly; I hope you remember me the same way.

Jim Lawler

Poway

Thanks to volunteers

The eighth annual Once Upon a Hallowe’en in Old Poway Park on Sunday, Oct. 25, was a resounding success, thanks to its many supporters and 150 volunteers from all segments of the region. Approximately 4,500 guests attended the three-hour event, which featured a Haunted House, carnival games, the locomotive, scary stories, Thriller Dancers, great food and drinks, and a replica of the Ectomobile from Ghostbusters. People’s Choice winners of the Carved Pumpkin Contest were: first place, Kellyn Revier; second place, Chris Revier; and third place, Kimberly Carr.

A heartfelt thank you to the following for their financial and/or physical support: Abraxas High School Aktion; Valerie Ann Bailey; Debbie Boyd; Dylan Brown; Trina and Gregg Brown; Jeff Carr; City of Poway; Susan and Mike Davis; Del Norte High School Key Club; Fairytale Delight Events; Emily Gallego; Donna and Terry Hayes; Myphuong Le and Roger; Miss Poway Court; Miss Rancho Bernardo Court; Roger Mohling; Poway High School AVID, Key Club and POPC; Poway Historical & Memorial Society; Poway–Midland Rail Road Volunteers; Poway Real Estate Professionals; Poway Woman’s Club; Rick Salazar; David Schmidt; Sodalirious; The Hamburger Factory Family Restaurant; The Thriller Dancers; Twin Peaks Middle School Builders Club; Westview High School Link Crew and Nerdfighters; John Wismont; Alison Wolsey; Mark Zetler and City of Poway Staff and Reserve Park Rangers, without whose participation this event would not have been possible.

Lynn Wolsey

Event chair

Poway

Poway Road is fine as is

Since incorporating in 1980 many politicians have made “fixing” Poway Road a part of their campaign theme. Until now those promises have fizzled, as many do once the campaign is over. By committing $350,000 to study the issue, the current council seems intent on more glitter and activity on Poway Road.

Since the early days of Westys Hardware and the Sears Catalogue store there have been some changes to Poway Road, but for the most part its character has not changed much. Traffic is not much worse and many mom- and-pop stores remain.

What are the true objectives for this huge project? Are they directed toward more tax revenue or an initiative for the public good? If there is a philanthropic part, just how will a new city in the “City in the Country” improve the public good and make our lives better?

Councilman John Mullin, who always seems to separate the wheat from the chaff, asked a simple question that goes unanswered. “What is the appetite for density, for more increased use?” Shouldn’t that be answered before ploughing ahead?

Nothing has been said about mitigating traffic. The big push now is to allow a 50 percent increase in density by possibly allowing three-story buildings in certain locations. How will this impact the folks who live off of Carriage Road who already have speed bumps? Will they be asking for signals in the future?

I go along with the adage “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Will Poway Road get broke because of this project? As a member of the Ad Hoc committee once said “Will Poway Road become another Mira Mesa Boulevard?

Tom Yarnall

Poway