Our readers write: Issue of July 28, 2016
The best of times
Columnist Dick Lyles (July 14) shoots down his own argument when he says that in the 21st century we Americans are living in the best time in history. I agree, but guess what? In the first half of this century so far, a Republican president started two wars, which we are still fighting, and oversaw the worst financial disaster since the Great Depression. That means that in the last eight years, a Democratic president and his secretary of state, trying to work with a noncompliant Congress, has by some miracle, managed to get us back to the best time in history.
During all that time I’ve never heard one hateful comment from either. I wish I could say the same about Dick Lyles.
Scott Currier
Poway
Bag ban is wrong
The San Diego City Council’s banning of plastic bags is unacceptable for the following reasons:
1) Plastic bags could be recycled with each store having recycled bins for plastic bags welcoming any bag from any store, such as our local Albertson’s once did.
2) The disturbing issue of customers bringing their own plastic invokes a serious health problem of bacteria laden, dirty, sometimes cat- and dog-hair coated bags into their store. Most likely they are placed into the trunk or back seat of a car after their contents are emptied. I began noticing this years ago when I visited a family member and frequented the upscale Santa Monica’s charming Pavilion store (a division of Vons).
3) Here in the Poway/Rancho Bernardo area, I observed the equally disgusting practice. After witnessing the display of “from home bags,” I asked the clerk afterward what she thought of this practice. Instantly, she replied “They also smell and I hate to even touch these bags.” The clerks do not wear gloves. Bags placed on the conveyor belt ahead of the next customer where they place their soon to be purchased goods is beyond disturbing.
4) Disposing bones and raw meats, chicken, fish etc., or spoiled foods must be done in plastic bags. It is a health hazard otherwise.
Christine Stenstrom
Poway
Who protects taxpayers?
The recent revelations regarding the Poway Unified School District superintendent and the City of Poway make me wonder how they went unnoticed. If I entered unearned vacation hours into my time keeping system, as is alleged by former school Supt. John Collins, it would say “no.” Allegedly undercharging thousands of dollars over time, as is alleged with the city and both Pomerado Hospital and the Sportsplex park, is slightly more egregious than not telling the waitress she left the nachos off the bill.
Are we to believe there is no oversight, no checks and balances, no one verifying time sheets or accounts and making sure payments due are received? Who’s protecting the taxpayer? I guess it’s possible.
If I got fired I’d get two weeks’ pay and escorted to the door, ensuring I wasn’t stealing office supplies. I understand contracts, but failure to uphold your end of the bargain shouldn’t warrant a taxpayer-funded golden parachute, which seems to be the case with the former Poway city manager. And who is paying for the lawyers and settlement negotiations?
It’s bad enough federal and state governments are inept and languish in a stupor of inaction, now I have to worry about the city and school district.
Tom Drzewiecki
Poway
Teach our boys well
Whether you believe it is political correctness run amok or a desire to be more inclusive, gender neutral bathrooms are looking to stay. Assembly Bill 1732 mandates that single-occupancy bathrooms in the state of California be “all-gender,” a vote that passed 52 to 18 with the support of three Republicans.
However, right-wing males in the Committee of Appropriations will oppose this bill by masking themselves under the veil of chivalry. Claiming that gender neutral bathrooms open the door to sexual predators, many are operating as if they are the knight in shining armor to women facing assault. In reality, women have faced sexual exploitation in college, public places and even their own homes for years. So why shouldn’t men be outraged daily? Furthermore, a small plastic sign will neither deter nor attract an attacker from assaulting a college student at two in the morning or a jogger in the park because such a person is already beyond the reason of the law.
So instead of protesting outside the nearest school district office or starting a feud on an internet forum, we need to start by addressing the problem at its core. We need to teach our boys not to rape women, instead of teaching our daughters how to avoid rape situations. We need to reform a sexist school dress code that is unfair to girls and undervalues a boy’s maturity. We need to stop prolonging the stereotype that “boys will be boys.”
Mason Shields
Poway
Wrong site for vets
Regarding the San Diego Habitat for Humanity’s proposal to build 26 two-story townhomes on 2 acres on Twin Peaks Road, next to the Circle K store, I think this is the wrong location. The location will have parking, but will spill over into residential streets.There is limited bus service and no shopping in walking distance for these potential homeowners. Twin Peaks Road near Espola Road is a nightmare during high use hours and having at least 26 more cars pulling onto Twin Peaks daily.
Cal Vet was to partly fund the project, but the agency pulled out and now it’s not clear how Habitat can actually restrict this housing to veterans.
These and many more issues were brought up to the City Council at the July 19 meeting. You can see the whole meeting on the City Council webpage at Poway.org. I encourage neighbors to get involved and see how this high density housing will affect community on Twin Peaks Road. I love the veterans. I’m one myself, but they deserve better.
It seems two council members, Jim Cunningham and John Mullin, are the primary pushers of this project. They have shown their lack of true interest in really rethinking this project. They wanted to get that “up or down” vote this week, but must have been surprised when 100 or so neighbors showed up to the meeting. No wonder people distrust government.
Michele Bru
Poway
Editor’s note: A council workshop on the proposal has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 in the council chambers.