Letters to the editor: Issue of May 12, 2016
Leave tree alone
In response to Linda Tuan’s “Save the Trees” letter of April 14, who discovered the claustrophobic reality of Rancho Bernardo, she should be thankful she doesn’t live in Seven Oaks. There the Architectural Committee constantly reminds everyone that trees may not be taller than their houses. Thus, they ignore their own CC&Rs, which clearly grant latitude toward reason and fairness to the committee and to the board of directors.
Most recently, a resident with a 50-year-old oak tree not blocking any scenic view was told to get rid of this so-called “problem” in her yard. This despite the fact that the tree had been there for decades, having been planted long before any tree restrictions existed, and there were no prior complaints. Removal must be at her own expense. That’s right, she was directed to destroy some of her own property’s value. The complaining neighbor, who pays nothing, will not gain a scenic view because there is no view from her property expect for roof shingles and empty sky.
The Seven Oaks Architectural Committee should read beyond the first sentence of the “tree restriction” and find the “grandfather” clause in their CC&Rs. They will find that they are expected to use both reasonableness and discretion.
Mario Zanelli
Rancho Bernardo
Council disappoints
I attended the April 19 Poway City Council meeting and asked the following questions regarding the proposed new community center in Community Park:
• Has the city solicited a bid on the actual cost of a complete renovation including new plumbing and electrical, and enlarging the existing structure? I suspect the costs would be far less than demolishing the existing structure and building a new one. If not, why?
• What is the reason for the decision to finance $10 million of the $19.2 million cost? That will add an additional $11.2 million to the cost.
• Should Poway citizens have a right to vote on this? After all, we are looking at a possible cost of about $30.4 million.
The mayor and the council were very clear that they would not explore the cost of a total renovation and expansion of the existing structure. They also discussed that they expect numerous cost over runs, therefore the $30.4 million cost will be higher.
They did spend a good deal of time discussing spending an additional $1 million to move the two tennis courts for additional parking. However, they never stated how many parking spaces that would yield. What is the cost per space?
They never addressed the question of allowing the citizens of Poway to vote on this project.
I expect more from our mayor and City Council.
Richard Spilton
Poway
Enough of Hillary
Okay, by now I “get” that columnist Dick Lyles despises Hillary Clinton and in his eyes she can do nothing right. His columns are boring — merely a rewrite of how much he despises her. Nothing original.
Given his long time in Poway, it would be great to hear his thoughts about living in Poway, how Poway as a community can improve, etc. Or is he simply a “one-trick pony” doomed to espousing only about one subject? I’d rather read his thoughts about other subjects, if he has any.
I love reading about Poway’s history and how we as a community can keep coming together.
Give it a try, Mr. Lyles, I’m confident you have other thoughts outside of Hillary Clinton.
Jocelyn Scott
Poway
Unfortunate legacy
I read the May 5 column by Dick Lyles with great interest. I believe there is enough information and documents that have become public to support the contention that Hillary Clinton broke the law and jeopardized our national security. Beyond that, however, the concept that she will be found not guilty and that the entire episode will be covered up is very telling.
President Obama has politicized the IRS and attorney general’s office as well as Homeland Security and several other agencies. This will, in fact, be a substantial part of his unfortunate legacy and is part of the distrust that has swept over our country. If the FBI calls for an indictment and it is not pursued will be a telling message for us all.
Richard Taylor
Poway
Why not donate course?
In response to May 5 article on the various maneuvers sponsored by the owner of the StoneRidge Golf Course, Michael Schlesinger, I have a suggestion for Mr. Schlesinger:
Perhaps he is as middle class as most of us are. The fact that he lives in Beverly Hills and owns several golf courses reveals otherwise. If he is among the top 1 percent, why not be a philanthropist like Bill and Melinda Gates and just donate StoneRidge to the City of Poway?
Bob Kiang
Rancho Bernardo