Can’t have it both ways
In a recent public document, “Airport Authority Answers Commentary,” Thella F. Bowens, president/CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, made some interesting, however conflicting statements, a few of which I’d like to comment on.
In the last sentence of the first paragraph, Ms. Bowens states,
” “¦ it is unknown at this point if relocation of these freeways would ultimately be necessary.” OK, that’s great, let us make some assumptions, which will be justified later. Let’s move the two proposed commercial runways so the east ends align with east end of existing military runways. Then we will slide the proposed commercial runways in a northerly direction until the north proposed commercial runway coincides with the longest military runway. The south proposed runway is now approximately 2,000 feet from the freeway, which will have incoming aircraft at an altitude on the order of less than 200 feet. Does this require freeway relocation? Looking at a map, one will note I-15 curves to the east and back as it passes the existing military runway. The Airport Authority after three years and about $17 million says they don’t know the runway location or if the freeways have to be moved. Yet, they want us to vote for their proposed scheme anyway. That just doesn’t make sense.
In paragraph four, she says, ¦ If only civilian aircraft were flying out of Miramar “¦” which indicates the desire of the Airport Authority to force the Marines out of MCAS Miramar. Later in her summary, she says, “There is no attempt by the San Diego Country Regional Airport Authority to move the military out of Miramar.” Which is it? However, she does validate our assumptions made above on moving the proposed commercial runways.
In the final paragraph, first sentence, it is stated, “In summary, there is no attempt by the San Diego Country Regional Airport Authority to move the military out of Miramar.” Sure! However, this statement is in conflict with the statement made earlier, “if only civilian aircraft were flying out of Miramar.” Which is it? We can’t have it both ways, or are these conflicting statements intentionally made in an attempt to mislead voters? Remember the chair of the Site Selection Committee has stated publicly that joint use won’t work. Then why is it on the ballot?
In regard to the last sentence of paragraph 12, it states, ¦ potential adverse impacts to endangered species require mitigation measures.” I am sure Ms. Bowens and other authority members attended the recent forum on Aug. 17 at Scripps Ranch High School where the Marines showed the high density and location of endangered species and sensitive areas. This density would make the mitigation risky and costly with a low probability of success.
There are more points Ms. Bowens made we could comment on but we will save those for another time.
Gene Perusse, University City

School story gets an ‘A’
I just wanted to write and thank you for the wonderful article Ms. Adriane Tillman wrote about our school (“Integral Elementary offers an alternative,” Village News, Aug. 31, page 1). I am sometimes leery when reporters do news stories, as I have seen several cases when words get twisted or used out of context, and the story does not say what you intended. I am happy to say that your reporter got it spot on. It is pretty much exactly what I said, in proper context, and I feel tells the public about our new school very well!
So hats off to you all for your great staff, and thank you so much for taking the time to find out about us and let the community know about us. We are excited to start here and anticipate a great relationship with the La Jolla family.
Carla Gerstein, Integral Elementary, www.IntegralElementary.com

Red herrings are not an endangered species
Those concerned that the seals at Children’s Pool are being inconvenienced really should focus on actual environmental problems instead. While I’m sure their heart is in the right place, their efforts could be productively spent working on actual environmental problems, of which there are more than enough to go around.
Patrick Lee Hord II cites some examples (Letter to the editor, “Less is not more,” Village News, Aug. 31, page 8): ” “¦ harp seals shot and clubbed to death by Canada “¦ Namibia is clubbing and stabbing over 85,000 Cape fur seals “¦ The last 100 gray whales are threatened with extinction as Shell Oil plans offshore platforms “¦ Harbor and gray seals are routinely shot by fisherman in the U.K. “¦ California sea lions are falling prey to toxic algal blooms “¦ There are only 2,000 Indian manatees left in Florida “¦ Southern resident orcas in Vancouver now number 89 due to the effects of “¦ toxins.”
So, my suggestion to the Children’s Pool seal ‘protectors’ is the following: You’ve got the enthusiasm; you’ve got the commitment. Use those qualities to work on a real environmental problem. Maybe select from the list above. Or pick your favorite endangered species or habitat. Volunteer for environmental programs sponsored by the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund or any of the many, many other worthwhile programs which are focused on solving real problems in the environment. Don’t be afraid of doing some actual work. The effort you put in will be more than compensated by the satisfaction of having contributed to resolving a real problem.
So, don’t waste effort on a non-problem. Harbor seals are not now and never have been endangered. The 100-200 seals at Children’s Pool are basically insignificant as far as the species “Harbor seal” is concerned. Get out there with all that enthusiasm and commitment and go to work on a real environmental problem. Harbor seals at Children’s Pool don’t need you, but there are many, many species and habitats that do. Get to work!
Steve Roberts, La Jolla