Swimmer does not scare seals
I wish to bring to your attention the activities of the so-called “seal activists” at La Jolla’s Children’s Pool. I often swim there and my presence in the water has never caused any seal to move or to become scared. In fact, seals that are already in the water come over to play with the swimmers in the water. I believe strongly that your paper should shed light on the obnoxious and illegal behavior of these folks.
James Poirier,
Science teacher, La Jolla High School

Not just the stepchildren
The ban on alcohol at La Jolla beaches and city parks was never put up to a public vote. Why is it then that this issue of banning alcohol for the beaches of Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach is different? I propose, in all fairness, that the residents of the city of San Diego be given the opportunity to vote on a citywide beach and park ban or not, instead of only the stepchildren: MB, PB and OB.
The outcome might look entirely different when other areas would have to share the crime and other alcohol-related problems that come with excessive alcohol consumption. The City Council felt the crime and alcohol-related problems at La Jolla beaches and city parks had escalated to the point where it warranted the banning of alcohol use at these areas.
Mission Beach is no different in its need to be considered in the same manner. This is simply a matter of consistency. What applies to one beach within the city limits should apply to all beaches equally.
Cynthia Francisco, Mission Beach

Stop the unattractive nonsense
Pity the residents of San Diego, and the vacationers too. During my weeklong family vacation to the soft, sandy shores of Mission Beach, I was assaulted by the F-word and a wide assortment of profanity at least 100 times. Public consumption of alcohol is the norm rather than the exception; cussing and alcohol seem to go hand in hand.
Truth told, the culprits are not always the unsupervised young adults who far out-number the adults and small children who seem to live here. Very often, the crude language and rowdy behavior comes from the 40-something and older population.
Personally, I would applaud a tightening of alcohol privileges. All of San Diego is not a college campus. Why do municipal officials sanction and condone campus-like behavior in a city where people are trying to live, work and play?
Business is booming in other parts of the country where alcohol sales and consumption is highly regulated. The time has come for San Diego to put a stop to the unattractive nonsense, and move on. Reclaim the peace and beauty with which San Diego is blessed.
Barbara Dargis, Palos Park, Ill.

Toll road must comply with standards
Bravo to our Congresswoman, Susan Davis, who secured House passage of repeal of the law which now exempts the toll road through San Diego’s San Onofre State Park from environmental approvals.
Davis won repeal of the exemption in the House Armed Services Committee (the park is on federal land ” Camp Pendleton) on a vote of 30-27, and then the full House passed her amendment. Senator Boxer said she’ll support the Davis amendment, but Senator Feinstein is reportedly undecided.
Passage of the Davis amendment wouldn’t block the toll road, but make it comply with the same environmental standards and approvals as must other projects.
I camped at San Onofre last weekend, and it was great to see so many families and their kids enjoying a bit of nearby nature. Let’s keep it available that way.

Bill Collins
President, League of Conservation Voters
San Diego (LCVSD.org)