More on Whitney building I very much appreciate the accurate reporting that Ms. Tillman of your paper has done, and also, I would like to request that the attached information be presented. 1. An architect’s statement During my 54 years as an architect designing projects for individuals, developers and institutions, and as a resident of La Jolla Shores, I have witnessed that they have always given back space and setbacks to their community, causing their own development to be enriched as well as those properties of their neighbors. Although those clients demanded distinctive design it had to be in context with that of the adjacent architecture  The design of the proposed building in the heart of La Jolla Shores does neither. I have been a volunteer on the La Jolla Shores Architectural Review Committee for over 15 years. I joined to protect property rights of the property owner but not the right to compromise the welfare of their residential neighbors and devalue their property, as well as, and most importantly, destroy the distinctive identity of La Jolla Shores as one of the outstanding communities of the Pacific Coast. La Jolla Shores must remain world-renowned. Dale Naegle, La Jolla Lightner applies brakes to Traffic Circle Thanks to everyone who has communicated with my office in recent months regarding the proposed traffic circle at the intersection of Silverado, Prospect and Draper. In July, I requested that the Engineering and Capital Projects Department stop the funding of the traffic circle and instead pursue funding for other, higher priority transportation projects in La Jolla. The Engineering Department presented an informational update on the traffic circle to the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Board on Sept. 24. At this meeting, many community members echoed my concerns that this project was not a high priority for La Jolla, that it had not been approved by the community, and that the funds for the traffic circle could be better spent on other transportation projects in La Jolla. Recently, our office and La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Chair Todd Lesser met with the Engineering Department, and they have agreed to shelve the Silverado Traffic Circle based on these community concerns. There was no hard currency set aside for this project — the department had planned to borrow money to construct the traffic circle. Instead, they will proceed with pursuing funding for other projects in La Jolla, including the Torrey Pines Corridor Project. The Engineering Department is still awaiting receipt of $500,000 in?stimulus funding from the federal government for the design of the?Torrey Pines Corridor Project. After the funding is received and the department has some preliminary designs ready, they will come back to the community with an update and to get feedback on which items contained in the Torrey Pines Corridor Project are the top priorities. These updates will be presented first at the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Board. For more information on the board, or to sign up for their e-mail list, please visit www.lajollacpa.org and click on “subscribe,” or contact Traffic and Transportation Board Chair Todd Lesser at [email protected]. We will be providing additional updates on the Torrey Pines Corridor Project as they become available. Thanks again for your continued interest in La Jolla transportation projects. Councilmember Sherri S. Lightner Government-run health care not the answer So, you think that government-run health care is an option? Let’s take a look at government-run programs like Social Security and education as current examples. Social Security is set to run out; education is taking a hit like I can’t believe. We actually think they can handle public-option health care?  I’m ready to jump on the school voucher bandwagon. According to the latest Census Bureau statistics, California spends $9,152 per student for public education. Well, give me $8,000 of that for my students and I will choose the private school I want to send my kids to. If the federal, state and local governments can’t figure out how to pay for education, then let the parents figure it out.  I’m just amazed that we, the people, sit back and watch our national debt rise and do nothing. Yes, change needs to be made, but not on the back of our national debt. Change the way we provide programs — let middle America small business audit big government-run programs and watch how much fat can be cut, red tape can be eliminated and unnecessary spending be stopped. I would love a chance at that. Pat Hom, Pacific Beach