Establish UTC as separate area
Re: opinions expressed over the naming of University City (“UC identity being stealthily stolen?,” UC/Golden Triangle News, Nov. 9, page 8), I submit the following: Back when Governor Drive was in the hinterland and the Vons shopping center at Governor and Genesee was a dirt lot, UC, the residential community was established ” long before UTC was even on Ernie Hahn’s drawing board. The homes here housed families of professionals and military personnel at UCSD and Miramar Naval Air Station. UC residents dreamt of, petitioned for, raised funding for, planned, built and dedicated churches, schools, parks and community services, not the least of which is UC High School, which was opened in 1981 to educate the community’s offspring.
It was years after UTC was established as the area mall in 1977 that a business district sprang up around it, along with condominiums and hotels. This commercial area was distinctly separate, in usage as well as geographically, and divided from the UC residential area by a canyon and a railroad track. Somehow, The Golden Triangle became a catch phrase to encompass all commercial and residential activity in these two neighboring sections of San Diego, which in reality share only two sides of the triangle.
It makes no sense to rename the core community of University City, thereby dissociating our own high school from its population base and community foundation. It makes much more sense to finally establish the UTC/business district as a separate entity with a name of its own.
Kate Walter, University City

Girl Scouts do their best
Thanks go to a generous public and thousands of Girl Scouts who supported the 10th annual "Be Your Best and Do A Good Turn" project ” a huge countywide effort that amassed tons of used clothing and household items to benefit The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC).
Girl Scouts, their troop leaders and staff helped unload donors’ cars and kept the flow of bags going onto Salvation Army trucks at eight locations throughout San Diego County. All were committed to being their best and doing a good turn.
The clothing drives have generated more than 770 tons of material over the past ten years. The donated goods are recycled and sold in our network of Salvation Army thrift stores. This is an enormous help in providing rehabilitation services for the hundreds of men and women who come through our doors each year. With this help, The Salvation Army continues to provide food, clothing, housing, counseling and spiritual guidance for the many in need.
While the collection drive marks an end to the project for this year ” a venture that helps Girl Scouts learn about recycling, community service and substance abuse prevention ” it marks a new beginning for people struggling to overcome the ravages of alcohol and drug addiction.
David Boyd, Major/Administrator
The Salvation Army ARC

Trestles and toll road don’t mix
The area in San Diego County where the toll road is being proposed is the business of all San Diegans, including the City Council. I grew up on Point Loma and now reside in San Clemente, though my parents still live on the peninsula.
The area where the toll road is proposed is a pristine riparian forest not found in too many places. It is a beautiful beach with three cobblestone point-breaks in a relatively small area. The creek comes out of the mountains to the beach, breaks through the sand berm in the wintertime and deposits literally tons of sand out into the ocean and onto the reef. Not only is the area for surfers, there are many different species of birds for the bird watchers. Beavers, snakes, deer, bobcats and salmon also inhabit this area. But foremost, it is a place that is seemingly away from it all. A giant freeway loop, split and merge would destroy that feeling.
Matt Russell, San Clemente

Feet not set in concrete
In late September, the City Council disappointed many people by refusing to go on record opposing the proposed six-lane toll road through San Onofre State Park in northern San Diego County. The proposed road would threaten a state park and coastal area regularly enjoyed by many San Diego residents.
To learn more about this important issue, Councilman Kevin Faulconer recently joined the Surfrider Foundation for a tour of the site, including the famed pristine Trestles beach. Faulconer took a good deal of time to see for himself why preserving this remaining bit of nature is so important to his constituents and the rest of San Diego.
Councilmember Faulconer will speak for himself as to whether he now wants the toll road to take an alternative route, but he deserves some recognition for not having his feet in concrete, so to speak, on the matter. We hope he joins Donna Frye, Scott Peters and Toni Atkins in supporting the resolution.
Alan Honadle
Chairman, San Diego County Chapter, Surfrider Foundation