To the gentleman who gave me his seat
You arrived in good time at Warwick’s for Danica McKellar’s talk Monday evening and had an ideal seat near the podium in the crowded room. My spouse and I arrived at about 7:29. Seeing many children seated on the floor, I told my spouse that I would squeeze in with them. You overheard and offered me your seat. Slightly embarrassed, I demurred. Smiling, you insisted. I accepted your offer.
I hope that you enjoyed the occasion as much as I did. From my heart, thank you.

Mary Krimmel, La Jolla

It takes courage to keep going
Blight in the street! Imagine the horror of poor people in La Jolla! Call the exterminator! (Guest commentary, Village News, Sept. 6, page 8.)
Of course these poor folks can’t really be poor since they have bus passes. They are only pretending to be down and out. We know that everyone in this city gets a living wage or has a roof over their head. Right? And if they are seniors, well, they can always move in with their children or get rich on welfare.
These poor folks seem to annoy Edward J Carnot no end. He spends a lot of his time following them around in order to document their misery. That’s pretty weird behavior, I would say.
If he has so much time on his hands and wants the poor off the streets, he might want to initiate a campaign to create a people-friendly community center where people can come, rest, have a meal, take a shower and get all kinds of support. Some people are too old, too sick or too beaten down by our competitive society to make a go of it. It could happen to anyone. It takes courage to keep going in an unforgiving environment. A little compassion would go a long way. It may even be good for Carnot’s disposition.

Tanja Winter, La Jolla

City will lose money and also pay
I am against dredging of La Jolla’s Seal habitat or otherwise known as “the Children’s Pool.” I think it’s one of the unique tourist attractions that San Diego offers. It brings thousands of dollars to the local economy. Being able to view wild animals in their natural habitat is a unique experience for many people.
The people for the dredging of the Children’s Pool are greedy. There are 500 miles of coastline in San Diego alone ” available for swimming, snorkeling and other water sports. Why take away a small area that the seals have called their home? It will cost the city money to embark on this project. The city will lose money rather than gain. Let’s be environmentally conscious and preserve the seal habitat instead of destroying it.
Christine Wong, SAIC, San Diego

Nickelodeon resort a done deal?
In your recent article on the proposed Nickelodeon hotel resort project (“Planners examine Nickelodeon resort proposal,” Village News, Aug. 30, page B-3), I saw no mention of its potential to negatively impact the airport.
Does it make sense for the city to approve a new 650-room hotel and 100,000-square-foot water park on a highway we say faces gridlock next to an airport we say is too cramped? And eliminate an airport parking lot to do so?
Since we voters just approved keeping the airport where it is, despite arguments about traffic and space, shouldn’t the city be supporting that vote and doing all it can to turn down optional development projects that are guaranteed to make the airport problems worse?
Perhaps readers who agree that the water park is a terrible idea for the proposed location might contact the Peninsula Community Planning Board, city Planning Commission, and City Council to let them know. I would like to think our opinion counts and that if there was sufficient opposition from airport users, the water park might be defeated. However, from the sign already on the site and the project description on the Marriott website, it would appear that this is already a done deal ” albeit a questionable one.

Mary K. Reeber, Point Loma

Early enforcement was needed
I hope everyone noticed that over half of those arrested during the Labor Day beach riot were under 21 (“Sobering reality,” Village News, Sept. 6, page 1).
We have laws ” they just need to be enforced. If the police had ticketed/arrested those under 21 for drinking or drunk in public earlier when the party started this riot may not have occurred.

Larry Clark, Mission Beach

City leaders? You’re done
The beach alcohol problem is out of control. The time for debate is over. It’s time to get rid of the roadblocks and fix it.
Mayor Sanders, as you know, politics is perception, and the perception is that you prefer to protect the profits of the alcohol and hospitality industries rather than protect the positive reputation of the city you were elected to lead.
This city dodged a bullet with the riot on Labor Day. We may not be so lucky next time ” and don’t be so naive as to believe that it won’t happen again. This wasn’t an isolated incident. I’m disgusted by your lack of leadership and forward vision for San Diego. Mayor Sanders, you’re fired. Pack up and get out.
Chief Lansdowne, you said that banning alcohol on the beach would only move the problem inland and make it more difficult to control. Where is the proof to back up this claim? Has any city that banned alcohol from their beaches experienced this problem? No.
And no city ever rescinded their ban because their police force couldn’t handle the fallout. You should have had more faith in the outstanding officers working for you. Chief Lansdowne, you’re fired. Pack up and get out.
Editors of the Union-Tribune, your editorial on Friday, Sept. 7 left no doubt that you still support alcohol on the beaches. You’ve done a great job of downplaying the riot and squelching any follow-up or commentary. As with Mayor Sanders, you don’t seem to care about the negative impact on the city. I can only surmise that your moral compass was up for bid and we now know who bought it. Editors of the Union-Tribune, you’re fired. Pack up and get out.
There, now that that’s done, the rest of us need to get to work to repair this city’s reputation and make our beaches safe for families again. Let’s get to it.
Paul Bunter, Mission Beach

Free to have a cold one
A cold brewski on the beach on a hot summer day all goes together like hot dogs in long buns and always has and is one of the most basic of freedoms that we Americans and our guests from abroad can enjoy here.
The lawmakers have already taken away too much of that particular freedom as it is. Don’t let it be taken away altogether. Creating a total ban at all beaches just because of an extremely rare and singular incident would be like closing all the schools and colleges because of the Virginia Tech incident.
It’s irrational and unreasonable. Miles of trouble-free “wet” beaches prove it every day. Don’t punish us all along the entire water line, beaches and bays, just because of a singular classroom size of unruly people on a small chunk of beach who all have gone home now anyway and won’t do it again. It’s over. Move on.
The motivation towards a booze ban is clearly fueled by, and taking advantage of, the recent solitary and extremely rare event which is clearly a springboard for overreacting booze ban zealots. Keep America’s Finest City free ” free to have a cold one on the sand on a beautiful hot day.
It shouldn’t be such a big deal.
Cheers.
Ben Harness, Point Loma

A breath away
We were out of town (as we have been the past few years during summer holiday weekends, due to excess abuse on the beach and bay) during the Labor Day beach brawl. How saddened, embarrassed and concerned we were ” when we heard from a relative across the country (who had seen on national news) that there was a riot in our neighborhood.
Were we surprised? No, It’s been a ticking time bomb.
Well, the bomb has exploded and it’s time for change. Many of us have been fighting for an alcohol ban on the beach and bay for the Fourth of July holiday. Our biggest fear was predicted: “We are a breath away from a riot.” The Labor Day holiday has now brought us the riot and embarrassing national recognition.
Please, let’s stop the years of this bureaucratic delay and do what’s right so that the summer holidays in 2008 can be peaceful for everyone.
Nanci Dalzell, Pacific Beach