What part of no”¦?
Here we go again. On May 4, 2006, the La Jolla Community Planning Association, with overwhelming, grass-roots, community support and the encouragement of Councilman Scott Peters, voted to reject a proposal to permit three-story developments in La Jolla, including Bird Rock. Mark Lyon was one of the authors of that rejected proposal.
As a resident of La Jolla, I had hoped that this would have “put a stake in the heart” of the three-story beast. Unfortunately, such is not the case. Undeterred by the May 4 vote and with what appears to be a complete disregard for the LJCPA vote and for community opinion, Mark Lyon and Michael Krambs are proposing a three-story project at the corner of La Jolla Boulevard and Bird Rock Avenue.
Having failed to convince the public to change the rules, however, they are now asking the CPA, the Town Council, and the City of San Diego to ignore the rules. At least I now have an idea of who put the “chutz” in “chutzpah.”
The issue here is quite simple. The community has spoken loud and clear on the three-stories issue and I am asking the La Jolla Community Planning Association and the La Jolla Town Council to dutifully respect the wishes of the community on this important matter. And to the gentlemen proposing the project, my question is also a simple one: “What part of NO don’t you understand?”
Jim Fitzgerald, La Jolla

The cross and a divided society
In the raging controversy about the Mount Soledad Cross and its location, the meaning of it seems to have gotten lost to those who oppose it for various reasons. This universal symbol is not exclusively for Christians, but for all mankind for the man who preached tolerance, humility and compassion and love for one’s neighbors.
With sadness and shock we are apprised about the rape of a 15-year-old girl and the cold-blooded murder of her family, reportedly by a group of American soldiers in Mahmoudiya, Iraq. While this is an exception to the rule, this tragedy is nevertheless a betrayal of the patriotism and sacrifice of the youngsters who sacrificed life and limb voluntarily there. Not to mention the negative impact it has in the world press.]
Instead of directing energy and money for the abolition of a sacred symbol like the cross, it would be far more constructive to channel the same in the fight against the entertainment section of the media, which glamorizes alcohol and drug abuse, violence and pornography, thus brainwashing millions of American youngsters: America’s future.
In the present state of worldwide strife and turmoil, is it thus necessary to try and abolish that noble symbol for all mankind and the hope for its redemption and that beautiful location for every decent human being to see?
Alfonso de Borbón, La Jolla

What is considered harassment?
I visited the La Jolla Cove and “Children’s beach” last Thursday and was delighted to see seal pups frolicking in the shallow water and going in the sand to rest with their mothers. All the other visitors with me were equally thrilled and it was an unforgettable experience. I mentioned this to several of my neighbors with young children who planned to go to watch over the weekend.
I returned Saturday only to find no seals or pups on the beach or in the water and only a few [adult] seals sunning themselves on the rock outside the beach. A notice placed by “save our seals” group stated that the seals had been disturbed by people approaching them too closely at 9:30 a.m. and had not yet returned at 4 p.m.
I returned Sunday morning to hopefully see the seals and this time there was a man standing in waist-deep water with his blanket, chair and umbrella right in the middle of the beach. He stood there the entire time I watched and did nothing but slowly turn around in the water and stared at those on shore. This kept any seals from approaching the beach. I was informed that he is one of a group of people who show up to stake his claim to use this small beach and prevent the seals from coming on the sand. This is not considered “harassment” by the local and state authorities, which is forbidden by law, but just considered his “right” to use the beach to enter or exit the water.
Needless to say, I and all others watching this selfish and arrogant person were disappointed by his behavior but were told no one, including the lifeguards, could make him leave. If the seals are protected by the marine mammal protection act, why is this tragic behavior allowed to continue and deprive our children from the wonderful experience to observe these animals in a natural setting?
I enjoy swimming at the Cove and have never needed to use the Children’s beach to enter or exit the water, and by seeing the seals there it enhances my experience to enjoy nature and our wonderful coastline.
Jack Resnick, La Jolla

An invitation to evolve
Charley Barringer seems to be very hung up on a trust agreement that is over 70 years old (Letter to the editor, “Spin and weave,” Village News. May 25, page 8). I would like to invite him to evolve with the rest of the world.
Times have changed, Mr. Barringer. The world is a different place than it was in 1931. We have swimming pools now for children, much safer than the strong currents and rocky waters of Children’s Pool.
These seals are locals, too. Their ancestors were here long before yours or mine. In the early 1900s, local fishermen killed off most of the seals in the area. After all, they couldn’t have those pesky seals eating fish that were surely put in the ocean for us land-dwelling humans!
Miraculously, the seals began to return to the area. And this newly made beach just so happened to be in the almost exact spot where past generations of seals had lived for hundreds, and probably thousands of years.
Had the original seals not been killed off by humans, they would have never left the area. And Ellen Browning Scripps surely would not have kicked them out just to build this sea wall. She would have done what thousands of other swimmers do in this city: find another beach.
Rebecca Stanger, Pacific Beach

Feline information appreciated
Thanks so much to you, Nicole Sours Larson and Mannis Communications for the very informative article about SNAP, our Neuter Scooter and “Kitten Season” (Village News, “Reducing pet overpopulation can be a SNAP,” April 6, page B-1). Several people have commented about how well written and accurate the article is ” an event that is not as frequent as it should be. And, we really appreciate the promotion and encouragement of support of SNAP’s efforts. With a second bus coming on board, community support is much needed to keep the wheels rolling through under-served neighborhoods.
We appreciate your commitment to providing public awareness about community problems and solutions. Currently, I am bottle-feeding a four-day-old kitten that was found, still covered with placenta, wet and dirty on the sidewalk in Lemon Grove early Monday morning. He/she (way too young to know) is doing very well and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be one of the lucky ones.
Foster homes are already filling up with neonatal kittens. We all hope that with persistence, public awareness and positive action that we can get ahead of the tragic cycle of feline reproduction similarly to the success we are having with dogs.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about animal related stories. If I don’t have an answer, undoubtedly I know someone who does.
Candy Schumann, Co-founder, Volunteer Executive Director, SNAP

Seeing past disabilities
MDA summer camp is not just another camp. From June 19th to 24th, more than 50 kids and adolescents ages 6 to 21 that have Muscular Dystrophy gathered along with volunteers at Camp Cuyamaca in Descanso to ride horses, play soccer and show off their skills in the camp talent show.
For children living with neuromuscular diseases in the Southern California area, this was a week when hardships were forgotten. Leg braces, surgery and fitting in with other “normal” children at school took a back seat to the new friendships made and very competitive soccer games.
This week-long camping experience is cost-free. Funds raised by MDA in events such as the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon help generate the funds required to send these kids to camp.
Please remember these campers this coming Labor Day weekend when our famous national chairman, Jerry Lewis, will be asking you for donations during the one-and-only MDA Telethon.
On behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, thank you for helping to make this a memorable experience.
Jenelle Allen, MDA Regional Public Affairs Coordinator