There must be a stopping point
The possibility that a zone change might be passed, that would allow taller buildings in La Jolla and Bird Rock, is quite frightening to this native and longtime resident of La Jolla. Growth is natural, of course, and much of it has already taken place over the past years. Yet somehow at least a fraction of the old charm still remains. But there must be some stopping point, to prevent our area from turning into just another city, with no real identity. Stricter height limits need to be made, not changed to more permissive ones!

Ellen Revelle (Mrs. Roger Revelle), La Jolla

La Jolla PDO changes
What is it about the La Jolla Community Planning Association that they don’t understand about the word “Community” in their Association name? I have personally been to three well-attended public events where the unanimous comments from the community members (La Jolla citizens) have been against the two recent proposed revisions to the PDO concerning three stories and increased Floor Area Ratios. Hopefully our community is not ruled by architects, builders and developers who want to feather their financial nests, but by the voting citizens. I hope our elected officials who represent our community get the word and act accordingly.
Earl Van Inwegen, La Jolla

The PDO mystery
It is a mystery to me when I try to understand how just one man can wield enough influence to set aside the rules of the Planned Ordinance (PDO) despite the recommendations and wishes of its citizens. Architect Mark Lyon’s proposal for increasing the height and density allowance in the PDO is obviously based on business considerations rather than what is best for the community. He represents a builder looking to put up a three-story structure and is threatening to overturn the recommendations by the La Jolla Planned District Ordinance Committee (PDO Committee) by influencing the La Jolla Community Planning Association (CPA), of which he is secretary. As a longtime resident of Bird Rock, I would like to think that the La Jolla Community Planning Association, the La Jolla Town Council and their sub-committees are not populated only by architects and builders seeking to promote their own interests.
Further, architects Lyon and Morton have not offered any study to support the density increases, the effect on the utilities, the effect on services and the effect on the traffic calming measures now in place and to be implemented.
We should use independent professional help to study such sensitive areas as increasing the allowable height of buildings and the density along La Jolla Boulevard. We have had success with the recent traffic-calming measures by using such an approach to determine what was best for the community and that avoided decisions based only on emotions and/or business considerations.
Herb Paige, Bird Rock

Back Brian Bilbray now!
Attention: Losing candidates ” you’re all winners for running, but please take down your road signs now!
In this troubled period for 50th Congressional District voters, unity is vital. To recapture the seat through year-end, and to win it for two more years, Republicans, Independents, conservative Democrats and Libertarians must unite today behind Brian Bilbray. We need all candidates who lost the primary to stop sending mixed gaming signals about possible intentions to split the ideological voting in June. Be pragmatic for June 6th.
Bilbray is a balanced conservative Republican, a maverick, who votes his conscience, not the party line. He’s no liberal. He’s proven, tested, competent and he proudly stands behind his voting record in several public service posts over the past quarter century. He was a border area Congressman twice elected in a Democrat stronghold ethnic district. The AFL-CIO’s last minute, extra-million-dollar boost sacked him in his third run, in that heavily Democratic district, as punishment for his voting to impeach Bill Clinton. And yes, since leaving Congress, Bilbray has earned the bread on his family’s table by continuing to be effective in Washington, getting paid for advocating for issues in which he believes.
As Brian Bilbray can attest from his breadth of pragmatic experiences in public service, there are no uniquely Republican or Democrat solutions to war and peace, national security, taxation, medical care, sewage, air and water quality, traffic, saving coastal bluffs or protecting flora and fauna. Bilbray has in situ legislative experience in all these areas, and is a champion in immigration reform and border security. Bilbray is a proven public servant who has earned his stripes. Let’s all unite today behind Brian.
Albert Frowiss. Rancho Santa Fe

More than an issue of ‘seal’s rights’
Perhaps a little knowledge might be in order in response to the letter by Erika Mijuskovic published in your April 13, 2006 edition “Just like school-yard bullies,” page 8).
Certainly, Ms. Mijuskovic has every right to her opinion as well as her disgust over the current status of the Children’s Pool matter. However, her conclusions as to the legally complex issues of marine mammal harassment, mentality of the pro-children (versus pro-seal) activists, and the actions (or non-actions) of the city and federal agencies involved are not only inappropriate but also exhibit a clear lack of any real and objective understanding of the entire matter.
She would also like to have us all believe that the Children’s Pool is ¦ the one beach that is vital to their survival.” Of all the many wild-eyed statements made during all the years of this controversy, this may just be the most farfetched and irresponsible one I’ve heard or read and it is pure fiction.
It is said that if you repeat a lie enough times, eventually people may begin to believe it is true. Unfortunately, this has been one of the main strategies of the more fanatical “pro-seal” advocates and I’m disgusted by it! Get a clue, people! This is not about winning or losing or about the survival of the harbor seal population. It’s about what the right things to do are!
With all due respect to Ms. Mijuskovic, and to all who favor reserving the Children’s Pool exclusively for the seals, this controversy has to do with a legally binding trust agreement entered into by the City of San Diego and the People of the State of California in 1931. According to the terms of this agreement, the city has the duty to keep and maintain this specific location for public beach use and enjoyment.
I believe this is more than an issue of “seal’s rights.” It is an issue of trust, honor and the rule of law. Last year, a Superior Court case, Valerie O’Sullivan vs. The City of San Diego, was litigated and in October the city was found to be in breach of the 1931 trust and ordered to clean up the Children’s Pool site and reopen it for full public use. Initially, the city began the process of preparing reports, obtaining permits and otherwise preparing to do just that and then the City Attorney decided it was more appropriate to appeal the decision and this past winter, the City Council voted to do just that.
Forgive me but this city is close to bankruptcy, been racked by corruption, found to be in breach of a trust agreement legitimized by a predecessor City Council and has played political “hot potato” with this controversy for a decade. I say that it is time for the city to stop playing politics with this issue and to get on with it! That means they should drop this appeal and their barrier and instead, act to uphold the trust that a previous City Council placed before all future councils to honor, in perpetuity.
These are the right things to do.
Charles R. Barringer, La Jolla

No-sense smoking ban
As I read in total awe of the public’s reaction to this total useless proposed law (Letter to the editor, “Kick the litterbutts,” Village News, March 30, page 8), I have lost faith in common sense.
In the wide-open air full of pollution on a clear day socked out at sea is a dark brown band, what happens when the breeze brings it inland? Smog generated from the border of Mexico comes up the coast every day. Beach fires at night and fireplaces in homes on the beach burning wood with residue in the air.
Now cigarettes are the focal point. I live on the beach and smoke. I walk and see fewer people than ever smoking. Politicians are avoiding the real needs. Such as surfacing the streets after a large trench is dug up for the 15th time in Ocean Beach.
Our recreation center is on the verge of a shutdown in operating hours, as is currently going on with our library.
Why is it that our beach is owned by the State of California, yet people think the city has control over its governed laws? Our local representatives are at it again, stirring up the bee’s nest of restless citizens who hate and love to protest.
Laws that are enacted are hard to change. What is next? You can’t smoke in your house? Rights are being taken away every day now because people aren’t looking over the long haul of laws that can go hand in hand to strip the citizen of rights.
Let’s stop the merchants associations from using our small beach every weekend for events and causing locals to lose parking on their block where they pay high rents. Let’s stop whopping up on citizens to please a few and give local representatives an easy ride from what is really at issue in Ocean Beach and San Diego.
Paul Daughtery, Ocean Beach