{"id":249204,"date":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/letters-to-the-editor-sept-25\/"},"modified":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T07:00:00","slug":"letters-to-the-editor-sept-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/letters-to-the-editor-sept-25\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters to the editor \u2013 Sept. 25"},"content":{"rendered":"

Height limits in Hillcrest<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Gilman talks about his property and Pernicano\u2019s [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly\/1OcQ690<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Great article, Ken and San Diego Uptown News!<\/p>\n

Recently there have been several heated discussions on Facebook regarding the height limit in Hillcrest. I\u2019ve said it before, and I will say it again. I was 4 years old the last time this plan was updated in the 1980s. The predictable future is that a plan implemented today, will have long lasting effects until I am 50-60 years old. (I\u2019m in my 30s now).<\/p>\n

We live in a world-class city. People like me are choosing to live and open our businesses in Uptown because we love the area. But we must also plan for OUR future. And for a lifestyle that we want to have in our future.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to live in Mayberry when I\u2019m 60. I want a vibrant community, with arts, culture, great dining, safe streets and all the things that will once again make us one of America\u2019s Best Neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

The line between preservationism and obstructionism is a well-defined line. And sadly I feel many in this community fall into obstructionism.<\/p>\n

This community has an opportunity to be a part of Main Street USA, and to preserve what is worth preserving, and develop what isn\u2019t. We have an opportunity to impact a project that will forever define not just our skyline, but also the vitality and life of this community.<\/p>\n

Its time we start putting preservation and revitalization in the same sentence. Through education, training, case-studies, and peer-to-peer learning, the national Main Street program can equip our community with the tools it needs for long-term, comprehensive, preservation-based community revitalization.<\/p>\n

That to me is what Mr. Gilman and Mr. Harmer are asking for, from this community. I, for one, am ready for something bigger.<\/p>\n

\u2014Eddie Rey via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds like a great plan! We definitely need more population density in Hillcrest.<\/p>\n

If people wonder why so many businesses are closing, a huge factor is that we have the costs of a major city but the population density of a suburb. No one wants to turn Hillcrest into Downtown, but taller buildings for apartments or condos in carefully chosen locations with minimal impact on the environment would help keep our neighborhood vital and provide jobs for our neighbors.<\/p>\n

\u2014Brian via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

So there is no buyer for the Pernicano\u2019s site anymore? LOL!<\/p>\n

Looks like the Uptown Planners are getting exactly what they deserve … Another 20 years of boarded-up business right in the heart of Hillcrest! Bravo to them for lacking vision and keeping Hillcrest stuck in the 1980s. Will be interesting to see how many more vacant spaces will be popping up in that stagnant neighborhood.<\/p>\n

\u2014Justin G. via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

What has happened to Hillcrest?<\/p>\n

On one side you have established residents who have closed the door behind them to any new housing or hotels in the area. They enjoy all the conveniences of an urban neighborhood, but don\u2019t want to share them with others because: traffic, parking, property values.<\/p>\n

On the other side you have established Hillcrest businesses who have laid claim to our public street space, and lobby SANDAG to kill its $40 million dollar bike lane project \u2014 because street parking is more important than people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

Sounds like a match made in heaven. I\u2019ll continue to support more vibrant neighborhoods like North Park, Little Italy and East Village that are truly inclusive \u2014 not the sad, selfish place Hillcrest has become.<\/p>\n

\u2014<\/em>Paul Jamason via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll tell you what\u2019s \u2018historic\u2019 \u2026 The Gilman\/City Deli\/Kahn Building is historic, and the facades should be saved! This block has some of the most unique buildings that make Hillcrest what it is \u2026 We can have it all \u2026 The \u201cfuture\u201d but with this iconic building on the corner that should be respected and included in the new designs \u2026 good designers\/architects can make it happen! This corner building (Sixth and University) is as important as the Hillcrest sign to the community.<\/p>\n

\u2014Gregory May via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

As a side note, Mission Hills brought two of the key buildings\/block of their business district from a bad remodel, and is a central focal point to what we think of as \u201cMission Hills.\u201d Also, Hillcrest itself had a building that was horribly remodeled in the \u201860s, then restored in the \u201880s, and we wouldn\u2019t dream of that corner being any other way (NE Fifth and University avenues).<\/p>\n

Respecting the old and updating other elements is the right thing to do in these old neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

Kahn Building:\u00a0goo.gl\/0fDFHa<\/a>
\nKahn Building:\u00a0goo.gl\/u1XT8a<\/a><\/p>\n

NW Fifth and University:\u00a0goo.gl\/V1EUzG<\/a>
\nNW Fifth and University:\u00a0goo.gl\/MtgDGb<\/a><\/p>\n

Mission Hills:\u00a0goo.gl\/ZNrrcI<\/a>
\nMission Hills:\u00a0goo.gl\/maps\/8M4CZ<\/a>
\nMission Hills:\u00a0goo.gl\/mbVwut<\/a>
\nMission Hills:\u00a0goo.gl\/maps\/bnLQM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014Gregory May via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

With the fire station in need of replacing\/relocating, has the idea of the property at Pernicano\u2019s been considered for the new fire station?\u00a0Makes more sense to me and the community. Wondering if you could investigate this.<\/p>\n

\u2014Jeffrey Lockhart via email<\/em><\/p>\n

[Editor\u2019s note: With an asking price exceeding $12 million, the Pernicano\u2019s property would be out of the city\u2019s price range.]<\/em><\/p>\n

Prager Brothers the \u2018real deal\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Making \u2018bread the old way\u2019 [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly\/1NBqClD<\/a>]<\/p>\n

My life is about finding the best of the best with ultimate honesty and accuracy. It\u2019s bait I keep out in front of me to avoid the trappings of ordinary and average. The Prager Brothers hold to the code of \u201creal deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucia Viti is an exceptional human who not only motivates hundreds before daybreak, but who has a passion to find extraordinary talent whether fitness culture or connoisseurs.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d say the 2 are 1.<\/p>\n

So happy to see she found the Brothers Prager and bangs the drum of goodness as it should be.<\/p>\n

\u2014Bradlee via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

Goodbye Chargers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Letters to the editor [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly\/1Lwp2vo<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Letter writer Daniel Smiechowski compares the Chargers staying in San Diego with the “significance of the divine upon culture and society.”\u00a0Really?<\/p>\n

Mr. Smiechowski regales us with stories of his youth in Milwaukee and telling of his fondness for his old baseball team.\u00a0He also talks about the religious nature of sporting rituals like tailgating and face painting. And because football is now, according to him, on par with church, it is up to the city to fund a new stadium for the Chargers because, after all, it’s just another public park.<\/p>\n

No, Mr. Smiechowski, it isn’t.\u00a0A public park is just that, a park for the public, available everyday for those who wish to use it.\u00a0A stadium is a whole other animal.\u00a0Seating for the public is actually secondary in stadiums these days.\u00a0What stadiums are now are homes for luxury suites, restricted access eating areas, and advertising mediums. And most of the time they sit empty, taking up valuable space, fenced off from the general public.<\/p>\n

But I guess Mr. Smiechowski got a little spoiled living in Milwaukee because it was that city that was the first to publicly fund a major league stadium.\u00a0Since that time, it’s been a race by sports organizations to get communities to finance, in total or in part, the most luxurious accommodations possible.\u00a0His beloved Braves moved on to the greener pastures of Atlanta, because that city could build them a better stadium.<\/p>\n

I, too, remember when the Rockets left for Houston.\u00a0Was I sad? Yes.\u00a0Do I have fond memories of that era? Yes.\u00a0Do I miss having them in San Diego? Not really. And while I have watched and rooted for the Chargers since their 1961 arrival, I will be sad if they leave, I will have fond memories of them, but I will move on and not particularly miss having them here.\u00a0And I will be glad that not one public dollar is spent so Mr. Smeichowski can continue to paint his face.<\/p>\n

\u2014Rob Cohen of Kensington via email<\/em><\/p>\n

Have you seen the trash in Hillcrest?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Letters to the editor [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly\/1Lwp2vo<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Maybe letter writer Jessica of Normal Heights hasn’t been to Hillcrest yet! The streets in any direction of University Avenue are disgusting with litter.<\/p>\n

The weekend of San Diego LGBT Pride had to be shameful for anyone visiting here or living here. Five blocks in any direction the streets were deplorable with trash, beer bottles, cigarette butts and barf! It wasn’t until the following Tuesday before anyone, I guess, cared enough to clean the streets and area sidewalks and yards!<\/p>\n

Has anyone been to the Hillcrest post office lately? How much longer is that homeless encampment going to be there? Since when does the post office allow this filth to accumulate? Maybe it’s time the Hillcrest Business Association and Councilmember Todd Gloria\u00a0start collecting a “clean-up” fee from every business tenant in the area, and use it to hire a daily cleanup crew! That, plus get the police to start acknowledging these throngs of homeless “residents.”<\/p>\n

This city also needs to start addressing the gang of recyclers who mob the bins the night before trash pickup. Unbelievable. I think every receptacle set out for recycling and trash pickup gets gone through at least 20 times a night,\u00a0and each time a little more mess is left on the street. The city should also make it mandatory that all dumpsters be fitted with locks to keep the trash in, instead of around the ground! Where has the pride of our communities gone? Members of the community want to keep the pride, but with NO help from the mayor\u2019s office or the City Council, what can residents do, but shake our heads in disgust!<\/p>\n

\u2014Bob in Hillcrest via email<\/em><\/p>\n

Woeful neglect of Balboa Park<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Readers poll [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly\/1itcyO9<\/a>]<\/p>\n

I do not think the city is doing enough for Balboa Park. They have spent 2 million dollars on this effort for the Chargers and a new stadium … wanting gore for the peasants over something all can enter and enjoy.<\/p>\n

This reminds me of the ancient Romans throwing bread to keep the rabble stuffing their faces versus rioting. Watch hotdogs, popcorn and candy being eaten at the stadium. See any similarities? Yes, much of Balboa Park needs help but who cares when you can have a state-of-the-art stadium for the few who can afford a ticket? People come from all over the world to Balboa Park, not for football. It’s a treasure but is being trashed by the city.<\/p>\n

\u2014Dianne Obeso via email<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018A waste of our taxpayer dollars\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Uptown parking district explores new ways to \u2018Access Hillcrest\u2019 [Volume 7, Issue 18 or at bit.ly\/1NnSmdp<\/a>]<\/p>\n

So the head of our parking district does not want to increase parking spaces? That is a waste of our taxpayer dollars! Public funds for parking need to be used to increase public parking spaces!<\/p>\n

\u2014Bill Christiansen via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

Liberal column?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Congressional Watch, September 2015 [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly\/1F0Up4o<\/a>]<\/p>\n

You should be more honest. This is not a \u201cCongressional Watch\u201d\u2026 this is a very liberal \u201cPro-Democrat Congressional Cheering Watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Bill Christiansen via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

Happy about 25th Street improvements<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: 25th Street project is done, but some say city \u2018missed an opportunity\u2019 [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly\/1LwsfuL<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Ruchell Alvarez, chair of the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee, seems to think 25 mph isn\u2019t enough for a community street. There are plenty of freeways nearby for drivers to move quickly, and the bulb-outs are a huge improvement if you walk, cycle, skateboard, etc. They\u2019re better for drivers, too \u2014 if you can\u2019t manage not to cut corners while turning, you\u2019re probably not a great driver.<\/p>\n

\u2014Robert via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

Reverse angle parking is safer for people on bikes because drivers have difficulty seeing bicyclists when pulling out of a head-in parking space. If they \u201cdon\u2019t work for some drivers,\u201d they probably shouldn\u2019t be driving in the first place.<\/p>\n

Pedestrian pop-outs are safer for people on foot because they reduce crossing distance and calm traffic.<\/p>\n

Perhaps Ms. Alvarez offered suggestions that were not included here, but she only seems concerned with driver convenience and speed. This project\u2019s improvements are meant for all users of our public streets, not just drivers.<\/p>\n

San Diego is now a Vision Zero city, with a goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. It\u2019s troubling that someone with such outdated views is the head of a city community planning group \u2014 but hardly surprising.<\/p>\n

\u2014Paul Jamason via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Looks too drastic\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: Big changes underway at iconic \u2018Mister A\u2019s building\u2019 [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly\/1LwttpM<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Work they are doing looks too drastic. Not sure they are doing right by this building.<\/p>\n

\u2014Gregory May via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

Supports TargetExpress<\/strong><\/p>\n

Re: TargetExpress to open in South Park in the fall [Volume 7, Issue 14 or bit.ly\/1SJSO3H<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Good idea. Open a store that is closer.<\/p>\n

\u2014Claudia Alvarez via Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Submit letters to the editor to Ken@sdcnn.com<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Height limits in Hillcrest Re: Gilman talks about his property and Pernicano\u2019s [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly\/1OcQ690] Great article, Ken and San Diego Uptown News! Recently there have been several heated discussions on Facebook regarding the height limit in Hillcrest. I\u2019ve said it before, and I will say it again.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":726,"featured_media":249203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"11555","_seopress_titles_title":"Letters to the editor \u2013 Sept. 25","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[11551,11593,11552,11555],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-249204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-no-images","category-opinion","category-uptown-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/726"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249204\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}