Fiddling with the cross while Rome burns
La Jolla’s a wonderful place! While elsewhere round the world, wars, famines, diseases and earthquakes kill thousands of people every year, here grown-up citizens for many years devote hundreds of hours, and doubtless thousands of dollars in legal fees, debating whether a cross on a hill is offensive or unconstitutional and, if so, what to do about it.
Ralph Lewin, La Jolla

Soledad solution too simple, won’t work
By adding two additional arms to the Mount Soledad Cross, it may be possible to turn the cross into a structure that would resemble a Compass Rose. And adding letters, one at the end of each arm representing the four main directions of a compass, would then clearly indicate that the arms represent the four points of a compass. A circular steel rod, connected to the four arms, to indicate the minor points of the Compass Rose could be added.
This solution might be enough to satisfy everyone. The individuals who would like to see the cross remain in place would be free to interpret the structure as two crosses: One facing east and west, and one facing north and south.
The individuals that do not want a religious symbol on Mount Soledad would have a gigantic Compass Rose that is clearly not a religious symbol.
This solution is far too simple, consequently that means it will not work.
Joseph J. Manno, La Jolla

Circling the wagons, La Jolla-style
How proud I am to be a La Jollan after we all banded together to thwart the threat of big builders. I was thrilled to see us “circle the wagons” to defeat special interest money which wanted to destroy the essence, beauty and spirit of our village.
The experience showed us that we in have what it takes to chart our own destiny. The next time we join forces as La Jollans, let’s hope it’s to break away from San Diego, at last becoming our own independent city.
Jerry Cesak, La Jolla

Did you know?
“¢ “Three Stories” will not be decided by you, other La Jollans, or the CPA organization.
“¢ Rather ” The future of La Jolla will be decided by the City of San Diego.
“¢ This does not have to be ” due to recent changes in the law, La Jollans can decide their own future by La Jolla becoming its own city.
“¢ An Initial Feasibility Study has been completed which shows La Jolla can afford to be its own city ” and generate sufficient revenue to sustain itself ” even if it has to pay San Diego a mitigation fee for its Independence.
If you think La Jolla should decide its own future ” help make La Jolla its own city.
Join Independent La Jolla.
Melinda Merryweather, La Jolla

Take back the reins
On behalf of the ad hoc citizens group, NoThirdStory, I would like to express our appreciation and congratulations to the thousands who participated in defeating the Three-Story zoning change proposal. Thousands of citizens signed our petition; hundreds put out yard signs, delivered fliers door to door, and wrote to our city officials. And well over 400 attended the May 4 meeting at which the overwhelming show of community opposition defeated the proposal. You saved the day!
The meeting, while dramatic, tense and testy at times, produced a first-step victory and showed the backbone of La Jollans. The fact that it was such a close vote (5-4), despite overwhelming opposition, revealed the arrogance of the current CPA board and shows we can’t rest on our laurels. The developers’ interests, who run the CPA and manipulate the rules for their own benefit, are sure to try again. La Jolla is just too tantalizing for them to leave alone.
Hopefully, with the help of the City Attorney’s office as well as the organization that filed a lawsuit to remedy the CPA’s wrongs, we can take back the reins and return to proper and thoughtful stewardship of our very special coastal town.
So, now is the time to talk seriously about how we can protect La Jolla and plan intelligently for its future. Please come to a NoThirdStory Community Meeting on Tuesday, May 16 for an update on the aftermath of the three-story proposal, the lawsuit against the CPA, and to discuss the next steps needed to ensure that future decisions are made in the best interest of all La Jollans ” residents as well as businesses and developers.
See you Tuesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center.
Dr. Kenneth E. Wright For NoThirdStory, La Jolla

Get rid of the hanky wringing
In response to Erika Mijuskovic’s letter to the editor (“Just like school-yard bullies,” Village News, April 13, page 8), please, when we consider the seal issue, let’s get rid of all the hanky wringing and the pathetic attempts to rewrite history.
First off, there is no such place as Casa Beach. It is the Children’s Pool. I know Casa Beach is so much less controversial, but your attempts to rename it make you look especially silly.
Before 1931, beaches in this area were minimal. Then, a very wealthy philanthropist named Scripps who owned a home on the bluffs above the ocean (since converted into the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego) decided it would be a great idea to create ” at her own expense ” a beach pool for the public, and more specifically, for the children of San Diego. State land was deeded to the city and a concrete breakwater was built to tame the force of the waves. A beautiful, safe pool and beach were the result. It was created especially for the enjoyment of San Diego children, not the San Diego seals.
Things were fine for about 70 years until two things happened ” The National Wildlife Service decided to place the seals on the endangered species list and later the San Diego City Council decreed the nearby Seal Rock off limits to humans. Seals enjoy human contact and when it was denied, they just moved south to the Children’s Pool, where they proceeded to make a total nuisance of themselves. Because of government regulations, nothing could be done to discourage their presence on the beach.
Then the ugly “God of Unforeseen Circumstances” reared his head, and guess what? The seal population exploded to numbers never anticipated. By the most optimistic estimates, it continues to grow at a rate of 5 percent per year. The results are the seals have now become a major problem along the entire Pacific coast. They threaten the future of both commercial and sport fishing. They’ve taken over public and private docks and marinas, befouling everything, and in many cases, making it impossible for owners to access their vessels.
At the Children’s Pool, their constant defecation has resulted coliform bacteria counts that vastly exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards. That alone is reason enough to keep them off the beach.
It is way past time for this disgusting situation be taken care of and it looks as though it has been, thanks to Judge William Pate’s decision.
One last observation: Whatever did the precious seals do to survive before the Children’s Pool was constructed? They went to the beaches along the coastline that are mostly only accessible from the sea, not the land. Common sense tells us that when it comes to going to the beach, the seals definitely have the advantage over us.
Let’s return the Children’s Pool to its rightful heirs ” the children of San Diego.
Larry Rasmussen, Pacific Beach

Please censor opinions
I was really, really disappointed that you published the letter by Albert Frowiss from Rancho Santa Fe asking to endorse Brian Bilbray (“Back Brian Bilbray now!”, Village News, April 20, page 8).
For some reason I thought you weren’t affiliated to any political party. I hope it was a mistake and that you will rectify it, because come June 6, I’ll be voting for Francine Busby!
Pia Mantovani-Sud, University City

News flash: World has changed
This may come as news to the small contingent still intent on driving seals off of the beach in La Jolla, but the world has changed in the last 75 years since the City of San Diego took over responsibility for the beach at Children’s Pool. The loss of wildlife habitat, alarming rise in greenhouse gases, proliferation of industrial chemicals in our environment, and general degradation of the Earth’s ecosystems since 1931 pose a very real threat to the quality of life, and even survival, of future generations. Farsighted and compassionate leaders who want the best for our children understand that we must take quick and decisive action to avert environmental catastrophe.
Children’s Pool is the best opportunity for us to begin taking this direction at the local level. Allowing the seals use of 200 feet of shoreline, out of 73 miles available for human use, is a first step in teaching the vital lesson of respect for natural ecosystems. I’m frequently at Children’s Pool as a volunteer, and have never seen a child express a desire to chase seals off of this tiny pocket of sand so they can swim there. On the contrary, the universal reactions of children to the opportunity to view the seals are delight, smiles, joy and excitement. Children understand they can swim in a pool or on any other beach, and love the La Jolla seals. Pro seals equals pro children.
Laws need to adapt to keep up with changing needs and evolving thinking. Remember that in the span of human history, not long ago slavery, child labor, and voting rights reserved for white males were all perfectly legal. San Diego City Council and the City Attorney are to be applauded for responding appropriately to current conditions, instead of remaining frozen in 1931 needs and mindsets.
Janice Stanger, Pacific Beach