Letter of the week

About the Uptown Planners

Re: “Another election raises eyebrows” [Volume 8, Issue 8 or at bit.ly/1YjErXs]

This is in regard to Leo Wilson’s recent appointment as chair of Uptown Planners. You say that happened without public input.

Maybe you’re not aware of this fact, but the public doesn’t vote for the chair and never has. The Uptown Planners themselves vote for their own chair.

And of course, the members of Uptown Planners are elected by that part of the public that lives, works or owns property in Uptown, and bothers to participate in board elections.

So in the final analysis, the public does have input, it just doesn’t directly elect the chair.

Given that this is so, it appears that you just don’t like Leo Wilson for whatever reason. Why not say so instead of falsely implying that the process of his reappointment to the board and election as chair was undemocratic and corrupt? There was nothing undemocratic or corrupt about it that I can see.

As for Tom Mullaney saying that Wilson was the best man for the job, there is nothing “bizarre” about that. Wilson has by far the most experience, having been chair in the past not only of Uptown Planners but of the Community Planning Committee representing all 50 San Diego planning groups.

And, while I can’t speak for Mr. Mullaney, I would note that there is a distinct advantage to NOT being the chair, in that the chair must abstain from all votes unless there is a tie vote that needs to be broken. Other board members, on the other hand, can vote on every decision the board makes.

I have never known for sure whether or not I agree with Wilson on many issues, because as chair he has voted so rarely in the past, and he has made very few comments on those issues. His job is rather to make sure that the decisions of Uptown Planners are strongly advocated before the Planning Commission and City Council.

As a former member of Uptown Planners, I believe that Leo Wilson is a great asset to the community and that we are lucky to have him.

—Andrew Towne via our website, sduptownnews.com

[Editor’s note: Since I became editor a year ago, San Diego Uptown News has had a good working relationship with Leo Wilson. The reporter wrote about what happened at the April 6 meeting and reviewed previous coverage and minutes of previous elections of officers at Uptown Planners. You are correct that the board members elect officers, not the public. However, the acting chair refused to allow the public to speak about any of the candidates for chair even though audience members requested the opportunity to give their opinions. Some audience members told the board members that they did not like the fact that Wilson was not elected by the public to serve on the board, but instead was appointed to fill a seat that was vacated prior to the annual election. To have the same unelected board member named chair twice has caused some community members to question the fairness of the election process. They also wondered why the acting chair went out of his way to try to persuade the audience that the board members did not violate California’s Brown Act, which guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies such as the Uptown Planners. Uptown News is not implying that any laws were necessarily violated, but simply relaying to readers what the public perception is.]

Leo Wilson is some sort of immortal bridge troll … He votes against pedestrian and people on bikes’ safety.

—Roger Leszczynski via Facebook

I support Leo — he cares about Uptown! … I have had a different experience of Leo, with Leo’s help in trying to oppose developers who are destroying our hood by demolishing single family residences and being able to ignore zoning. I find he is courageous and helpful!

—Cathy Bolger via Facebook

About MTS service

Re: “Residents generally happy with bus, trolley service” [Volume 8, Issue 8 or at bit.ly/1SVL9Pi]

Quoting the story: “The local residents largely echo a random sampling by the MTS that showed San Diegans are generally pleased with the agency’s work.”

I’d be interested on statistics backing this up. In reality, our transit system is poor.

_Ron via our website

I agree. Other than Bus No. 7, I rarely use transit services after some very poor experiences with the trolley and with the transit officers. I sent feedback to MTS and unsurprisingly never heard back.

I ended up getting assistance from a drunk bike rider on the trolley — way more knowledgeable and helpful than any of the officers. I could’ve dealt with the trolley problems but the total disinterest and misdirection by the officers lead me to advise folks not to depend on the trolley or on the personnel for any positive assistance.

—bzribee via our website

Too many stops, making the overall system slow. For instance, trolley loop Downtown stops every two blocks … you can out walk the trolley!

—Roger Leszczynski via Facebook 

Where’s the parking?

Re: “Looking up: North Park’s future coming into sharp focus” [Volume 8, Issue 3 or at bit.ly/1LBAVqp]

What is the plan to accommodate the growth in population and density from the perspective of street parking, parking garages, etc.?

—Mike via our website 

Praise for Indian Grill 

Re: “A tandoori oven in an unlikely place” [Volume 7, Issue 5 or bit.ly/20Umgti]

Stumbled upon this place [Indian Grill in Old Town] and SO glad we did. Excellent food, lovely patio environment and wonderful recommendations from Mayur, the owner. We had a marvelous experience here and hope others take advantage of this unique dining opportunity. Very reasonably priced, to boot!

—Jacqui Stansfield via our Facebook page 

Love those chicken pies

Re: “Chicken Pie Shop still serving after 75 years” [Volume 5, Issue 9 or at bit.ly/1SOPzXY]

Been eating your chicken pie dinners for years and still love them. Have recommended them. Thanks.

—Cinda Lee via our website

—San Diego Uptown News encourages letters to the editor. Email [email protected].