‘Deathtrap conditions’ for pedestrians

I am about to turn 80 but am no creampuff, being as built as I was when I was a boxer in the Army, among similar occupations. I wish to address the deathtrap conditions facing pedestrians in this general area of North Park, Hillcrest and Mission Hills.

For one thing, our dog lovers (and I like dogs in general) are oblivious to the security and comfort of elderly, handicapped, mothers with children, and others who need to be respected. Twice in one week, a dog (luckily on a leash) lunged at me. Other times, I’ve escaped being bitten by angry dogs. This is intolerable. I did not want to kick the dog in the mouth. I prefer to do that to the owner, except many of them are female.

Another thing, the speeding by imbeciles down the hill that leads to Interstate 5 is intolerable. These imbeciles often are texting and oblivious of pedestrians. Several times, by the grace of God, I have not been run down.

Letters to our police chief are ignored. Ditto the mayor.

Skateboarders, hikers and others on various canyons dominate the sidewalks. Insolent vagrants try to muscle you for money. At night, if you walk around Mission Hills or other areas, you may end up with a broken skull. As far as I am concerned, because I am somewhat skilled in the martial arts, I feel confident. But as I turn 80, I am still conscious I am slower than a fellow 60 years my junior. I am not kidding myself. I want action by the city.

I demand that Chief Zimmerman get off her soapbox and PR duff and address pedestrian safety. The next tramp that tries to muscle me is going to have his head handed to him.

When is the city going to stop its absurd bragging and self-identity and protect decent people? The answer is that the city of San Diego will not protect us. Therefore, it is every man for himself. Citizens, rise up! Make your voices heard. Don’t sit on your duff and do nothing!

—Max Steel of Mission Hills, via handwritten letter 

Why the Chargers should stay in San Diego

America’s philosopher John Dewey found little need in religious dogma despite having been brought up in a church-going family. The professor from the University of Chicago understood the significance of the divine upon culture and society. To those who say we do not need the San Diego Chargers football team, consider the big picture through the lens of social-psychology and Dr. Dewey’s stance on the merits of religion upon the masses. We ought to all recognize the concept of public good in keeping the Bolts in our town.

Much has been written about the power of the purse and a taxpayer revolt but there has been scant mention of the emotional and psychological import of losing a professional sports franchise. Just as Professor Dewey understood the value of organized religion within the common man, we ought to recognize the social need of maintaining a professional sports team and what it brings to a community.

America is an athletically driven nation. Most little boys and girls for that matter grow up on sports. I still remember the 1963 Milwaukee Braves starting lineup 50 years later. That shows how emotionally close kids become to their sports teams. Many adults also find solace in bonding with and following their local sports team. Dare I say that this relationship is almost religious in nature complete with rituals such as tailgating, flag waving, face painting and other types of mutual adulation. Understanding that not everyone likes football and recalcitrant taxpayers, it is by keeping the Bolts in San Diego that we promote the greater good.

When the Major League Baseball’s Braves left Milwaukee in 1965 it devastated the morale of children and adults alike. When the NBA San Diego Rockets moved to Houston in 1971 it likewise affected our city by casting a pall over many sports enthusiasts.

Mayor Faulconer is knee-deep in an untenable situation. San Diego Charger’s ownership however is playing by the rules of our free market. The National Football League is a business and we live in a capitalist economy. This is our culture and society, yet some of the same people benefiting from its very inherent qualities rail against wealthy ownership of professional sports teams. Perhaps we should equate the extra taxes as earmarked for a public park, which essentially is true except one pays a fee for entertainment. There will be some long faces in San Diego if the Chargers decide to bolt.

— Daniel Smiechowski via email

What about biking through Hillcrest?

Re: Uptown parking district explores news ways to ‘Access Hillcrest’ [Volume 7, Issue 18 or at bit.ly/1NnSmdp]

Rent-a-bike not even mentioned?

—Benny via email

Planning the future of Uptown district

Re: Getting down to brass tacks [Volume 7, Issue 18 or at bit.ly/1M8Jubk]

Insightful article. It helps confirm that a cause of business turnover in the area is that the costs are those of a major city, but without the population density (i.e., customer base) to support those costs.

—Brian Casey via Facebook

Take whatever the Hillcrest Business Association says with a grain of salt. They claimed to support one thing (bikes in Hillcrest), but then spent over 20 grand on lobbyists to keep University Avenue the most dangerous street in the city.

—Robert via Facebook

I have to comment on this portion of the article. SANDAG and Ron Roberts are touting the Sky Tram for commuters so that they can gain federal and state money. In reality it will be just a tourist attraction. As quoted in this article – the sky tram has nothing to do with moving people to their jobs but everything to do with yet another tourist attraction.

“… could benefit if transportation links are enhanced, especially from the touristy Gaslamp District via a proposed sky tram up Sixth Avenue to Balboa Park and a streetcar line.”

A faster/fun road route that will not destruct neighborhoods like the sky tram from the downtown to uptown would be an enhancement – a sky tram will make us look like a cheap Disneyland and destroy property values of the homes on Sixth Avenue.

It could go up Park – go by the College – take folks to the Zoo and land in Hillcrest – now that make a bit more sense.

—Char-Lou Benedict via Facebook

Too much trash

Hi there! I recently moved from University Heights to Normal Heights and am blown away by the amount of trash (mostly from 7-Eleven) I pick up in my yard and around my house daily. UH doesn’t seem to have this issue.

We live across from John Adams Elementary (subsequent park and ball fields) on 35th, so I don’t know if it’s the teenagers who hang out in the park all day littering or just a total lack of mindfulness on everyone’s part of what littering does to our beautiful city and nearby ocean.

I chased off a homeless man on trash day because he cut our bag of trash open in the middle of 35th to look for recycling! I’ve only lived here for two weeks and I’m pregnant. I’m trying to do my part to keep this city beautiful (it’s getting exhausting) and was wondering if there is any initiative to put up “No littering” signs in Normal Heights? I want to put one on our fence but I’m worried that might make people be spiteful and litter more. Maybe something more official with a fine notice would be helpful?! There are dumpsters everywhere but not a lot of trash cans in the park to speak of although I think it’s just laziness. Where can I get a sign for the road or who can I contact to complain about this? Thanks!

—Jessica via Facebook