Letters to the Editor: Thursday, May 20

City should take action

As a former Chair of the Gum Grove Park group and long time activist in the cause of saving Gum Grove Park, I am so concerned that someone or group, would take it upon themselves to destroy trees and natural habitat in our beloved and historical nature park.

I certainly hope that this Council will take action against this group or person who has defiled a treasured Seal Beach sanctuary.

I am sure that besides criminal action against these defilers, civil action should also be approved so that the city will be compensated for this terrible and illegal destruction of public property.

Thank you,

Jane McCloud

Former Chair of Gum Grove Park Group

Cutting down trees is selfish

I just returned from walking the upper trail of Gum Grove Park.  I saw the loss of a whole section of trees cut down by a homeowner who, I believe, wanted a better view of the degraded wetlands.  What a  selfish thing for one person to do.

This is a wilderness community park enjoyed by many each day.  Also it is nesting season and now birds have lost their homes.  Is this against the law?

He has also placed a stone path into the park past his lot line.  Why does he have the right to do this?

Barbara Wright

Seal Beach

Tree cutting is appalling

As a long time advocate for the preservation of the Gum Grove Park Nature Preserve, I am appalled that someone would break the law and cut down trees in a public area. Years ago, my students visited this park, the only designated wilderness in Orange County. Please take immediate criminal and civil action against the perpetrators of this disgraceful crime.

Carla Watson

Seal Beach

Scouts: Determination, patience

Since the first grade, I have been an active member in Girl Scouts. Through my years of scouting, I have learned that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. Through my commitment to scouting, I have achieved my Bronze and Silver Awards. I completed these projects at Precious Life Shelter in Los Alamitos. After completing these two projects and seeing how the people of my community benefitted from my efforts, I was inspired to complete my Gold Award.

I developed a strong relationship with Precious Life Shelter during my work on my Bronze and Silver Awards. Growing up with a single mother, I know and understand the love, dedication, and commitment the women at the shelter have towards raising their children. My main goal for my Gold Award project is to raise community awareness of the struggles of single mothers and to advocate for the shelter for all the good it is doing for the women of our community. Precious Life Shelter operates a three-phase residential supportive services program for homeless, pregnant, adult women. It is a home which gives these women a place to make positive change in their lives and in their community.

As part of my Gold Award project, I made a website entitled “Following Footprints” where I put my ideas into action.

The website not only provides information about the work of the shelter but also allows members of the community to “follow the footprints” of the lives they are changing and impacting through their generous monetary and non-monetary support. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of these courageous women’s walk through life and to be part of a positive change for the homeless pregnant women in our community.  For more information about my Gold Award project, please visit http://rojasriley.wix.com/followingfootprints.

Riley Rojas

Los Alamitos