Letters to the Editor: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Ticket errant bike riders

In regards to the crosswalks on Main Street, I have one good solution.

My husband and I were in Santa Barbara a few years ago. The police were busy writing tickets right and left to people riding bicycles on the wrong side of the street as well as on the sidewalks.

Why can’t our police force start ticketing speeding drivers, cyclists, and jaywalkers breaking the laws?

I have seen one dedicated officer over the years ticketing cars parked over the limit on Main Street as well as the metered lots. I have lived in Seal Beach for 40 years and have never seen anyone get a ticket for any of the other infractions.

The police even ticket for jaywalking in Hawaii.

The cyclists in this town seem to be regarded as pedestrians. I thought our “rules of the road” applied to them also.

As for a warning light for pedestrians crossing the street, I think that would take away from the charm of Main Street.

It works great on a big boulevard in London—a far cry from Seal Beach!

My main question – where are the police?

Francine Greene

Bridgeport, Seal Beach

Kudos to Project SEEK

Last night, Project SEEK hosted “The Event” at Tantalum restaurant.

As usual, it was a classy affair that truly showcased the generosity of our community.

A simple thank you does not convey the deep gratitude I have for the countless hours that our Project SEEK parents put into making this event successful.

The fact that we still have outstanding art and media center programs at McGaugh is solely due to Project SEEK’s continued heroics in their fundraising and the support of all of you.

This year, as I introduced the 31st annual Pageant of the Arts, I reflected upon how amazing it is that this program has existed for as long as it has, through economic booms and recessions, a multitude of teacher and administrative changes, the countless redirections and priority shifts in education.

Seeing the joy in the student’s faces backstage and as they performed makes the investment well worth it.

I feel confident that with the help of Project SEEK, this great tradition will continue at McGaugh for many, many more years.

Bill MacDonald

Principal, J.H. McGaugh School

Seal Beach

Cypress deceived

What I can’t understand is how Cypress’ elected officials were fooled into voting without discussion to endorse this 160 page monster (Measure A), written exclusively by the Race Track owner’s attorneys for the explicit purpose of taking away the voter’s power over the future of two another sections of the Race Track and Golf Course properties.

The track owners spend tens of thousands of dollars to get it on the ballot and to pay for this June’s special election.

They’re already spending thousands more to “poll” Cypress residents in order to design the most effective (dare I say “deceptive?”) campaign literature, no doubt coming soon to the mailboxes of every Cypress voter!

The “Seniors’ Continuing Care Facility” you voted for last June in the Track owners’ 160+ page Measure L somehow morphed into ProLogis’ 33-acre, 126-bay “rapid throughput” logistics facility!

I wonder which bay ProLogis is reserving for my 92-year-old mother? DO NOT BE DECEIVED AGAIN!

Support the “No on A” groups working to keep Cypress’ voters informed and in control of their city! Details at OC4us.com, LetsFixLosAl.com, and CFRDgroup.org.

Dave Emerson

Los Alamitos

Shelter for Homeless?

The Seal Beach Planning Commission believes a homeless shelter should be built next to Leisure World.

The residents of Leisure World are already being beseeched by telephone hustlers on a daily basis.

All we need now according to the Planning Commission is to have a whole contingent of transient beggars and hustlers on Leisure World’s front door. Where do these commissioners live? I bet they do not live anywhere near the shelter they want to build.

By the way, there is nothing in the California Constitution that gives those whackos in Sacramento the authority to demand a city has to build shelters for anyone? But when I see shelters being built in Beverly Hills, Orange, Indian Wells, West Hollywood, and Irvine, then I’ll believe those whacky legislators in Sacramento and the Seal Beach Planning Commission has the power to put a shelter for transients next to our lovely community of Leisure World. Also, I believe the residents of Leisure World have the right to know who the person is who thought this building of a homeless shelter in Seal Beach was a good idea and should come before the Planning Commission and who proposed to the Planning Commission that the shelter should be built near Leisure World.

Bruce Smith

Leisure World

Pampering mothers of fallen heroes on Mother’s Day

America’s Finest Rewards is proud to partner with Honoring Our Fallen, Inc. this Mother’s Day to host 10 Gold Star Mothers on a weekend getaway. The inaugural Honoring Our Fallen Inc. Gold Star Mother’s Retreat will be held at The Historic Santa Maria Inn from May 3-5th. A Gold Star Mother is a term used to refer to any woman in the United States who lost a son or a daughter in war. The women will be pampered with massages and wine tastings throughout the weekend and will enjoy some relaxing time with other women who understand what being a Gold Star Mother really means.

“We are so happy to support Laura Herzog and her amazing organization,” said Darold Ray, cofounder, America’s Finest Rewards. “Honoring Our Fallen is such a great resource to the same military families we strive to support, and this retreat give these moms a way to unwind and bond. We are excited to help facilitate this event for them.”

Pampering and wine tastings will be provided by the Historic Santa Maria Inn and Jewel Kade has created a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece the mothers will receive during the retreat.  The jewelry will also be available on www.honoringourfallen.org and will be donated for other events throughout the year.

America’s Finest Rewards is a rewards program that allows Americans, businesses, and other organizations, to support active military men and women, Veterans, and their families.

Darold Ray

America’s Finest Rewards

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