Bravo, EPD and the city council

Many law-abiding Escondido residents are grateful to the Escondido Police Department … commanded by Chief Jim Maher and supported by our esteemed City Council members Sam Abed and Ed Gallo for their ongoing efforts to rid our roadways of illegal and dangerous drivers (felony hit and runs are ubiquitous) by conducting regular police safety checkpoints. Illegal alien activist Bill Flores … believes these checkpoints are racist and discriminatory against Latinos/illegal aliens and should be discontinued ("Have politics of divisiveness entered EPD?" July 6).

Some activists believe Latinosˇshould be exempt from the same DMV laws the rest of us are subject to. They're upset with Chief Maher and our City Council for enforcing our laws. Please contact Chief Maher at (760) 839-4722 or e-mail jmaher@ci.escondido.ca.us, and our City Council at (760) 839-4638 or citycouncil@escondido.org, to register your support for their lawful efforts at protecting our basic human rights for law enforcement to ensure public safety on our roadways. Because of their documented success at combating vehicular lawlessness, some residents want these checkpoints increased to protect our families. Voice your opinion now.

Gary Walker

Escondido

Vote no and demand alternative

The Tri-City Healthcare District Board of Directors is unfair … and is outright gouging property owners with the terrible August mail-in vote. Do they guarantee that only people covered by the district get to vote? Oh no! Ballots to substantially increase our property taxes will also be mailed to non-property owners. … They will reap the benefits without raising their property tax or contributing in any way. Most, offered something free, will take it, and vote yes.

Property owners better vote no and demand an equitable alternative. Actually, we should vote no on any proposals to increase property taxes â€"â€" they negate the victory of Proposition 13.

This $11-plus million cost of a mail vote was justified by the gouging board with the lame explanation they couldn't wait until the November elections because construction costs were rising at $3.7 million per month. Where was that figure confirmed? Now that excuse for this waste is invalid. Building materials prices are falling and construction companies are bidding very close just to stay in business. This board hasn't earned the trust to properly handle $700-plus million.

Harry Sisson

Oceanside

Officer fired for taking cuts?

After reading this article ("Fla. officer fired for demanding free coffee," July 18), I have to say I was astonished! It is unbelievable to think that internal affairs would waste their time and investigate an officer for this allegation. Even more astonishing than the investigation is the fact that a law enforcement officer would get fired from his job for taking cuts in line and demanding a free cup of coffee or tea. I do not think this action is warranted for demanding coffee or tea while on duty; perhaps putting the officer on an administrative leave would suffice.

It is fascinating that here in Vista, our Sheriff Deputies have killed some unarmed men while on duty, and they are always exonerated. Please don't tell me that we have reached a point where a human life is of less value than a caramel macchiato or a chai tea from Starbucks. I think our law enforcement codes of conduct and policies should be re-evaluated and amended.

Tina Jillings

Vista

Codes make it hard to get carry weapons

I offer a challenge to anti-gun [letter writer] Joseph Grant. Obtain a copy of "Summary of California Gun Laws and Basic Safety Rules" from the California Rifle and Pistol Association and read it. Read and understand California Penal Code Title 2 Chapters 1 through 6, and U.S. Code Title 18 Part 1 Chapter 44. Visit the Firearms Regulations and Publications of the ATF, California Fish and Game Code, Welfare & Institutions Code, Vehicle Code, Business and Professions Code and the Health and Safety Code to review the firearm restrictions therein.

Register any handgun you own with the California Department of Justice. Apply for and obtain a Handgun Safety Certificate. Attempt to apply for a carry concealed weapons license. See how far you get. If you agree to do these tasks, keep writing your silly letters. If you do not agree to this challenge, please [stop].

Mervyn Hoover Jr.

Escondido

Obama not the kind of leader we need

We have anti-American forces within and without America who want to destroy our sovereignty and liberties; so our lives and future depend on recognizing the dangers and preparing against them. That's why we need an experienced president we can trust to protect us from them, like John McCain, whose political background and military courage prove his loyalty to our country.

In the Senate, McCain has always stood up for what he believed was best for America, and has always been financially responsible and active against wasteful government spending. Obama's qualifications, on the contrary, are very uncertain because he has flip-flopped on many of his primary platforms and found so much fault with our political system that his rhetoric then and now leaves a lot of uncertainty about his real political convictions. … His claim that he would "reach across the aisle" is something he never did in Congress â€"â€" in fact, just the opposite â€"â€" and he has the reputation of being the most liberal politician in the Senate!

These are facts that just don't add up to his becoming the kind of leader we need for America â€"â€" in fact, it points to just the opposite.

Marcy Young

Oceanside

Gore's time is done

I read in your paper that Al Gore, former vice president, thinks we should do more for the environment and to reduce our carbon footprint. Why is it that when these people have the power to make changes in the country and world, they don't? They only think about these things when a new sitting president is in office and then blame them for all the problems and woes in the world.

Jimmy Carter couldn't handle Iran or the Middle East in the 1970s, but he's bound and determined to change the policy now that he's out of office and has no power. Al Gore seems to be following Carter's lead. Complain that the new guy isn't doing enough when you didn't do anything when you had eight years to do something. Gore even won a Nobel Prize and Oscar for this. How the heck did that happen?

Mr. Gore, your time is done, get off the stage.

Don Snyder

Oceanside

Get some perspective on progress

Wow, 10,000-plus people turning out to discuss a 16-mile road extension that encroaches on about three to four miles of surf lovers' habitat ("Toll road hearing may be canceled," July 16). Impressive citizen participation. Elsewhere, 12 miles of offroad access are blocked to preserve two toad species' habitat. Meanwhile, decisions are being made about 10 square miles of desert land to house 12,000 38-by-40-foot (1,520 square feet, modest house size) mirror structures. No word yet on desert species impacted by this small town erected in their midst. Mind you, this is not for the benefit of desert dwellers. It will benefit people farther west.

[Areas] nearer the "mother ocean" must not be contaminated with choke/gag energy production. Uncle desert? Well, someone has to do it. Moreover, it is driven by a legislative deadline similar to the ethanol production directive implemented at the expense (literally) of food cost to all of us.

Could we please step back, look at this like rational citizens charged with the future of this country, and call time out for long enough to get some perspective and view some options in light of current technical progress? Our children and grandchildren will appreciate it.

James King

Carlsbad

We do not need Chavez running city

The issue at the recent council meeting was not whether Rocky Chavez should be allowed to speak again: He had already spoken once ("Rancorous meeting may foreshadow gritty mayoral campaign," July 19). The issue was who was in charge of the meeting â€"â€" the elected mayor or the wannabe mayor. Traditionally, the mayor always closes the hearing and calls for the vote. When Mayor Wood asked if any council members wanted to speak again, he said, "Seeing no lights, I'll give my comments and we'll vote." Mayor Wood gave his reason for voting yes and called for the vote. Then Chavez demanded to speak again. He seemed to want a fight and caused the argument. … Chavez doesn't want to run for mayor; he wants to be mayor without an election. Mayor Wood is probably tired of this. I know I am.

Chavez should stop this nonsense and just run his election. And why isn't it fair to mention the problems Chavez had with his school? Chavez proclaimed himself an outstanding fiscal manager, right after it was obvious he had not been such a good manager of the school. Mayor Wood had a right to challenge Chavez's claim. Chavez started it, but couldn't take the heat.

Chavez is playing political games to try to undermine the mayor. … That is something we certainly do not need.

Pat McKee

Oceanside

Protesting progress is popular

I wonder how many people protesting the Sunrise Powerlink (and other potential sources of renewables) have LCD/plasma TVs, multiple refrigerators and PCs, and use air conditioning? It seems to me that protesting any kind of progress is very popular these days, except consumerism. Who are these protesters, and why do they have so much time? Could it be that they have money and a guilty conscience? Care to guess what the cheapest source of power is? Use less, then we won't have to build new. …

So how do we change society's behavior regarding energy consumption? Easy answer: Raise prices. Unfortunately, these protesters seem to be the least likely to be affected by rising prices â€"â€" so what do they care? So who is affected most by rising energy prices? The working poor â€"â€" people who don't have the time, money, or political power to protest rising energy prices.

I am hardly a liberal when it comes to politics. But how do we change the behavior of the biggest consumers of power and protect the little guys at the same time? Safe, clean public transportation is part of the answer, but that won't get the protesters from driving to rallies in their large SUVs, or participating in the Webcasts. … We all need to do more. Acting in the public good (that means everyone) is the highest motive. Think about it.

Kevin Swartz

Vista