Consider quiet zone for Shelly Drive

Shelly Drive serves some 250 households with a direct access to Barham Drive and the outside world.

The courts upheld the NCTD's right to close Shelly Drive and to reroute the 250 household community's access via a new Barham Lane to eventually meet with La Moree Road. This causes the response times for fire, ambulance and police to be roughly doubled to access the community's homes.

The NCTD could now show itself to care about the neighborhoods the Sprinter will traverse and install a quiet zone crossing at Shelly Drive, at grade with crossing booms, so as not to adversely affect emergency service access or the community's emergency exit route.

From a recent NCT article this type of crossing is already being considered in Oceanside and Carlsbad for the Coaster. One would hope that the NCTD and the city of San Marcos care enough about residents to consider such a solution for these 250 homes.

LARS MYRIN

San Marcos

San Marcos code enforcement

Kudos to San Marcos City Council and staff for ratcheting up code enforcement. This important issue affects every property owner. The council's proactive stance toward eliminating code violation eyesores benefits all San Marcos residents ññ and not a moment too soon. We and our neighbors in the West City embrace the plan to bring the entire city into compliance, uniting us all around an aesthetic that rejects junk cars, messy yards and irresponsible property ownership.

Thanks to the council for taking this essential step, and special thanks to Councilman Jim Desmond for his leadership on this issue.

BECKIE and JIM GARRETT

San Marcos

In San Marcos, it's the law

I have lived in San Marcos for 10 years, and I have never seen any illegal workers loitering in parking lots of stores, or any lots. San Marcos sheriff deputies do their jobs that they are being paid to do.

Our city needs to control loitering, and keep it looking beautiful and safe. These people can search for work reading the paper like the rest of us. It's not our problem that they cannot read English. Being in the United States means learning our language.

MARIA LEAVITT

San Marcos

It's about time for the sweeps

Re: the June 19 story, "Immigration sweeps create unease." Thank you for reprinting the oh-so-insightful article by AP reporter Elliot Spagat. Front-page material, without a doubt. Mr. Spagat had to spend at least five minutes on the phone to research this prize-winning expose.

Mr. Spagat states and restates, and then reiterates ññ ad nauseam ññ that the recent illegal immigration crackdown and successful felony arrests by ICE in San Diego is making the illegal immigrants in the city feel a "sense of unease." He seems to imply that this is unfair and unjust - funny, goes right along with standard NCT editorial opinion.

I disagree. I think the majority of Americans think that this reaction is a good thing. It's about time ññ and decades late ññ for the government to secure the U.S. borders.

JEFF JUSTICE

Oceanside

A nation without borders has no sovereignty

A favorite chant of open-borders protesters is "Ningun respeto, ninguna paz" ("No respect, no peace"). Interesting choice of words.

It is not so much that they disrespect our national sovereignty and then threaten no peace, but it's worse when our own government officials don't respect our sovereignty enough to enforce immigration laws. A nation without border control has no sovereignty, and without sovereignty we will have no peace.

BARBARA VICKROY

Escondido

Wood will not be swayed by facts

Re: The June 28 news item concerning a meeting attended by Mayor Jim Wood, Bill Dunn, representing the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Mark McClardy, representing the FAA, and other local, state and federal officials.

The subject concerned Oceanside officials' interest in closing the airport. AOPA, the FAA and others favor keeping the airport open. The mayor was quoted as saying, "I am not going to be intimidated by the people on the hill or by the pilots association."

What Mayor Wood is saying is that he will not be swayed by facts, legal concerns, financial concerns, or the needs of the people.

Over the years, the Oceanside airport has received in excess of $3 million of federal funds. Of course, Oceanside was required to make a co-pay. Airport grants are approximately 92 percent federal money and 8 percent local funds.

If the Oceanside airport is closed, the city will be required to refund the $3 million in federal funds.Now, how is that going to be justified to the citizens of Oceanside and the many people who rely financially on the airport? Mayor Wood's justification: He will not be swayed by facts or financial concerns.

DONALD EUGENE MILLER

Oceanside

Ice cream vendors at The Strand

According to the latest input from MainStreet 101, there have been no requests by ice cream vendors to offer ice cream along The Strand between Wisconsin and Tyson Park.

It would seem that special dispensation would be in order in this instance. Here we are, after Memorial Day, and at the Fourth of July celebration, big parade, etc., and no ice cream is available on The Strand!

Maybe the MainStreet 101 crew could speed up the process and allow one or two of the local ice cream vendors a special dispensation ññ in particular, the neighborhood trucks/vans I see roaming the local streets with music and bells a ringing.

Let's at least give it a try this once so that at least the kids will have their ice cream on The Strand this summer.

BEN SCOTT

Oceanside

Quiet zones are well deserved

A gag for John Van Doorn is certainly deserved for his out-of-sync spin spouted in his June 28 Observer column, "Let horns blow, whistles toot."

Van Doorn insults the citizens who reside within one-half mile of the Amtrak corridor in beach cities from Oceanside to San Diego.

Let him spend a night or two near any Amtrak grade-level crossing like Cannon Road or Tamarack Street in Carlsbad. Let him hear the blare of the horns and the screech of the whistles cutting through all else for 24 hours a day from more than 50 trains every day.

Perhaps he would also like to hear the repetitive blast of the air horns of the 18-wheelers traveling up and down Interstate 5 every time they pass an on-ramp or off-ramp just to proclaim their right of way, 24 hours a day; and how about a blast or two every time a BMW or Honda driver cuts into their lane.

Quiet zones do not make any sense to JVD because he doesn't understand good sense. Ignore him! Quiet zones will be a good thing and are well deserved by all of those who have been living in the blast zones for so long.

Kudos to the North County Transportation District and the beach cities for their achievement in agreeing to break through the shackles they have been wearing up to now. Good job, folks! Keep up the good work and make good things happen.

RICHARD JOHNSON

Carlsbad

Narrow minds on flag burning

Well, now we're getting ready to send another gazillion dollars up into space. We already played golf on the moon, found out how many rings are around Saturn and that maybe there is another moon or something near Pluto (maybe Mickey). Think of all the money and brainpower being spent on this and other congressional boondoggles. William Dreu ("Count your blessings," June 28) questions the relatively small amount of money and military assistance given to Israel, the only ally we have in this dangerous area ññ that's narrow thinking.

And so are the 36 nay votes that will continue to allow the flag of the United States of America to be burned, calling it freedom of speech.

STUART GOODMAN

Oceanside

Water shortage linked to development?

I just don't get it. Perhaps someone can explain to me why we are asked to cut back on usage of water and electricity during peak hours when it is hot. That indicates to me that there is a possible shortage for the existing homes in San Diego County.

Yet the developers and builders are issued permits to continue building even more homes, offices, etc., that will further drain our resources.

Like I said, I just don't get it.

DEBORAH ANNE ZINN

Fallbrook

Make your daily footprint smaller

I just saw the movie "An Inconvenient Truth." We can no longer afford to be ostriches with our heads stuck in the sand! The ice is melting at an alarming rate. I urge everyone to go see this movie that is based on hard data and sound science.

This is no longer a partisan issue. It is a moral obligation. One attitude (among many) that needs to be changed is the bad stigma of solar clothes dryers. Why are clotheslines banned in housing areas? What's wrong with clean clothes hanging on a line? There's everything wrong with running dryers in Southern California, especially in this heat.

If you don't believe me, please go see the movie "An Inconvenient Truth." How big do you think your daily footprint is on our Earth? We can all do a lot to make them smaller.

LINDA LYERLY

Cardiff by the Sea

Young poet gives voice to Lady Liberty

Concerning Don Reichert's June 28 letter, he mentions Emma Lazaro's quoted poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Her name is not Lazaro. It is Emma Lazarus, a New York-born Jewish poet. She died at the early age of 38 in 1887 from Hodgkin's disease. She was lauded by none other than Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Her famous, "Give me your tired" poem was inscribed on the base of the statue in 1903. It was not meant only for European immigrants, but all who came through Ellis Island.

Just a little bit of trivia for ya!

JACK STRUMPF

Escondido

Stop raiding Social Security funds

The current Social Security system allows Congress to spend the Social Security surplus on other government programs. Including interest, Congress has raided $1.7 trillion from Social Security since 1985. The surplus now only consists of IOUs stacked in a vault in West Virginia that can only be paid back by raising taxes or cutting spending.

Think about this ññ please. This is why they say Social Security won't be there for us in 15 years. It's because they are robbing the money we paid in so they can fund things other than Social Security. This is a bad thing.

Let's do something to stop them! Write letters, call your representatives.

Make noise. Do something, please!

DON STEIGERWALD

Escondido

Teacher shows ignorance on global warming

I recently saw Al Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth," and found it to be informative, compelling and disconcerting; but perhaps not as disconcerting as the letter the North County Times recently published from Rob Thompson regarding the movie.

Mr. Thompson evidently considers himself to be much smarter and better informed about the topic than the thousands of scientists around the world who endorse Mr. Gore's work in this area and concur with him about the dire threats involved with the current rate of global warming. He clearly wears his politics on his sleeve in his sarcastic condemnation of the movie, as well as his utter disdain for the idea that Mr. Gore might reach others with his message.

What I cannot understand is Mr. Thompson's obvious anger. Even if global warming isn't as big a threat as the movie claims, what could possibly be bad about finding solutions to a problem that most experts agree exists?

I have no problem with Mr. Thompson airing his opinion, but what is disconcerting is that he is a high school teacher. In my experience the best teachers are those who have enough respect for their students to empower them with the ability to form their own opinions based on the information available. I'm guessing Mr. Thompson's students don't often get that opportunity.

The great American feminist, Emma Goldman, said, "The most violent element in society is ignorance." I find her words quite relevant here.?

JAN MURPHY

Oceanside

Chorale tribute to former teacher

Last Saturday afternoon my wife, Shirley, and I attended a musical at the Fallbrook High School gym presented by the Fallbrook Chorale and members of the Fallbrook High School Alumni who attended Fallbrook High between 1956 and 1979.

It was a very nice program, done well, exhibiting excellent talent. 1956 through 1979 were the years that Robert Roberds was the teacher in charge of most of the music at Fallbrook High School. Two of our three children were involved in his musical programs. I was playing in a U.S. Army Band in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, when Bud and Jewel and their two children moved to Fallbrook from the San Jacinto area, but I got to know them soon after I returned back to civilian life in Fallbrook. The program was a well-deserved and overdue tribute to Mr. Roberds.

Since he is a keyboardist and I am a saxophonist, together we have entertained at many functions all these years for affairs not related to teaching.

He is now 27 years away from his last teaching assignment, and the students whose lives he has touched will not let his legacy fade. As they grow older they realize how important those days spent in his classroom were. I know because I have heard this over and over. I went to bed feeling good because of the program and tribute.

JACK STORY

president

Fallbrook Historical Society

Fallbrook

Via de la Valle

I am adamantly opposed to the widening of Via de la Valle. I live in Del Mar and I believe this ññ if it happens, it will negatively change the character of our community. The traffic will be horrendous, not to mention there will be more pollution, crime and fatalities due to increased speeds.

NICK POULIOS

Del Mar

Vista High medical volunteers

The Sports Medicine Club at Vista High School would like to recognize the following community members for volunteering their time and expertise for the preseason physical exams held this last year.

Andrew Cooperman, MD, orthopaedic surgeon, and Jim Gillan, PA, orthopaedics; Ron Cottrell, DC, and Kyle Tetz, DC, of Cottrell Chiropractics; Charles Lewis, Dennis Smith, Kim Brummett of Tri-City Physical Therapy; Maria Mejia-O'Neill, Monica Schutt and Monique York of Rancho Physical Therapy; Chanell Calhoun, MD, Julie Rios, MA, Maria Villalobos, MA, and Azucena Gonzales, MA, of North County Health Services; Dan Gross of PRN Physical Therapy; Dr. Esch of Tri-City Orthopaedics; and Kevin Seufert, MD, retired Navy, our team physician.

These physicals are fundraising events for the athletic training program at VHS. The money buys supplies and equipment for the prevention and care of athletic injuries. We are very fortunate at Vista High to have a well-equipped and stocked athletic training medical facility. We treat and tape hundreds of student athletes from over 40 teams during the course of the school year. This would not be possible without their efforts. They did an outstanding job and we couldn't have done it without them. Thanks again and we look forward to next season.

Go Big Red!

MICHELLE HAMILTON

athletic trainer

Vista High School

Murrieta Mesa a more fitting name for school

It's astonishing that so many people living outside of Murrieta have stuck their noses into an affair that doesn't concern them. Example: Temecula resident Linda Woods (Letters, June 29) complaining about the Murrieta school board decision to name our next high school Murrieta Mesa instead of Ronald Reagan High School.

She claims that the anti-Reagan people made a political issue of it. Talk about twisting facts. When board member Ken Dickson advocated the name, he admitted that it was to please the conservative members of the community -- supposedly to get them to vote for the bond issue. The actual result was divisive. It created bitter feelings in the community between the conservatives and the liberals. Liberals do not accept Reagan as being the near-god that the ultraconservatives do.

Ms. Woods further complains about the chosen name Murrieta Mesa. It is bland, she says. Where was she when they named the new high schools in her district, Chaparral and Great Oak? Does she consider those names exciting?

Murrieta Mesa does three things for our community. First, it identifies the school as being in Murrieta. Second, it fits the geographical terminology of the area according to original maps. Third, it is not divisive. Besides, we Murrietans think the name has a nice ring to it.

Temecula is building its fourth high school. Now Ms. Woods has the opportunity to suggest they name it after Ronnie, the "native son" from Illinois, and they can have the distinction.

DICK SHERMAN

Murrieta

Wildomar has a chance to reclaim parks

After seven years of trying to get parks, Wildomar will have a chance to finally bring parks back. On July 12, the county will mail ballots to all residential property owners within the Wildomar Parks boundaries. The cost of the assessment will be $45 per year, per household. That's about the price of one Happy Meal per month.

This assessment will provide the necessary funding to maintain a little more than 25 acres of parks. And, as the community grows, we will be able to open additional parks to match our growth. If passed, Wildomar will have four parks, including a 10-acre park on the southeast side of the freeway.

However, if this assessment does not pass, the outcome is very clear: We will lose millions of dollars of funding for the rehabilitation of community parks and will continue to be without any parks in Wildomar.

There is no question that Wildomar needs parks. This is our chance to get parks quickly, and at very little cost. Join the countless supporters and vote "yes" on this very important initiative. Ballots must be received by Aug. 29. Go to www.wildomarparks.com for further information.

SUSAN LANE

Wildomar

Vail Ranch foot-dragging unacceptable

Thank you, John Hunneman! The foot-dragging, and blatant shirking of duty of all principals responsible for the preservation of the Vail Ranch property is unacceptable ("It's in the papers," June 29). The Californian is to be commended for placing this issue square on the front page of the local section.

Historically, only extreme pressure from local and county government, accompanied by legal action, seems to get resolution to such issues. No doubt, the time is here to do just that for the preservation of the Vail Ranch property.

Thank you, Vail Ranch Restoration Association for your efforts over the past 10 years. Hopefully, those that can bring the appropriate pressure will read this.

BILL BACCUS

Temecula

Reagan was a friend of education

What a shame that the Murrieta school board sided with the critics of naming their next high school after Ronald Reagan. One of the deciding factors was that they said Reagan was not a supporter of education. I was a teacher for 36 years and any educator knows the best results in education are achieved when there is local control. That's what Ronald Reagan believed in for all endeavors.

When districts such as Murrieta and Temecula are forced to initiate ineffective programs and buy materials and textbooks they don't want or need because the state or federal government insists on it, they lose valuable funding that could be used for their real necessities. Does the term "unfunded mandates" mean anything to you? Districts are never given enough money to cover the mandated programs that continue whether they work or not.

Test scores should make us accountable and in Temecula and Murrieta, ours are great. Ronald Reagan believed that individuals know what's best for their community. That's why he recognized those who built the sports park in Temecula for having the "can do" spirit.

Who would be better to inspire students than he? Not only should we be naming schools after him, he should be an integral part of our local history. What would be more relevant to students than learning about a sports park, built by the community and mentioned in a speech by a former president and governor?

ADELE HARRISON

Temecula

Accusations against board 'far-fetched'

I am responding to Jim Roach's letter June 29, where he did his usual attack on me due to the fact that he is the investor that backed, funded and hand-picked his "bloc of four," as he had put on his fliers.

I have at no time ever said I was against renters, which is the most outlandish statement I have read. Mr. Roach is known for his far-fetched accusations when he doesn't agree with you and this is one of many that he has thrown at me.

He said, "Signing that recall petition is the first step to jeopardizing our senior community." Another scare tactic of his. Our bylaws ban nonowners from meetings, not us. Article 8.7 of our bylaws states regular and special meetings of the board shall be open to all members of the association.

Article 3.1 states ownership of a residential lot shall be sole qualification for membership. Nowhere does it say a nonowner can attend meetings. This is why we have to sign in before meetings and give our membership number.

Paul Jacobs wrote a column June 25 that described fully what is happening here in the Core. Please read it. Come to the meetings and see what is happening. It's all the proof you need instead of being misled to by an investor that uses the Core area as his livelihood.

PAT THURMAN

Sun City

Web Comments

Former Marine exonerated

Readers responded to an article Sunday profiling Ilario Pantano, a former Marine how had been accused and was exonerated of premeditated murder in Iraq. The article compared his ordeal with the plight of eight servicemen detained at Camp Pendleton on charges of kidnapping and killing an Iraqi man.

An American Hero

NRG: Lt. Pantano is a bona fide American hero, the likes of which the average sleepwalking, American Idol-watching American cannot even begin to imagine. Put down your cheeseburger, porn and ball game and read this book about someone you'll never be, but at the least, should respect and admire. This hero is the antithesis of most lazy, self-absorbed Americans.

War justice

Jack: We need to bear in mind that things may happen in war that justice systems were not designed to properly consider. This is why I believe the charges against these Marines should never have taken place. The Lieutenant lost a career as a result of procedure. Once that incident was recorded in his record, his future promotions would have been slow, if at all. Resigning was the practical thing to do.

Comparisons premature

Harry: We need to settle down and wait for the evidence and the determination by the military judicial system. Comparisons to the massacre in Vietnam or even to Pantano's exoneration are premature. We need to wait and see what unfolds. At this point, "probable cause" will/will not lead to charges and a trial. There is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, but volunteering to serve in the Marines doesn't exonerate anyone in advance from criminal conduct. Let's wait and see. We don't need Michael Jackson-style demonstrations at the gates protesting their innocence or Scott Peterson-like presumption of guilt before the trial is completed.

Presumption of innocence

John1: Harry, The problems with your statements are that no one in the military hierarchy has spoken up that my son and his brothers in arms are accorded and deserve a presumption of innocence. The only USMC senior officer that spoke on that was Col. Navarre, couching it, of course, between other phrases which scream undue command influence. And describing the good people in front of the gates as "Michael Jackson" style is insulting to the heroism of my son and his squad. John, Proud Father of PFC John.

Most Fourth of July events free, but not in Carlsbad

Readers respond to our July 3 story about how folks who want to watch the fireworks in Carlsbad will have to pay for the privilege while most of North County explodes with free patriotic fervor on the Fourth of July.

Oh say can you see?

FleetStreet: "You can see the Legoland fireworks for free from the parking lots of the office buildings along Fleet Street or adjacent Armada Drive (the road above the Flower Fields) in Carlsbad."

Don't let freedom ring

Carlsbad is the only smart city as usual: "Every other city would rather go in debt then not fireworks. Carlsbad is smart enough to say if you want them, pay for them. Good show, Carlsbad. That is why Carlsbad has a strong economy, an airport, a strong infrastructure with well-paid police and fire personnel. Carlsbad is smart!"

Whose broad stripes?

A reader: "Carlsbad's decision not have a free fireworks display puts pressure on their neighboring cities. Carlsbad residents wishing to view fireworks without having to pay for the privilege will be adding to the traffic and crowds in neighboring cities."

This land is my land

So Cal Native: "To all you transplants that are anti fireworks in Carlsbad, it used to be the thing to do. There was never any problems even when they closed down Carlsbad Blvd. Those were the good old days that are long gone because Carlsbad in to CHEAP when we know they have plenty of money. How long has Bud been mayor now? Forever."

My city, 'tis of thee…

El Jefe: "I love living in Carlsbad where we pay for everything & try to keep out the riffraff & law enforcement problems."

Patriotic pina coladas

Harry: "America's greatest song writer and beach guy-Jimmy Buffet-wrote: "Independence Day, And all I remember was a midnight rainbow that fell from the sky. As I stand on the beach I slowly surrender to the child in me that can't say good-bye. The rockets in the air and the people everywhere put away their differences for a while. Oh I am still a child when it comes to something wild. Oh that was the night I painted the sky.'"

Ten arrested in Escondido sobriety checkpoint

Readers respond to our July 3 story about Escondido police arrested 10 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence or other violations during a five-hour sobriety checkpoint Saturday night.

Tell us who

Susan: "Great work! The more of those the merrier! I'd like to see a full list of the people who were arrested and ticketed included in your article. That may be an incentive to think twice about drinking and being just plain stupid!"

Nice job

Skip: "Well there are probably a few less uninsured, unlicensed, and illegal alien drivers on the road today. Thank you, Escondido Police Dept."

Could be anyone

Pete Nice: "NC Times should publish a list of those who were arrested or had their rides impounded, that way all the folks who post negative comments about illegals can get a nice wake up call and see that some of those arrested are actually normal people with families and good jobs. My supervisor got caught in one of those sweeps a few years ago and she was an IT manager making 70k a year. Quit blaming illegals for everything that goes wrong."

Adds up

Paul: "What a revealing fact - 86 cars impounded because of no license or suspended license. That is 17 cars impounded per hour during the 5 hour operation of the checkpoint. Makes one pause to think about the risk of driving with many of the drivers out there!"

Go get them

Al: "I support doing these random check-points every month in Escondido. Get the message out to all the uninsured, unregistered, unlicensed, gang-bangers, drunks and felons that this town is serious about cleaning up its image and making it a safer place for law-abiding citizens. Good job, Esco Police."

Roses & raspberries

Readers respond to our July 3 editorial which gave a raspberry to San Diego County Fair for the overabundance of unhealthy, fattening food and a raspberry to those protesting the Mexican flag flying next to and just under the U.S. flag at the entrance to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Give me tasty fare

American Idiot: "If I want food that tastes good, I go to the San Diego County Fair. If I want food that is healthy, I go the health food store!"

Facts of flags

CR: "Six Flags started with the idea of the six flags that had flown over Texas during its history - not to honor specific countries. We already cater to Mexico in taking care of many of its citizens - why fly their flag, too? Check your facts, NCT!"

Illegal tourism

Larry: "If the NC Times believes that the Mexican flag is flying at the fair to attract Mexican tourists, then they must believe that when a phone system says to push '2' for Spanish, or an ATM gives choices in Spanish, or their SDG&E bill is half in Spanish that we are overrun with Mexican tourists. Evidently the NC Times has started labeling illegals aliens 'tourists.'"