Our readers write: Issue of June 28, 2018

More on Seven Oaks

Marie Woodruff wrote a letter on May 23 asserting that during my tenure as president of the Seven Oaks Association, less than $4,000 was spent on legal fees. In a June 14 published rebuttal, Walter de Lorrell claimed that the correct figure was $44,000. He is incorrect in this financial matter and incorrect in most of the rest of his rebuttal.

I was on the board from March 2014 to March 2016. The association’s profit-and-loss statements for my tenure as president reveal that total legal expenditures were $2,867, not the ridiculous $44,000 mentioned in de Lorrell’s rebuttal. The above accounting figures are readily available to anyone seeking the truth. Following sound financial practices, our board submitted the only no-increase budget in annual assessment costs in recent memory. Folks who write inaccurate rebuttals should pay more attention to facts rather than agenda.

There is one Seven Oaks Association, not six separate and individually managed associations as claimed by de Lorrell. All residents living in the Seven Oaks Association are subject to the Association’s CC&Rs. The statement by de Lorrell that Marie Woodruff “does not live in our HOA” is outrageously false, but does reveal a mindset. There is not an exclusive HOA governing only the center and separate houses as implied by de Lorrell.

Glen Vaughan

Rancho Bernardo

Short-term rentals praised

I am a responsible homeowner and strong supporter of short-term rentals, whether homeowners

are present or not. Renting out my entire home or through Airbnb when I am away has been a literal lifeline for me, after personal troubles and medical issues put me in a situation where I was in fear of losing my house.

Having rented for almost five years now and seeing the constant public debate about short-term rentals, it is reassuring to see that the mayor may have a proposal that can serve as the compromise. To me, this proposal, which officially legalizes home sharing, strikes a good balance between both sides on this issue and ensures that San Diego will be able to benefit from the home-sharing economy.

Susan Adams

Ranch Bernardo

Council makes poor choice

On the evening of June 18, 15 concerned citizens applied for the vacant Poway City Council seat. Many of these citizens have lived here for years and volunteered for various city committees and other groups within our city. Yet our council and the mayor chose someone they knew, with a degree in political science and San Diego County government experience, but with no experience in Poway. She had just moved to Poway four months ago.

Each councilman and the mayor were allowed to choose three out of the 15 applicants. Mayor Vaus and Councilman Leonard made only one choice, the new Powegian. Councilman Mullin chose two, one of them being the newcomer. Councilman Grosch chose three applicants, none whom were the new arrival. There were no finalists, no questions and there was no debate. Of course, the new Powegian won unanimously. This was a huge slap in the face to the other applicants, many of whom have stellar resumes and reputations. However, perhaps they haven’t always agreed on important issues with the majority of the City Council.

In the November election the new council member will run as incumbent, even though she was not elected. Don’t be fooled.

Please attend city council meetings, find out who’s running for city offices and what their background and agendas are. Get involved and let your voice be heard.

These kind of political games are unacceptable, and should not be tolerated in our fine city. It’s time for a change.

Mary Vedborg

Poway

Council ‘stacks the deck’

I learned on the evening of June 18 that the Poway City Council does not trust the voters of Poway to make the “right” decision concerning who will complete Councilmember Cunningham’s term. Instead of choosing to simply not appoint anyone to the five-month interim period and keep the November election on a level playing field, the council decided it was important to make an appointment now.

Since I will not be running in the November election, I offered myself as an option to keep the November election fair. However, the council chose to give an “insider” a head start. It was someone who just moved to Poway four months ago who was deemed to be the most qualified candidate to preserve Poway’s values. She will now have the advantage of incumbency in November.

The council obviously does not trust the democratic process and chose to stack the deck instead. Shame on them!

Pete Babich

Poway

Lyles ‘ill-informed’

Your June 7 column discusses disinformation in our society, I do agree with you that rumors of dubious origin are quickly believed by the uninformed. I add to that scenario the Dick Lyles column in the same issue, “What keeps me awake at night.”

This is our own homegrown example of an ill-informed person who obviously relies on Fox News for his dissertation on the wonders our current administration has given us. He would benefit from watching PBS news.

Never mind the denial of global warming by cabinet members, or claim by another esteemed cabinet member that public schools are not functioning. The past year was the hottest on record and yet this was downplayed. We will have to inform all those proud parents of the children who attend Poway Unified School District schools that they are really not that smart and that a private, for- profit charter school would be better.

Yes, we have to become smarter and better informed.

Shirley Cooper

Rancho Bernardo

Confusing terms?

It’s easy to confuse “deportation” with “deployment.” In both cases families are torn apart, children never knowing when or if they will ever see their parent again.

In one case the “liberals” say it’s a crime against humanity. In the other “conservatives” say it’s necessary to save humanity.

Ted Sandall

Poway

New owner praised

A hearty and thankful welcome from a 38-year Poway resident to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, your newspaper’s new owner. It is with extreme gratefulness that we are blessed with a true American who will report the truth devoid of racism, elitism and just plain lack of humanity or empathy to our fellow human race.

Reading his June 21 letter brought tears to my eyes, to finally feel like there is hope in this country after this past year-and-a-half disaster in our government. To feel daily so helpless and hopeless by the lack of humanity, morality and ethics with no checks and balances, we live in a dictator state. What happened to America?

Thank you, Dr. Soon-Shiong.

Terry Pray

Poway

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com