Our readers write: Issue of April 19, 2018

Preserve open space

For the past 23 years I have lived in the Tustin Hills section of south Poway for 23 years. It’s an area filled with modest homes, friendly neighbors and one special “jewel” – a small-but-popular undeveloped hillside. It’s filled with walking trails, lovely views and abundant plants and wildlife.

When city officials developed the top of this hill into the Poway Business Park, they promised to leave the rest of the area untouched. Now a Sacramento developer want to rezone 7.66 acres of this space to shoehorn in 50 homes, 2,500 square feet each, that he claims will be for “moderate income” residents. These homes, he says, will start at $699,000.

If he is successful at this rezoning attempt, this opens space will be gone forever. Fellow Powegians, the residents of south Poway are beseeching you not to sign the petition brought to you by paid signature gatherers to place on the November ballot the rezoning of an area bordered by Metate Lane and Montauk Street. We must preserve the small amount of open space remaining in the area and keep “The City in the Country” dream alive for all of us.

Elizabeth Derr

Poway

No real benefit

There’s a freeway that runs through central Poway, also known as Twin Peaks Road. The vast majority of users appear to be Ramona residents and Poway Business Park employees speeding to and from work each day.

Twin Peaks, from Pomerado Road east to Community Road was built for the Rancho Arbolitos neighborhoods and they were assessed to fund the improvements. That fee was increased in 1996. Now city management says costs, landscaping, etc. is rising, so they want to increase the fee, in some cases, by 100 percent.

My subdivision was built a decade before all of that started, but since I’m close to Arbolitos, the fine people down at City Hall, in all of their wisdom, say I benefit from the landscaping and should pay the same amount.

If my gardener ups his prices, do I tell my neighbor that it benefits him, so he should pay too? Give me a break!

Alan Johnson

Poway

Letter omits details

Richard Taylor’s acclaim for President Trump (Letters, March 29) ignores the president’s most disturbing and dangerous behavior - his fulsome praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as witnessed by recent congratulations on his rigged election, combined with a special invitation to the White House.

Also noteworthy is his failure to condemn Putin on his probable role in interference in our 2016 elections, and in assassinations of dissidents in exile.

Now, it would be notable if the president could convince gun owners among his hard core followers that the Russians are no longer an invasion menace - a fear started in part by watching the 1984 motion picture “Red Dawn.” Then, their need for assault rifles to repel invaders might disappear.

Harvey W. Yurow

Rancho Bernardo

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com