Mailbag: Paying for Glendale’s Rose Parade float and utility tax
More chargers, more business
A few months ago, an article was published about Burbank installing several new electric car chargers along Glenoaks Boulevard and North Hollywood Way. Since then, I have used the one on North Hollywood Way near Magnolia Boulevard on several occasions. I park my car, plug it in, swipe my credit card, do my business and come back to a full or nearly recharged vehicle.
I am left wondering why there are no electric chargers along the many public parking spots in Glendale, especially on Brand Boulevard. A typical charger takes up about as much space as a parking meter, and could potentially provide a little more revenue for the city of Glendale. Businesses in downtown Glendale would likely welcome the money EV owners who park near them bring.
There are more and more electric vehicles on the market. Tesla just unveiled their “EV for the Masses,” the Model 3; Chevy will unveil the Bolt, a full-electric counterpart to the Volt, sometime next year; the new model Nissan Leaf has increased mileage to boost an excellent reputation. I am certain most people in Glendale have seen at least one Tesla, Volt or Leaf.
As for driving the cars themselves, besides no more trips to gas stations: a quiet, smooth engine; instant acceleration; no more oil changes; no smog checks.
More access for electric vehicles benefits all involved.
Antonio E. Gonzalez
Glendale
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Proud of the work at Ascencia’s shelter
On March 29, I had the privilege of helping to serve dinner at Ascencia’s 120-bed Winter Shelter in Glendale. I was joining about 15 volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Glendale to serve hot-off-the-grill hamburgers and hot dogs to the guests. After 41/2 months of nightly shelter, this was the final night of the program and there were definitely a lot of emotions in the air. Most of the guests would be returning to the cold streets the very next day. As if to drive the point home, it started to rain that afternoon. I heard a couple of the guests concerned about where they were going to sleep after the shelter closed. They said they’d miss the warm meals, as well as the calm and safety of the shelter. It saddened me to think that all of these people would be back on the streets the next night when I would climb into my warm bed.
But I also saw the commitment and hard work by staff to make the shelter a positive experience for so many. Their efforts need to be applauded. Staff kept the facility immaculate. It was obvious that staff had instigated structure for each night. The guests knew where to make their cots and where to stand in line for dinner. The needs of the disabled guests were met. Questions and requests by the guests were handled with smiles. Though staff used a firm hand, they were caring. Most importantly, the guests appeared happy, as happy as can be under the circumstances.
Congratulations to the staff of Ascencia. I am indeed proud to be associated with Ascencia.
Debbie Hinckley
Glendale
The writer is co-vice president of the Ascencia Board of Directors
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Willing to donate toward Rose float
I just finished reading the article in the News-Press regarding the City Council saying no to a Rose Parade float for 2017. The council cited a lack of funds raised and disinterest in the community. They also stated that the final tally the float association raised by the time of the council meeting on Tuesday was $26,000.
I, for one, did not know that they were looking for donations. I did not see anything in the News-Press that said this nor did I see where I could send a donation. Why weren’t fliers sent out by the association asking the people of the city of Glendale for a donation? My wife and I would have gladly sent in a donation. I would think that if everyone living in Glendale sent in a $25 donation we would be able to fund this float.
Richard Jenkins
Glendale
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A tax we should pay
I dislike paying taxes almost as much as I dislike growing older. There doesn’t seem to be much I can do about either.
I dislike paying the city’s Utility Users Tax. I know I will dislike slower response times from our police and fire department or not being able to go to the library.
It might seem like a good idea to reduce the revenue to the general fund by $17 million or $17.5 million and then go find equivalent savings by reducing the pay and benefits of city employees. That just isn’t going to happen.
The benefits that most city employees enjoy are the result of collective bargaining negotiations that are legal binding contracts. Hopefully we can move away from those lucrative retirement benefits and Cadillac medical plans, but that will take time and resolve on the part on the city’s negotiators. Who knows if they have that resolve? Actually we have to move away from those agreements or bankruptcy is a real possibility.
Every time there is a move to reduce revenue, the city brain trusts tell us the sky is falling and there will be no police, fireman or libraries. I am sure those draconian results are an exaggeration but a reduction in revenue is going to result in some changes and I am not sure I want to chance those results.
What I am sure of is I don’t want Los Angeles County Sheriff’s or Fire departments to be our police or fire departments and I really like going to the library.
Jim Kussman
Glendale