Mailbag: Debating Measure N and the proposed Aloft hotel
Theater group enthralls audience
Thank you to Glendale Arts for partnering with the Antaeus Theatre Co. for a reading of William Inge’s classic play “Picnic” on Monday in the Alex Theatre forecourt. It was wonderful.
Without the aid of microphones, 11 superb Antaeus actors kept a modestly numbered but completely enthralled audience immersed in the classic Midwestern story about the power and potential of love, regardless of one’s age.
This fall, thanks to Glendale Arts and the Glendale Economic Development Corp., Antaeus Theatre Co. will open its new theater at 110 E. Broadway with Tennessee Williams’ “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.” The groundbreaking is scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 11. I encourage everyone who loves theater to be there.
Dan Cabrera
Glendale
Forum to focus on Measure N
In the old and mostly forgotten TV series “Dragnet,” Sgt. Joe Friday’s constant mantra was, “Just give me the facts” and that is what most of us want with the Utility Users Tax Funding Elimination Initiative, known as Measure N.
Because Measure N on the June ballot is one of the most important and controversial issues facing Glendale residents, the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Assn. is holding a community forum on Tuesday to present both sides of the matter in order to clarify concerns and questions.
It will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at New Life Christian Church, 1020 W. Kenneth Road.
The pro side will have Bill Taliaferro, from the Tax Limitation Committee. Tom Lorenz, director of communications and community relations for Glendale, will discuss why the city is opposing it. After the speakers discuss the merits and problems, questions will be taken from the audience.
Carol Brusha
Member, Northwest Glendale Homeowners Assn.
Gender-based ballot suggestions
Those of you who took to heart the April 16, Op-Ed “Running as a woman isn’t easy” have a golden opportunity to bring this state into the 21st century in terms of gender parity by voting June 7 for three terrific candidates: Kathryn Barger for county supervisor, Phlunte’ Riddle for 25th Senate District, Laura Friedman for 43rd Assembly District. Watch the League of Women Voters’ recent forums on the Burbank public-access channel or Burbank’s YouTube channel.
Laurie Collins
Glendale
Planners left staff out of equation
Last Saturday, I drove around the block of the proposed Aloft hotel on Brand Boulevard at Dryden Street, and there was not one street parking space available.
Vila Zemaititis, a planner with the city of Glendale, tells us that 85 parking spaces are just right for an 85-room hotel with a restaurant. “The impacts were less than significant and didn’t necessitate further review,” she said.
Really.
Assuming all the rooms are rented, where do the hotel and restaurant staffs park? Where are deliveries made? Where will I park if I want to go out to dinner in the hotel restaurant?
This is just crazy. If the Glendale Planning Department can’t see how this hotel negatively impacts a neighborhood well outside the Downtown Specific Plan area then we need a whole new planning department.
Jim Kussman
Glendale
Guard’s presence is intimidating
Is there a security issue at the Grandview Library? I ask this because they have a security guard at the entrance to the parking lot every day/all day that the library is open. When he is not out there, he stands “guard” by the main desk (where you check in/out books) with his arms folded across his chest.
He is very intimidating and, by his presence and actions, doesn’t make the library an inviting place to read, etc. This branch cut the hours and days it is open because of monetary issues, but yet they hired this security guard. Why?
When I first became aware of this situation, I was at the computers and asked one of the librarians why there was a security guard now. As he was attempting to explain to me why, the guard came over to the both of us and said “Is there a problem here?” Mind you, we were whispering. Furthermore, we were adults and one of us was a staff member.
Also, I have noticed there are a lot of children at the library right after school. The children are just letting off steam after being at their desks most of the day. But is this the place? This branch has become a day-care center for children whose parents are working.
The configuration of the children’s book area was also changed to be right next to and in the midst of the adult computers. This is fine if the purpose of the library now is day care. But, for heaven’s sake, tell the rest of the community and parents. The adults and older teens that are trying to make use of the computers need to know about the challenges that this branch has.
Carol Szilagyi
Glendale
There are other places to cut costs
Glendale City Manager Scott Ochoa reported in the May 12 edition of the Glendale News-Press that he recommends closing six libraries if Measure N passes. His proposed cuts have focused on the 18% of the budget that supports police (9.7%), fire (7.0%), and libraries (1.3%).
Why doesn’t he look at the 82% spent on ineffective, do-nothing departments like Neighborhood Services instead of only looking for cuts in the services the community wants? If the City Council accepts his recommendation to cut safety first, they are more irresponsible than the ineffective management team they employ.
Victor Hanson
Glendale