Mailbag: Citing illegally tinted car windows will improve pedestrian and traffic safety

The concern in Glendale for pedestrian and traffic safety presents a question: Why are so many cars allowed tinted front windows and why are the drivers of these vehicles not being cited? How is one to recognize driver distraction, be it texting or otherwise, if all is hidden behind darkened windows? A visible nod from a driver assures a pedestrian of safe crossing, as does a go-ahead from one driver to another at intersections.

Much has been spent on enhanced crosswalks and other means to reduce accidents, but citing the blackened windows by authorities — windshields and front passenger windows — presents an inexpensive and productive improvement toward increased safety on Glendale streets.

Judith Springborn
Glendale

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GPD should be less wasteful

For the last few years, the Glendale Police Department headquarters on Isabel has been open for business only 40 to 50 hours per week (the day shift, Monday through Friday). Residents who seek assistance the other hours in the week are routed to 911 operators. This significant reduction in services is blamed on budget shortages.

Yet, waste by GPD continues. Three Saturdays ago, while on an early morning walk along Brand, I observed four police vehicles parked in front of Starbucks, with their engines running. On my return trip 25 minutes later, the vehicles were still there, engines still running, the drivers still in Starbucks. Why are officers taking a break so early in their shift? Why weren’t the vehicles’ engines turned off?

A week later, while walking to the courthouse on Broadway, I passed the police station on Isabel on two consecutive days. Each day there were police vehicles parked unoccupied in front of the station between 8:30 and 9 a.m. with their engines running. Is it GPD policy to leave cruisers running while their occupants are in the station?

Is GPD unconcerned about wasteful spending or adding to Glendale’s air pollution problems? How can these practices be sanctioned in light of the alleged budget shortfall?

Noel Johnson
Glendale

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Why would anyone set rent below fair market?

Interesting letter from Katherine Hall in the News-Press: “Rent prices are set by owners.” Of course rental prices are set by owners. Who else should set the price?

A piece of rental property is an investment and as the landlord/owner of that property, part of my job is to maximize the return on that investment, just like anything else I invest in.

If you own a hamburger stand, you get to decide how much you are going to charge for a hamburger. Charge too much and nobody buys the hamburger. Charge fair market and you sell hamburgers.

The same thing applies to rental property. Set rent too high and nobody applies. Set rent at fair market and many people fill out applications. Why would you ever set rent below fair market?

I wonder how the letter writer would feel if some governmental agency jumped in and told her how much money she could make on her investments. I hope she would be angry.

Enough already about the high cost of housing. Glendale gave up on that when they approved 4,200 new apartments with rents ranging from $2,200 for studio to $3,400 for a two-bedroom unit. No city agency told the developers what they could charge so why should they be allowed to tell any landlord/owner what they should charge? The answer is simple. The market should dictate.

Jim Kussman
Glendale

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Support Portantino for state senate

I had the pleasure of working with Anthony Portantino during our time on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council and I have continued to work with him in my professional capacity as a government affairs director for several Realtor associations in our area. I was very pleased that the California Assn. of Realtors voted to support his campaign for the state Senate.

Our 25th Senate District would be well-served by electing Portantino. Frankly, I don’t always agree with him — but 100% agreement isn’t the point when electing a representative. What counts most are the integrity and priorities of our elected leaders. In Portantino’s case, he has a record of fighting for the types of reforms we need and he puts public education at the top of his list.

Portantino understands our Foothills cities and our desire to have our children excel in outstanding public schools. He and his wife, Ellen, are active public school parents and PTA members. Please join me in supporting Portantino as our next state senator.

Laura Olhasso
La Cañada Flintridge