Letters to the Editor: Story on Glendale Youth Alliance prompts tribute to those who brought it to life
Re: “Life skills program wins top honor” (July 26) about the Glendale Youth Alliance (GYA). I was disappointed that the writer did not mention the founder of the program.
In the early ’90s, civic leader Jack Quinn was visiting an at-risk program for teens. He asked one, what would it take to keep him out of trouble and out of gangs? The teen promptly replied, “jobs.”
Quinn shared an idea with Jess Duran and Sam Engel at the Glendale Community Development and Neighborhood Services departments respectively. Together they formed the GYA. The mission was to keep teens safe, instill values and earn money. The program became a unique nonprofit overseen by a city department. There were struggles, but the program survived and prospered.
Duran and Engel have retired. Quinn passed away in January 2016. He often said, after all the awards he received for community service, the most meaningful moment came from a former GYA member after a luncheon. The member approached Quinn; extended his hand, introduced himself and said, “Thank you for keeping me alive.” Mission accomplished.
Carole Jouroyan
Glendale
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I have lived in Glendale all of my life. Within the last couple of years during my daily drive home on Glenoaks Boulevard in Glenoaks Canyon, I have noticed old discarded furniture, grass that is knee high, dried lawns and houses with paint chipping on this premier street in Glendale.
I know there was a drought, but I think the time has come for code enforcement officials start enforcing codes that affect the appearance of this beautiful neighborhood. The city should have a hotline for residents to call for pickup of bulky items and charge the resident. If people choose to keep their lawns brown, at least cut the weeds. You would think the cost of homes in this area would attract owners with pride-of-ownership values.
Foster S. Dennis
Glendale
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For the year or so the main branch of the Glendale Public Library was closed for renovations, I sorely missed it. Now attempting to use the recently reopened library, I have to say I still miss it.
Our former library has been replaced by an ugly monument to wasted space, with a nonsensical layout and only one computer dedicated to accessing the catalog. That computer was malfunctioning today, which hardly mattered, since none of the books I was seeking were available at the main branch.
As one of the Glendale authors who was invited to the grand reopening ceremony in May, I was thrilled to participate. But if I want something to read, I’d better drive to Pasadena.
Michael Mallory
Glendale
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Re: “In response to ongoing investigation, President Trump calls Schiff ‘sleazy’” (July 26), I have one short and clear message. The message is not Republican or Democrat. It’s not left or right. It’s not pro-Trump or anti-Trump. I have followed Congress from Capitol Hill (as a daily television reporter) and from afar (in Glendale).
We can probably all agree that a majority of today’s 435 congressmen have, to varying degrees, their challenges when it comes to integrity. But, if we could create a list of the Top 10 Members of Congress, who are the least “sleazy,” Rep. Adam Schiff would be at the the top of the list. Such out-of-thin-air verbal creations really add nothing to our political culture and our shared American society.
Peter Musurlian
Glendale
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Re: “Glendale’s fees on building granny flats may decrease” (July 22), I thought you did a nice job of writing on this issue. The only point missing was that I suggested we adopt a flat fee of $4,700 for up to 500 square feet of accessory-dwelling unit.
The figure of $4,700 was approved by all members of the City Council. I think this reflects a reasonable fee since it is split right in the middle of $4,245 for single-family dwellings and $5,205 for multifamily residences.
Councilman Vrej Agajanian
Glendale