Mailbag: Repair money went to CalPERS

Re: “Starbird, sons, sue city over sidewalk,” Sept. 17. On Sept. 13 I came before Glendale City Council to inform the public that the former city manager, Jim Starbird, had filed a $1-million claim against the city.

Starbird claims that while pushing his wife in a wheelchair “the chair hit an uplifted sidewalk, thrusting his wife forward. She struck her head on the concrete, which caused a severe concussion, and she died shortly thereafter,” the News-Press reports.

After the incident, city officials spray-painted the elevated portion of sidewalk bright orange. As Starbird’s attorney pointed out, that simple fix years ago would have prevented the accident.

Years ago, concerned citizens Herbert Molano and Richard Espiritu came before the council week after week, asking for an aggressive policy for sidewalk and road repairs. Mr. Espiritu was very passionate about ADA compliance.

Council members Friedman and Najarian, who bestowed accolades upon Starbird upon his retirement, would often remain silent when these two gentlemen came before the council with complaints and generally waited for a reply by then-City Manager Starbird. He generally stated all was under control.

It appears Starbird was a miser when it came to finding money for sidewalk and road maintenance, but never had a problem finding money for generous salaries and pensions for his beloved CalPERS union workforce.

We are sorry for the loss of Starbird’s wife, a very respected person in the community, but the claim against the city brought on by Starbird and family is appalling and unconscionable.

When city manager, he had plenty of time and opportunity to fix our sidewalks and roads. Starbird will be suing Glendale taxpayers for his mistakes.

Mike Mohill
Glendale

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Did Starbird fix sidewalks?

Re: “Starbird, sons, sue city over sidewalk,” Sept. 17. First of all it is very sad to lose a family member by an accident that could have been avoided.

Nonetheless, I was amazed by the suit against the city by former Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird, for damages in the amount of $1 million. Did Mr. Starbird use that part of the street frequently?

I was wondering if during Jim Starbird’s 14 years of managing the city of Glendale, all the sidewalks in the city were in perfect condition. If not, were there were any lawsuits for such accidents, and if yes, what was the amount of monetary damages paid by the city?

Vahe Kabakian
Glendale

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Cycling in Glendale isn’t safe, period

Our city is in the process of trying to develop safe training and safe passages for pedestrians and bike riders. The most important thing officials are failing to tell parents is that there is no guarantee of safety for anyone crossing or riding a bike on the streets with 3,500-pound cars and drivers always in a hurry and on some kind of device taking their attention away from safe driving.

Any parent who allows a small or young child to ride their bike to school in this kind of traffic has to be out of their mind. Do not let anyone tell you, regardless of who they are or how much money they are spending, that it is safe.They have never lost a child to being hit or run over by a car. If they had, the program would be don’t do it. Take it from parents who have had this happen to them and have lost a child to a hit-and-run driver. This letter is in memory of our son Jeffery A. Moorehouse.

Larry and Patricia Moorehouse
Glendale

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Armenia needs continued defense

The 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence was celebrated at the Armenian Consulate on Sept. 15. The prideful unity, along with Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), proves we can triumph in honor. Let the world repeat: Long live Mother Armenia for peace to be on earth!

Glendale Mayor Paula Devine congratulated Armenia’s and Artsakh’s independence and the arts and culture of Armenia. Arevik (Little Sun) Junior Ensemble, from Armenia, sang the Armenian National Anthem. While remembering her recent trip to Armenia for the Pan-Armenian games, Devine admired our nation of so much heart and recognized us as a vibrant community of diligent people for our families and country.

Wilsonian Armenia protects our borders, however it is now under the hands of the perpetrators. Maintaining Armenia’s safety and defending her is important, as constant border attacks will soon expand. Let’s give voice to the nation and continue President Woodrow Wilson’s 1920 legacy to obtain the return of our lost lands.

“Our turquoise sky, our clear waters, the flood of light, the summer sun and the proud winter borealis … our age-old stones … our ancient etched books which have become a prayer” (Yeghishe Charents, “Ode to Armenia”). Should we lose our quarter of a century independence, Armenia’s natural beauty will dissipate or be demolished.

Rachel Melikian
Glendale