Unquoted Majority Favors Retreat House

It is difficult for me to understand why newspaper people always look for negative attitudes, seemingly favoring those in opposition while ignoring those who favor a project, a program or a viewpoint.

A case in point is the report by Greg Braxton on May 24 concerning the unanimous appeal ruling by the Board of Zoning Appeals endorsing the Sisters of Bethany’s retreat house and convent in the hills above Tujunga.

The story starts out “Despite protests” the board approved the project. It failed to indicate that most people in attendance were in favor of the project, that two community residents had paid personally for the appeal and that about 800 community residents had signed petitions in favor of the project.

Not one positive mention. The petitions were not of the normal type, collected willy-nilly at shopping centers by people from far and wide. These signatures were painstakingly garnered by supporters who talked to people throughout the community.

I think you would find, if you fairly assessed the community’s temperature, that the vast majority favors this project, which will be the spiritual landmark for us all.

I have lived most of my life in Sunland and recently moved to Palmdale. I still work on Sunland-Tujunga projects, including this one, and I feel that all the people who are favoring this project have been shortchanged in your news reports.

HAZEL GEISBAUER

Palmdale