Downtown Pests

I recently took my two young sons to an event at the old Concourse Convention Center downtown. We parked in a lot a few blocks from the center and had just gotten out of our car when we were confronted by a filthy, disheveled individual, who ranted at us in a threatening manner. We got back in the car, found another lot, had to pay $5 to the attendant because we were going to a “special event” and started walking to the train show. We were just at the corner of the Convention Center when another disheveled person stepped in our way and demanded money. He got none.

As we were leaving the show a man rushed at us and shoved a printed page in my hand. The sheet said that he was deaf and wanted money. I turned toward my son to tell him that I was sick and tired of all these panhandlers, when the “deaf” man, who couldn’t see my lips moving, took the sheet from my hand, and gave it to someone else.

I understand that Mayor Mo and the dwarfs on the City Council want to put the new main library a few blocks away from where we experienced these incidents. Supposedly this library will be a showcase to impress all the visitors to our city. I will never be able to have my children use the library--I will fear for their safety. I’m sure the parking fees near the library will be exorbitant as well. So who will use the library? Visitors? Members of the City Council?

The more I see what the people who run our city are doing, the more I question if they are on the same mental planet as those of us who are struggling to support them through our taxes.

HENRY SCHULMAN

San Diego