Let’s focus on the present, not dig...
Let’s focus on the present, not dig up the past
As a regular reader of the Leader’s sports pages, I believe I’ve
spotted a trend.
It seems to me that when current events give Sports Editor Jeff
Tully reason to pen something complimentary about Burbank High’s
football team, he also feels a frequent compulsion to devote nearly
an equal number of column inches to re-reporting some less than
flattering history about the program.
The problem is that he repeatedly digs back nearly a decade to
find the dirt.
Borrowing from the vernacular of the day, I’d like to say, “Dude!
That stuff is SO last century! Get over it!” After all, the incidents
and allegations Tully keeps re-excavating occurred when this year’s
seniors were in the third grade.
If ideas for sports stories are really that thin, contact me. I’ll
give you a half-dozen leads for current pieces about Burbank High
sports, and you can report some news instead of rehashing history.
JIM SETTLEMOIR
Burbank
Cell-phone use, renaming airport cause for concern
I just had to respond to both Wesley Greene and Cyndi Oatway
regarding the use of cell phones. I also had to respond to Cyndi’s
comment about the airport.
First, Cyndi is entitled to her opinion. However, as long as it
might cost the taxpayers $250,000 to rename the airport, I think you
are going to get a lot of letters regarding the cost. As for the cell
phones, this is a major safety issue.
Second, as Wesley Greene states, “To be preoccupied with talking
on a cell phone and maneuvering an auto at the same time can be
tricky and may be dangerous.”
It is dangerous. Although statistics show that only 5% of
accidents are caused by cell phones, with which by the way, I don’t
agree, I can wholeheartedly state that most of the people who almost
sideswiped me or almost caused an accident were preoccupied drivers
talking on their cell phones. I drive a round trip of 42 miles a day,
five days a week. I’ve experienced many a close call. Aside from
that, I know someone who almost ran a red light while on the cell
phone during a conversation with a co-worker. The co-worker called
this other employee to complain about her work.
To add insult to injury and make the stakes much higher, it has
come to my attention that several MTA bus drivers, including one in
particular, use the cell phone while driving, to talk to her
girlfriends. Any consumer that complains about her cell-phone use or
about her nasty comments is asked to get off the bus. Not only is
this a violation and a safety hazard, it is really lousy customer
service. Now, let’s start a debate on that.
Sorry, Cyndi, but I believe that the use of cell phones by bus
drivers in non-emergency situations requires a lot more debate. Cell
phones and driving are privileges, not rights. Safety and customer
service are rights, not privileges.
EDEN ROSEN
Burbank