MAILBAG - April 12, 2008

City should not drop appeal of court ruling

In regard to the anti-solicitation ordinance regarding day laborers (“City in talks to resolve ordinance on day laborers,” April 1): The city should not drop the appeal.

The city should negotiate with immigrant advocacy groups. These groups, in my opinion, are not negotiating for legal immigrants but for illegal immigrants.

These groups that are soliciting for work while on the curb — this has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

These day laborers are a blight on our streets and create many problems.

Safety for motorists and pedestrians are at risk. They loiter, litter, urinate and call out to you and make hand signs as you enter the Home Depot parking lot.

It is very unpleasant and you don’t feel safe. Who needs this?

The cheapskates who come and hire them for slave wages only exacerbate the problem. These people should be given tickets. Stop encouraging this activity. The temporary work center, which our city supports with $90,000 of our tax money each year, is not working. Here we go through all this expense, and these laborers could apparently care less.

I suggest that Catholic Charities guide these people morning, noon and night to this center daily until they learn this center is for them and not the curb. This would eliminate all this mess around Home Depot. If Catholic Charities does not agree to this, we should stop funding it federally and not even consider using money from the general fund.

The day laborers must be told to cooperate, and it is up to Catholic Charities to see it, since we the taxpayers have put $90,000 for their benefit.

I really sympathize with the neighborhood that has to put up with this illegal activity all in the name of political correctness. Perhaps the mayor; City Council; U.S. District Court Judge James Otero; and Moeed Kahn, director of Catholic Charities, should move into the neighborhood and really see what U.S. citizens and the police have to put up with.

I am sure that they would see to this not happening in their neighborhood.

BETTY MCBRYDE

Glendale

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Condo living is what it ‘cracks’ up to be

I don’t know what is worse: living in a condo or just living in Glendale. My wife is into her seventh year of condo ownership, and it’s sad how she has been treated. Every time it rains, water comes in from cracks in the outside staircase and right into the bedroom.

The first year they replaced the carpets, the next year they used fans to dry out the carpets. From the third year to the present time, all they do is just go “Mmmmmmm.”

The wooden floors are now warped, mold is working its way into the unit, and she can’t sell because of the damage to the unit.

Of course, the association dues are still due each month or the homeowners association (condo board) can foreclose on the property. Sometimes it seems that this is the homeowners association’s real goal — to just foreclose on the property instead of fixing the problem.

In the past, I have turned to the city of Glendale’s Neighborhood Services code compliance section for help with this matter. An inspector came out and took pictures of the area and later cited the condo complex for the code violation.

Over the years he continues to come out and take more pictures, but still the problem continues. It appears to now be in the hands of the City Attorney’s Office, and the years still just go by. So here’s a bit of advice from me; stay away from condos.

GREG HAFF

Hollywood

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‘Smoking shacks’ are solution that can work

With smoking being an issue again in Glendale, I’d like to offer a solution (“Council appears ready to snuff smoking,” March 27): The state of California could use “smoking shacks,” which provide shelter, but no food or drinks are served. This is a structure built and paid for by a bar or business and located outside the establishment.

The legislation is now being proposed by the state of Minnesota, which passed in a recent House session 73-69.

A lot of bars and restaurants went out of business, since a no-smoking ban was passed a year ago. This new law will save businesses, increase the tax base and provide comfort for nonsmokers.

Prohibition of liquor never worked, and smoking bans won’t either. The use of smoking shacks should satisfy the smokers and nonsmokers.

Also, it’ll protect the rights of all parties.

CLARENCE HONKALA

Glendale

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Exhibit tells detailed story about pandemic

Glendale News-Press columnist Katherine Yamada’s column about the Spanish flu of 1918 and 1919 makes for fascinating reading (“Spanish flu loomed over Glendale,” Verdugo Views, April 11).

The Glendale Historical Society has a special exhibit on this subject in place during the months of April and May.

The Doctors’ House Museum in Brand Park has its own tragic story to tell about the worst pandemic in human history.

Tours take place every Sunday (except Mother’s Day) from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation to the museum is appreciated.

ISABELLE MEYER

Glendale