MAILBAG - Sept. 18, 2008

Lay off legislating people’s lifestyles

Regarding “Smoking kills smokers, nonsmokers,” Mailbag, Sept. 13: Let me get this straight, the barber of Robert Phipps, who doesn’t even live in Glendale, has a friend who had a heart attack at 57 and was a smoker, and an entire community should ban smoking? What is it with these people who feel they need to legislate lifestyle and to top it off, in a city in which they don’t even live?

Since smoking indoors is already illegal in public places he must be referring to the outdoor ban that the Glendale City Council is considering. Maybe Phipps should consider an all-out ban on alcohol as well since there are as many alcohol-related deaths as there are tobacco — or maybe Phipps likes to drink a little.

While we’re at it we might want to consider new legislation to replace all of the fast food restaurants with salad bars. Get real.

I quit smoking last year. Does that mean that everyone else should? There is no study that states that outdoor tobacco smoke is any more harmful than the air we already breathe, so why do all of these other people find it necessary to impose their lifestyles on everyone else?

MARK WOLCOFF

Glendale

Classes at Glenoaks are too big for kids

I hope there is not a fire at Glenoaks Elementary School. I really do. I’m not just disgruntled because of the class sizes. I’m not just upset because of the quality of learning the children will have is declined. But I am seriously worried about a fire.

My son is in sixth grade at Glenoaks. He is my third child at the school. There have always been three sixth-grade classes.

One year I believe there was a 5/6 split. That’s OK, as long as the kids get enough quality teaching. I was one of the moms who never minded the overflow into a third half-class.

But this year, on the first day of school, I stood around with other parents and we all looked at each other with our mouths open. I mean it was that ridiculous.

The children stood in what seemed to be an endless line and the teachers came out to greet us. It wasn’t a nice time.

The parents were furious. A few kids were transferred to John Marshall Elementary School, making their commute harder, some to Woodrow Wilson Middle School, which they are not ready for.

The rest of us were herded into two classes with 38 to 40 students in each class.

Seriously, it is a major fire hazard. If those children have to leave in a hurry, some will not make it.

These are children, people. They would be scared, running to get out, teachers physically unable to tend to the greater numbers, let alone help any left behind or worse, hurt!

Is the budget worth that? My kid’s life? Or yours?

Get another teacher over there. Now. Before we lose one of our precious children.

TRACY MORRISSEY

Glendale

YWCA not having financial troubles

As members of the board of directors of the YWCA of Glendale, we believe it is important to correct some misimpressions left by the article that appeared in the Glendale News-Press on Sept. 8 (“Shelter still in need of service”).

The article creates the impression that the YWCA of Glendale is experiencing financial difficulties. Such is not the case.

The financial strength of the organization continues to improve and is solid.

In a time of significant government cuts and an increased reliance on private funding (through grants and contributions), it is the obligation of the board to carefully consider all aspects of the budget.

As the article correctly states, running the described shelter required a significant infusion of cash every year as the available government grants did not cover the full costs.

After careful consideration, the board decided to terminate this program and use the money saved to strengthen our other programs. The board also concluded that cutting staff and rearranging duties was necessary.

The staff members in the domestic violence programs who are picking up the duties previously performed by Dr. Kathy Mathis are excellent, and the board has full confidence in their abilities to run our programs successfully.

The article contains allegations by a former employee of an abusive work environment and specifically targeting Executive Director Richard Burrell.

Upon receipt of anonymous letters making similar allegations, the board hired an independent outside expert to thoroughly investigate the situation.

The outside expert concluded that there was not an abusive work environment.

Due to considerations of privacy of personnel matters, the board cannot respond in any more detail.

CAROL ANN BURTON

Glendale

 EDITOR’S NOTE: Burton is the Glendale YWCA board president