MAILBAG: Licenses should be harder to get
People driving their cars into storefronts, it is not the first time something like this happened in Glendale (“SUV barrels through bakery,” Sept. 23). Unfortunately, it has happened many times before.
It is obvious that the driver pushed the wrong pedal, which means this driver doesn’t have enough driving skills — a common thing in Glendale. This city has been accepting many kinds of people from other countries, such as Iran, Armenia and Iraq. These countries have very different driving rules, and that’s why we have driving problems.
Glendale’s Police Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles should find some way to reduce these problems.
Perhaps be more stringent about approving driver’s licenses. They can also make the driving test harder.
ARBI ZAGHIAN MASIHI
Glendale
It’s not just teens who are the danger
Regarding the story in your paper Sept. 23 titled “SUV barrels through bakery,” as a resident of Glendale, I would like to mention that teenagers are not the only troublemakers!
The car accident at the Movses Golden Pastry shop shows that older people may be just as careless as teenagers while they are driving.
I saw in a video of this pastry accident on YouTube that the driver was a middle-aged woman.
When these accidents happen, they cost much to repair the damage (especially a second time).
I am very happy that nobody was injured. I hope that people will be more careful while they are driving, no matter their age.
ARINEH KESHISHIAN
Glendale
Budgeting is a proactive measure
I get the feeling that Tami Carlson, representing the teachers in the Glendale Unified School District as president of their union, is disappointed in the fact that the district isn’t in dire financial shape.
It’s called budgeting. If you anticipate a funding shortage and plan for that ahead of the game, it’s being proactive. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Sure, the district made some cuts, not to teachers, no one got the dreaded pink slip like they did in other districts.
I did a little research and discovered that the teachers in Glendale earn on average $70,000 a year, work 186 days out of the year, and do not pay for any of their medical, dental or vision insurance. Yep, nothing comes out of the teacher’s pocket.
If a pipe is leaking, you fix it. You can turn off the water or cap the part that leaks.
Every pipe in the city is leaking right now. If capping your benefits is the result, it beats being laid off. It’s not really a hard choice.
EILEEN YOUNG
Glendale
Assn. was first to represent business
I founded the Montrose/Verdugo City/Sparr Heights Residents and Homeowners Assn. in April of 1997 to fight the threat of the Oakmont View V development and to preserve the quality of life of our neighborhoods.
Being a renter at the time and knowing how committed I was to protecting the quality of life of our neighborhoods, I founded the group to include both renters and homeowners to be inclusive of everyone living in our area who was committed to our cause.
We have also always welcomed businesses in our area. And we have associate members who live outside our area, but who are interested in being a part of our association.
When our association name became a bit cumbersome, we changed it unofficially to the Montrose/Verdugo City/Sparr Heights Neighborhood Assn. After 12-plus years, we still welcome renters, homeowners and businesses.
So, while we applaud the Adams Hill Neighborhood Assn. for changing their mission to include renters and businesses (“Group widens reach,” Sept. 25.), we cannot give them credit for being the first!
ANDREA HUMBERGER
Glendale
EDITOR’S NOTE: Humberger is founding president and current board member of the Montrose/Verdugo City/Sparr Heights Neighborhood Assn.
Different ways to conserve water
There are six candidates running for three available seats for the Crescenta Valley Water District Board of Directors. Many suggest alternatives to conserving water to prevent any shortages or droughts. Others, however, have a different perspective as they plan to raise prices.
Incumbent Charles Beatty believes that recycling water is not as important, while challenger Kerry Erickson argued at a recent forum that more water recycling was needed in order to conserve the unused water (“Water-use gripes flow at forum,” Sept. 24).
Also, to raise the water prices on Glendale residents is simply ridiculous. All citizens, including good Samaritans in the area, will be punished. As Crescenta Valley Town Council President Steve Pierce stated, “Why should individuals who are conserving water be punished?”
Although some may believe that raising water prices will directly influence the conservation of water, many individuals feel indifferent with the price change. For example, Mike Meyers, a resident who spoke at the forum, said water is an essential key in maintaining farmland and keeping their lifestyle stable.
Furthermore, I strongly agree with Erickson in accordance with recycling water. Although it will take energy and time, the task will save vital and limited rainwater.
JOHNNY GOUKASSIAN
Glendale
Schools do good job fighting drug use
I would like to commend the enforcement efforts by local school principals and officials to keep students away from drugs.
It is very beneficial to the community that the public schools do all that they can do to keep the school campuses drug-free.
By trying to keep drugs out of our schools, campuses will also profit in respect to eliminating violence and other negative impacts that come as a result of drug use.
PAUL KARMIRYAN
Glendale