Mailbag: Businesses should be grateful for boost
Your May 31 article “Wedding in the park” carried the sub-heading “Vows are exchanged in Montrose hub, upsetting some businesses.” It should have read “Couple tries to help Montrose businesses, gets kicked in the teeth for their efforts.”
This young couple wanted to celebrate their love, and in doing so wanted to support the businesses that have made Montrose the gem it is today. They gave $20,000 to the local economy, and some of the businesses had the audacity to complain? Shame on them for their shortsightedness, and for not displaying the warm sense of community that people have come to love about Montrose.
Montrose has become much more to the Crescenta Valley than just a retail area. It’s become a community center, hosting such events as the Arts and Craft Festival, Oktoberfest and the weekly Harvest Market. These events all close Honolulu, as this wedding did, and just like the wedding, they all bring business to the shopping park as a whole.
To the bride and groom, I wish you well. You are a beautiful couple, and you have the values that we need in our community. I thank you for supporting all those mom-and-pop stores that I love so dearly.
Sadly, I feel I need to apologize for the naysayer businesses and for the News-Press’ unwarranted focus on the negative aspects of what you meant to be a positive message: Celebrate Montrose by supporting Montrose business.
MIKE LAWLER
La Crescenta
Editor’s note: Lawler is a columnist for the Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Scouts grateful for fundraising help
Boy Scout Troop 139 would like to express our gratitude to all those in our community who helped make our second annual Tip A Scout a success.
Damon’s and its wonderful staff hosted the event and patiently worked with our boys, teaching them the ropes of the restaurant business. Thank you!
The Glendale News-Press included a publicity notice and then even sent Ruth Sowby to write up our story, including two fabulous pictures. Thank you!
Family, friends, Boy Scout officials, teachers (a special shout out to Hoover High’s Charles Brogdon and Captain Wray) and Damon’s customers left generous donations. Thank you!
KATHLEEN YEPEZ
Glendale
Teachers should protest at union leader’s house
I would like to know when the majority of the teachers are going to have a candlelight vigil at Tami Carlson’s house?
She may be the president of the Glendale Teachers Assn., but she does not represent the majority of teachers. To march in front of school board President Greg Krikorian’s house was so wrong! Why not march in front of a teacher, principal, administrator, mayor, congressman or senator’s house if you don’t like their decisions?
The leadership of the Glendale Teachers Assn. has gone to the bargaining table many times this year, but doesn’t seem to meet the school board, even halfway, on issues. This vigil should show parents of students that the union doesn’t speak for the majority of its members.
JON BALES
Glendale
Federation backing Ramani in election
In just a few short days, Californians will go to the ballot and cast their votes for some key races across the state, including governor and other constitutional officers. But one of the most critical races will be held for the 43rd Assembly District — and the only candidate in the race who will truly fight for small business and jobs is Sunder Ramani.
The National Federation of Independent Business California SAFE Trust, the state political action committee of the federation, has proudly endorsed Ramani for Assembly because we know that he is the only candidate who has been a small-business owner, and our only hope for getting this community and California back on the road to recovery. Ramani is the only candidate who truly knows what it’s like to sign the front side of a check, and what it takes to protect and promote Main Street and create jobs.
Others may “talk the talk,” but Ramani actually has the proven track record as a small-business owner, job creator and leader promoting his community’s economic growth.
Ramani is the epitome of the California and American Dream. He started a small business decades ago with the flicker of an idea that has blossomed into a successful Main Street business that supports his family, fellow residents and surrounding community.
Ramani has dealt firsthand with the responsibilities and challenges of creating jobs, managing employees, meeting payroll and dealing with government taxes, mandates and over-regulation.
In his role as a small businessman, Sunder has helped scores of residents and businesses in the Glendale, Burbank and surrounding area navigate the complexities and challenges of government regulations and bureaucracy.
Ramani is a proven small-business leader who cares about creating meaningful policy that will help his community and California. He is an active leader on the Glendale and Burbank chambers of commerce, working with local businesses to create jobs and ensure their success.
Ramani is the only candidate who has demonstrated that a thriving California begins with a thriving small business and jobs climate — lower taxes, fewer mandates, less regulation, and incentives and flexibility in a free market that will help small business and employees to succeed.
Ramani is the only candidate who has proven that he knows and believes in entrepreneurism and free enterprise for his community and the Golden State.
Members of National Federation of Independent Business know how critically important it is, especially today, for our elected officials to understand the concerns of small business. These days, it seems those leaders are few and far between.
California is in a financial crisis because of politicians who have chosen to protect their own interests over those of their constituents. Our only way out is to elect leaders who have both the track record as small-business owners and job creators and have proven that they genuinely care about their community’s future economic growth.
On June 8, remember to vote for the only candidate for Assembly who knows, understands and will support and protect small business and jobs: Sunder Ramani.
JOHN KABATECK
Sacramento
Editor’s note: Kabateck is the executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business California.