Mailbag: Candidates deserving of honors

Congratulations to the Glendale News-Press for your excellent article on the two local citizens currently being considered for the Citizens Redistricting Commission (“Two locals still in the hunt for seats,” Sept. 10). It was balanced and accurate and gave readers a good view of why this selection process is so vital.

Outstanding people from all over California have applied. We only need to look at our local candidates, Martha Jimenez and LaDrena Dansby, to see that. This commission will bring together a group of Californians with diverse skills, backgrounds and viewpoints who owe nothing to the politicians and who will be able to fairly redraw the legislative district lines for California.

However, this reform, which has not yet been allowed to work, is already under attack by cynical politicians. There is a measure on the November ballot, Proposition 27, which would completely eliminate the independent commission and put redistricting back into the hands of the legislature. It will be the same old story of back room deals to favor one party or protect incumbents, whatever party they belong to.

Neighborhoods and communities will once again be cut up to ensure that elected officials’ jobs are protected. The League of Women Voters urges citizens to reject this outrageous attempt to overturn this important reform Californians voted for just two years ago.

Give the commission a chance to do the job; creating fair districts that give voters a chance to choose elected representatives who represent their interests and who will be accountable to the people who elected them. Vote no on Proposition 27.

Chris Carson

Burbank

Editor’s note: Carson is the redistricting program director for League of Women Voters of California.

Check out North Glendale streets for yourself

With all due respect to Carole Weling regarding her latest Mailbag letter on Sept. 10, “Too much whine comes from the South,” I believe her complaint about the condition of North Brand Boulevard is baseless.

As a South Glendale resident, I took a stroll on North Brand from Glenoaks to Mountain Street to see for myself and saw well-maintained properties, including two beautiful churches, a library and fire station and quaint restaurants. The older apartment buildings were examples of some great architectural design with well maintained lawns.

I saw no dumped furniture, graffiti, weeds or vacant lots. Seriously, how can she compare this stretch of North Brand with, say, South Glendale Avenue?

If she has issues that need to be addressed, I would ask her to be a bit more specific. What properties are she talking about? Her claim about the area in question being a “wasteland of asphalt, dirt, weeds and trash” and “an abandoned industrial site” does not jive with what I saw.

I encourage all residents in Glendale to take a look for themselves, or even use Google and take a cyber tour. After your tour of North Brand, take a tour of South Glendale Avenue. Then ask yourselves which street you would rather live by.

Becker Danson

Glendale

Pet owners should show more consideration

I love animals, but have opted not to have as I live in apartment. We have people here in La Crescenta on Honolulu Avenue who walk their dogs (some as many as four to six) and never pick up after them. They leave their business on walkways, driveways and where the children play.

I have kindly ask the two young ladies a few houses down to please clean up after their dogs and they laugh right in my face. I have hesitated to speak to the parents, as with the girls so rude, I am afraid the parents will be also. At night coming home, I can’t always see what’s on walkways and have stepped in some messes.

Maybe reading this, people with dogs who are doing the above will show more consideration and respect for their neighbors.

Martha Ballardo

La Crescenta