Verdugo Hills land worth fighting for

Clearly this is best described as the hottest ticket item in the foothills since the toe-to-toe with the mega corporate giant Home Depot.

The community came out on a rainy night, numbering more than 100, and despite many previous heated meetings on the same issue, maintained a very composed and respectful posture. Still, there can be no mistaking the message that rang loud and clear, from both sides (“Two sides mull golf course,” Oct. 23).

The Verdugo Hills Golf Course remains one of the only places, for many decades, that our youth can learn to play golf. The establishment of this property as a family recreation center, possible tennis courts, hiking trails, biking trails, perhaps even a playing field for soccer and a clubhouse for senior events would be used with vigor by nearby Glendale, La Crescenta, Sylmar, Sun Valley, La Tuna Canyon, Lake View Terrace and of course Sunland Tujunga. The importance and value of making that a reality for our future generations must not be underestimated.

Look where we live — arguably one of the largest metropolises in the country. What are we doing as a society when we give our youth absolutely no retreat, on top of a questionable education? What kind of message does that send to them?

Wonder why L.A. churns out a record number of dropouts and our youth detention is high? While the developer cries foul, stating that the course has not turned a profit, local golfers cry even louder that they’ve not been able to buy a beer, a long standing golfing tradition, for some time. And prior to that, the owner had apparently “let it go,” taking absolutely no care or effort to try to turn a profit.

It is not in his best interest to do so and he doesn’t. His goal is strictly entitlements to make the value soar. If he accomplishes that, it will be impossible for community activists to secure the funding needed to purchase.

Rest assured that while anyone in the community spends time “talking to the developer,” be sure to keep eyes wide open what’s going on while talking. This is not the first time this community has danced with the big boys and it is not a new tact either.

While making friends and debating other possible solutions, one and all are too busy to notice that the green light is given for, guess what, the 229 homes asked for in the application. While I, as a local mom, really appreciate the candor and amicable attitude of the new owner, I plead with the community to not be fooled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Tiger Woods, where are you?

Tomi Lyn Bowling

Sunland

Editor’s note: Bowling is the Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council first vice president for community improvement, and is the chairwoman for the council’s Land Use Committee.

Pot prohibition doesn’t work

U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder’s threat to sue the state of California upon the passage of Proposition 19, which would legalize marijuana, is a flagrant attempt by insiders to keep their drug money kickbacks coming.

Prohibition never works. This was clearly proven in the attempt to prohibit alcohol use in the ‘20s. The only beneficiaries of such futile attempts to control substance abuse are the drug smugglers and their political and bureaucratic connections.

Vote yes on Proposition 19, and after its passage, we will take on Holder and his cronies with reference to their lack of understanding of states’ rights.

Bob New

Glendale