Ask questions before writing that check

I thank the Glendale News-Press for the coverage on New Horizons, as in the Oct. 29 article, “New Horizon’s troubles bared.” The taxpayers and generous people who donate money and volunteer time to New Horizons deserve to know what happened. I expect it will become clearer with follow-up investigations from the News-Press.

My concern is that many people will feel “burned” and not be willing to donate or volunteer for the many other organizations that serve the children of the Glendale area. I would refer them to the Oct. 30 News-Press editorial, “Where were the New Horizons questions?” It asks, “How were all the signs missed?”

We need to look beyond the headlines and take responsibility for asking questions and seeking information. There is public information on all nonprofits available. We should all investigate before donating our hard earned money.

As a member of the Glendale Healthy Kids Board of Directors, we strive to provide consistent answers to the “hard” questions. Glendale Healthy Kids holds open board meetings, the 23 board members sign conflict-of-interest statements annually, and the board member list is published in our newsletters and posted on our website. We have monthly accounting statementsreviewed annually by an independent auditor.

As a lifelong Glendalian and local business owner, I chose to serve on the Glendale Healthy Kids Board of Directors specifically because they do not accept government money. We serve the health-care needs of children who are uninsured or do not qualify for Medi-Cal. The children’s families fill out simple forms and Glendale Healthy Kids recruits local doctors to provide services for free or discounted rates.

Glendale Healthy Kids pays for tests such as X-rays, glasses and follow-up prescriptions. Our goal is to keep children out of the local emergency rooms and back into the classroom as soon as possible.

Our children are the greatest asset, and sometimes the most vulnerable, in a community. With so many charities competing for our donations, please be smart and ask questions before you get out your checkbook.

Joy B. Lang

Glendale

Bad manners in our own backyard

In my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined that I would “get the finger” in La Cañada from what some would consider an attractive 40-something woman in a new-model SUV (or from anyone, for that matter).

My family has lived in the area for 40 years and I still cannot believe that I experienced such rude behavior in my very own neighborhood from one of my “neighbors.” I was driving south toward Foothill Boulevard on Sunday afternoon, apparently too slowly for this woman, but at the speed limit.

She was tailgating me, so I pulled to the curb as she sped by impatiently and sounded her horn. She was stopped at the red light on Foothill Boulevard and I pulled alongside her to make a right turn. I looked to see who she was and that is when she gave me “the sign.”

I was more shocked than I can say and feel I need to write this letter to say “I hope your children never see you act like this. Shame on you.”

Eva Mosley

La Cañada Flintridge