6
OPINION
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2008 THE PENINSULA BEACON
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Poor (nay, pitiful) choice of editorial headline
am a frequent patron of both the Ocean Beach and Clairemont branches, both of which are targeted for closure. On Nov. 6, The San Diego Don’t do this! Downtown News (along with sisIn this time of “No Child Left ter publication the Peninsula BeaBehind” it is unbelievable that con) printed an editorial I authored entitled “Barack Obama Mayor Jerry Sanders would even consider hindering access to a needs to shut his mouth.” The piece was meant as a cau- primary source of learning. Perhaps he has listened to people tionary look at the two-headed who say libraries are out of date nature of this country’s economy and no one uses them anymore. and how I believe the presidentUntrue! elect (for whom I voted) someEvery day you can see people times tends to blur the distinclined up waiting for the library to tion. open. Mayor Sanders may feel While I think the article that people have all the knowlexpressed that sentiment fairly edge they can use available via well, the headline is obviously another matter. Many of you took computers. Well, guess what, even if this were true, not everyvehement exception to what you one can afford a computer. In see as its incendiary tone – and these tough economic times, that my own hindsight persuades me that your feelings are entirely jus- is not a purchase that many people can afford. tified. Many people depend on their The piece was not reviewed by the publishers, David Mannis and local library as their only source for Internet access. Visit a library Julie Mannis Hoisington; in fact, and see how many people sign up both parties have kindly spoken to me at some length on this mat- every day to use the computers. Senior citizens also depend on ter, assuring me that they would their neighborhood libraries. have immediately scrapped the Many of them can no longer headline had they seen it in the drive. They are able to walk to proof process last week. their branches, but would not be As it was, a fellow Mannis able to get to a branch in another Communications editor did take neighborhood. They depend on notice and lightly mentioned his surprise to me; for whatever rea- libraries even as a means to read newspapers and magazines. sons, I didn’t take his query to Libraries provide so many serheart. That bit of neglect, I now vices to the community. Story see, has compounded the probhours and summer reading prolem generated by my original grams for children are a wonturn of phrase. I extend my hearty congratula- derful introduction to the world of books and a love of reading tions to Senator Obama and his supporters on his victory, just as I that will last a lifetime. The Ocean Beach Library has did in my editorial — if he proves served the community for 80 as capable a leader as he did a years and the Clairemont campaigner, this country stands Branch for 50 years. Do you to benefit in perhaps wholesale really want to be the ones to respects for the next four years close them down? (especially since his fellow Please, don’t do this. Democrats now hold sizeable Surely there is another way to advantages in both Houses). cut expenses. I am not in favor As I said, I voted for him too, and I believe I did so for the right of any more cuts in library hours, as it is already tough for reasons. The headline, however, was and is a gross overstatement those of us who are employed to work around the reduced of my caution about his own hours. However, as a last choice of words on the state of resort, might you consider closthe economy. I eagerly offer my ing each library one day a apologies to the president-elect, week? At least this would not to the Mannis Communications take them away completely and staff and management and, of would still result in a considercourse, to the Community Newspaper Group readership for the ill able savings. At my last visit to the library feeling that a little reflection the librarian said it was time to could have easily avoided. update my information. When Martin Jones Westlin, editor she had finished, she said, “That San Diego Downtown News will be good for two years.” I said, “If we have any libraries left by then.” Decries possible closure Please don’t make that dire of Ocean Beach Library prediction come true. Libraries change lives! Thank you for Dear Council Members your help. Kevin Faulconer and Donna Frye: Alexandra F. Cresci I and all of my friends are very Point Loma upset at the proposal to close some of our library branches. I
THE PENINSULA
BEACON Mannis Communications 4645 Cass St. Box 9550 San Diego, CA 92169 Fax: (858) 270-9325 Ad Fax: (858) 713-0095
THE Pbeacon@sdnews.com ENINSULA
BEACON (858) 270-3103
Mannis Communications 4645 Cass St. Box 9550 San Diego, CA 92169 Fax: (858) 270-9325 Ad Fax: (858) 713-0095
sdnews.com beacon@sdnews.com (858) 270-3103
Pending cuts should spare OB Library Your beautiful photos of the 80th anniversary of the Ocean Beach Library (“OB Library’s 80th birthday bash a smash,” Oct. 23 Beacon, page 1) may be the obituary. The library is slated for closure by the mayor. The time frame is short, as his plan is to approve the new budget before the recently elected City Council takes office. Please let the mayor and our council member (District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer) know if you support keeping this library and other community resources: jerrysanders@sandiego.gov and kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov. A community response is the only thing that will save this library and other community resources on the list. We know that economies are required. Alternatives have been proposed — shorter hours, fewer jobs downtown, but these alternatives are not under consideration. Beacon readers, please show your support for all community resources by letting your elected officials know.
swimmers and surfers. All of these ocean users experience the greasy residual effect of being in the ever-murky ocean and, unfortunately, the frequent malodorous effect as well. I was shocked this year in my first trip to the Caribbean, primarily in an island of Belize, that the natural ocean is not malodorous, greasy or murky. I would like to see scientifically established the cause of our local ocean’s pervasive pollution. I strongly suspect that the cause is the daily discharge by Barbara Houlton the city of 100 to 300 million galOcean Beach lons of effluent into ocean; certainly, the ocean is not prejudiced against San Diego. But, given the Agrees with guest view disingenuous testimony of Scripps “scientists” hired by the city to on wastewater plant fight against upgrading the Point I read with interest and support Loma sewage conveyance plant and echo the views of Jim Gilhooly, — like Roger Revelle, who said “Sewage is good for the ocean” — in the guest editorial “Assessing we may be awaiting the truth a the state of the wastewater facililong time. ty” (Nov. 6 Beacon, page 6). I wish to comment on the Robert Burns decrepit quality of the local ocean Ocean Beach waters in areas used by bathers,
PUBLISHERS
OPERATIONS MGR.
Mannis Communications David Mannis (858) 270-3103 x105 dmannis@sdnews.com Julie Mannis Hoisington (858) 270-3103 x106 jmannis@sdnews.com
Julie Mannis Hoisington x106 Casey Dean x107 julie@sdnews.com casey@sdnews.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF PUBLISHERS
Anne Terhune x133 Mannis Communications mail@sdnews.com David Mannis EDITOR (858) 270-3103 x105 Kevin McKay x131 dmannis@sdnews.com beacon@sdnews.com Julie Mannis Hoisington (858) 270-3103 x106 REPORTER jmannis@sdnews.com Sebastian Ruiz x135 sebastian@sdnews.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Anne Terhune x133 ACCOUNTING mail@sdnews.com Heather Glynn x103 Patty Angley x120 EDITOR Kevin McKay Accounts Receivable x131 beacon@sdnews.com
REPORTER
PRODUCTION MGR.
AD CONSULTANTS
PRODUCTION
Mike Fahey x117 Jason Gregory x116 Marjorie Kirby x122 Michael Long x112 Ashlee Manzo x123 OPERATIONS Laura North x136MGR. Julie Mannis Hoisington Michael Padden x146 x106 julie@sdnews.com Heather Snyder x115 AD CONSULTANTS Innesa Zavulunova x147 Mike Fahey x117 MGR. CLASSIFIEDS Jason Gregory Heather Snyderx116 x115 Marjorie Kirby x122 heather@sdnews.com Michael Long x112 CLASSIFIEDS Ashlee Manzo x123 Kristin Silvestri x144 Laura North x136 kristin@sdnews.com Michael Padden x146 Kim Donaldson Heather Snyder x118 x115 kim@sdnews.com Innesa Zavulunova x147
Dee Kahler, David Ramsey, Chris Baker
CLASSIFIEDS MGR. Heather Snyder x115 h th @ d
PHOTOGRAPHERS Mercy Arcolas, Don Balch, Maria Epsten, PaulMGR. Gallegos, PRODUCTION Ronan Gray, Rob Casey Dean x107Hammer, Paul Hansen, Paul Parks, casey@sdnews.com Barry Schwartz, Tom Walko, PRODUCTION Kirby Yau Dee Kahler, David Ramsey, Chris Baker
PHOTOGRAPHERS Mercy Arcolas, Don Balch, Maria Epsten, Paul Gallegos, Ronan Gray, Rob Hammer, Paul Hansen, Paul Parks, Barry Schwartz, Tom Walko, Kirby Yau
CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie A. Alderette, Keith Antigiovanni, Don Balch, Charlene Baldridge, Trish Clenney Brown, Corrinne Gray-Staples, Nicole Larson, Bart Mendoza, Katrin Merkel, Theresa Miracle, Loralee Olejnik, Neal Putman, Barry CONTRIBUTORS Schwartz, Kate Searcy, A. Alderette,Laurie Keith Stephanie Shenkman, Antigiovanni, Don Balch, Smith, Dave Thomas, CharleneTyler, Baldridge, Trish Heather Michelle ClenneyMartin Brown,Jones Corrinne Valenti, Westlin Gray-Staples, Nicole Larson, Bart Mendoza, Katrin Merkel, Theresa Miracle, Loralee Olejnik, Neal Putman, Barry Schwartz, Kate Searcy, Stephanie Shenkman, Laurie Smith, Dave Thomas, Heather Tyler, Michelle Valenti, Martin Jones Westlin
YOUR VIEWS POLICY
The opinion pages of The Beacon are meant as an open forum for expression. The views expressed in the Letters to the Editor and editorials within this paper are not necessarily the views of this paper, nor those of the staff. The Beacon reserves the right to exclude any Letter to the Editor, or to edit Letters to the Editor for length and prevention of libel, or for other reasons as seen fit by the editors.
TO SUBMIT
Please send to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 9550, San Diego, Calif. 92169, or beacon@sdnews.com.
OPINIONS Signed letters to the editor are encouraged. All letters must include a phone number for verification. The editor may edit letters for clarity and accuracy. Letters should be 350 words or less. Views expressed are not necessarily the views of this newspaper or staff. SUBMISSIONS Letters and photo submissions are welcomed. Those accompanied by an OPINIONS Signed letters to the editor are addressed, stamped envelope will be returned. encouraged. All letters must include a phone The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity. number for verification. The editor may edit letters for clarity and accuracy. Letters be 350 DEADLINES All content must should be received by words or less. Views expressed are not necessarily 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to publication. the views of this newspaper or staff. DISTRIBUTION The Peninsula Beacon is SUBMISSIONS and photo submissions available free everyLetters Thursday. are welcomed. Those accompanied by an COPYRIGHT © 2008. All rights are reserved. addressed, stamped envelope will be returned. Printed in the United States of America The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity. PRINTED with soy inks and recycled paper. DEADLINES All content must be received by Please recycle.. 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to publication. DISTRIBUTION The Peninsula Beacon is