Landlords pay a price
In response to the letter dated Sept. 27 by Dennis and Nancy Tripp, it sounds as if I am unethical because I expect to earn extra money with my rental.
What are you supposed to do if you own a rental?
Let the renter pay only what it is costing you and if it is paid for, then they can live there free?
I must have been asleep when that part of economics class was held.
I bought the property in anticipation that it would be a hedge for my old age and I would not have to go on welfare if my money ran out.
The rental was to be extra income when I retired and it has come in handy as my pension does not go very far.
I would like to mention that when I did weekly rentals, I was careful of whom I rented and what they did while here.
They also had parking and no loud parties.
Recently, I turned down a potential renter and he retaliated by puncturing my tire and putting something into my bougainvillea that caused all their blossoms to die and I am not sure if the plants will survive.
So you see, landlords pay a price not to rent to the “criminal crowd” different ones speaks of.
Betty Hutchens
Seal Beach
Tight quarters for Navy base barbershop
A recent (Sept.13) letter to editor described the “new” barbershop at the Naval Weapons Station as reminiscent of life aboard ship. I must agree.
Not only is the space allotted probably not consistent with Facilities Command directives but it is as noisy as a pool hall while sharing space with the “speedy mart.”
Forget going to the barbershop and relaxing while waiting for your haircut, and at times the barber must step around the customers.
Some customers find themselves waiting in the speedy mart for lack of space.
I could virtually play racket ball in the cockpit of my 747. In the confined space of the NWS barber shop—maybe knitting, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
J. Robert DeGiorgio
USN (ret)
Long Beach
Sun shines
I am still smiling about today’s Sun (Sept. 27).
Regarding the article about our road trip on page 15, you selected my two favorite pictures.
Coincidentally, the article ran next to an article about Dianne Harman’s book signing.
Dianne is a friend of mine. So, that makes page 15 extra special for me.
Also, I would like to congratulate you on the photo layout on the front page of Space Shuttle Endeavor. Melvin and I were among those 300 excited people waiting for the Endeavor’s flyover.
I, too, have some beautiful photos of the Endeavor but you captured what I wish I could have. That is, the excitement of the crowd.
I had goose bumps when I saw the Endeavor. My last assignment at Boeing was working on Space Station.
Thank you for a wonderful local paper! Keep up the good work!
Nancy Ramos
Seal Beach
Latent powers only enhance Rossmoor board’s powers
Are Rossmoorians worried that the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission will approve the Rossmoor Community Services District desire for “latent powers?”
You betcha!
Rossmoorians recognize the bid for latent police powers by the RCSD as a way of expanding the board’s personal power and is not necessary for the protection of Rossmoor.
In order to go forward with the idea of latent powers the RCSD Board authorized a telephone survey designed to show that the people approved of latent powers.
They spent about $7,000 for this survey.
The result of the survey was inconclusive.
This RCSD board, Colletta, Maynard, Kahlert, Casey and Ripps and the manager, Henry Taboada, spend an inordinate amount of time and public money on subjects that are outside of their jurisdiction.
Remember that they only have jurisdiction over recreation, street lighting, trees and street sweeping.
By asking for various latent powers they hope to expand the RCSD so that Rossmoor could appear to be the city that we voted “no” on a few years ago.
In 1987, Rossmoor could vote on whether they wanted the RCSD to assume new services.
The law today gives the vote to LAFCO that changes in governmental organizations occur in a manner that encourages orderly growth, and safeguards the delivery of efficient and quality services.”
They do not have the authority to initiate any changes, like consolidating with Los Alamitos without a vote of the people.
Let LAFCO know that you want them to vote “no” on latent powers for the RCSD.
The address is LAFCO Hall of Administration Planning 10 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92710.
Write a simple postcard to that address and tell LAFCO that you are against granting latent powers to the Rossmoor Community Services District.
The Orange County Sheriff provides more than adequate law enforcement to Rossmoor.
To give this RSCD Board any thing greater than that which we voted on in 1988 is a recipe for looting.
They have already increased their salaries from $7,000 in 2008 to $11,500 in 2012. What a rip off!
Joyce Bloom
Rossmoor
Property rights
It is a fact, that out of the (approximately) 65 vacation rental homes in old town, less than five have been a problem.
And, yes, problematic vacation homeowners should be dealt with!
But a certain council member doesn’t think it is enough to just deal with the real issues at hand.
They think that taking away another property right is the answer!
Just because a handful of residents oppose vacation rentals, it does not constitute a majority.
The majority have not spoken!
Frank Carvajal
Seal Beach
Imperial Rossmoor
Is there any doubt that the general manager of the Rossmoor Community Services District and friendly board members want to build an empire?
Henry Toboada and friends on the board have been scheming relentlessly to come up with some way to expand the power and jurisdiction of the services district and to enrich the district’s coffers.
This policing scheme fits the bill nicely. It matters not whether we get fine service the way it is.
They want to put into Rossmoor residents’ minds that there is some kind of problem with the police service we’re getting and the service’s board has an answer to fix the problem. Sounds like the federal government, doesn’t it?
This latest attempt to expand the taxing authority and power of the Rossmoor Community Service District for policing services is nothing but a ruse to expand the district’s power.
There is money to be made by taxing Rossmoor residents for police services,and as the middleman who collects the money they can skim off a healthy cut between what they collect and what they spend for the police service.
Don’t be suckered into allowing the RCSD more power over the lives of our residents. The bigger the services district gets, the more of our money will be spent on lavish salaries and benefits, and disappear down the rat hole of bureaucracy shenanigans.
We get terrific police service from the sheriff and great fire and paramedic service from the county. Why should we sucker in to any schemes by Toboada and his plot to get power friends on the RCSD board?
Bruce Smith
Rossmoor
Against signal on Enterprise Drive
I live on Enterprise Drive and, well, it looks as if they think we forgot. Again. Our attention span must be that of a gnat.
Here are two reasons I don’t want a traffic signal at Enterprise.
First, it’s not so much the traffic coming in from Katella that worries me, although it will greatly increase. No one in their right mind would want to sit and wait to turn left on Lexington when they can just do that at Enterprise.
The traffic from within our own tract is a greater worry to me. If this block is a closer exit than the Sibony or Lexington signals, then, yes they will use Enterprise to exit.
As they are backed up, waiting to get out their exhaust fumes sp tjeu can just come in my windows and front door.
Second, I have young children. My family has already buried a beautiful little golden haired 4-year-old named Amanda Crystal Orme—because she darted out in front of a fast moving motor vehicle. That’s what 4-year-olds do. Like they’re spring loaded, they dart.
She lived on Bunker Hill, but spent a lot of time here on Enterprise with her cousins. When a stressed-out driver sees that green light at the end of their tunnel vision what do they do? They hit the gas to try and make that signal in hopes that they don’t have to sit there and wait. That’s the moment the “darting” kids come in—as soon as they hit the accelerator.
There are a lot of children on Enterprise. A while ago, in this same newspaper, I accused the city of Cypress of trying to murder the children of Carrier Row as they cross Katella for all three schools. That was over a Costco and a church. OK, I admit that it may have been a bit harsh. However, having to return to the same issue over and over shows that Cypress could care less about the children here. Well, at least not the ones that are alive. There is a cemetery over there where they welcome the dead ones with open arms. That is the point at which Cypress cares. When it comes to our families and especially our children, WE DO NOT FORGET. Maybe I have it backwards. Could it be the city of Cypress forgot? No traffic signal at Enterprise Drive—please.
Serena Howard
Los Alamitos
Fear won’t stop Alzheimer’s
September was World Alzheimer’s Month. It was an opportunity to raise awareness, educate, and reduce fear. Everyone thinks they know what Alzheimer’s is but there is actually confusion about this disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website (www.alz.org) Alzheimer’s is a disease that attacks the brain and is the most common form of dementia. It causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms.
When they think about Alzheimer’s, people often picture someone who is much older than they are, who can no longer take care of themselves and does not remember anyone.
People are so afraid of hearing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s that they will avoid going to the doctor, choosing to be ignorant of their health situation rather than getting help. In this case, ignorance is not bliss.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are things that can be done to slow the progression. The progress will be slowed at the point where you start taking medications and doing things to help your brain so the sooner a diagnosis is received, and action taken, the better.
Fear is the enemy of your health. I recently met a man who is convinced he has Alzheimer’s without ever seeing a doctor. He is afraid to go to the doctor but has planned how to end his life so he won’t suffer the way his parents did due to Alzheimer’s.
Every day this man lives thinking he has Alzheimer’s and is terrified of what the future holds for him and his family. My husband and I encouraged him to see a doctor now.
Wouldn’t it be better to do all you can to stop this beast and live your life to the fullest rather than dreading the future?
Educate yourself. Learn the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s. If you think you have a memory problem, get checked. If you know someone with Alzheimer’s, ask their family if they need help. There is no better gift you can give yourself and your family.
For more information, please visit www.alz.org or call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900.
Gincy Heins
Cypress
Poll results: Should there be a parking structure built in Old Town Seal Beach?
Yes—43.8 percent
No—56.3 percent
The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the Sun. The Sun welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 300 words maximum. Letters should be e-mailed, signed by the author and include the author’s address and phone number (the latter two are for verification, not publication). The Sun reserves the right to accept, edit, or reject letters for any reason. Unless otherwise indicated, all letters sent to the Sun are understood to be intended for publication. E-mail letters to: dennis@sunnews.org.
