Toxic lawns
I am writing in response to Vicki Burdman’s letter regarding toxic care at Leisure World. Civil code requires a 48 hour notice before using toxic products. Notices are only posted in the laundry rooms of the Mutual that is currently spraying. So when I am out for a walk I have no clue who is spraying their lawns because all mutual’s look alike and all blend together. Residents and their visiting family and friends have no idea where one mutual begins or ends.No flags on lawns or notices posted on buildings to alert anyone that the area has been sprayed. Our own in house newspaper should post these spraying schedules at least one week in advance and has not chosen to do so.
These toxins are not only making pets very sick, but the people who live here! Some folks are already trying to fight other illnesses including cancer, so their immune systems are really compromised! My own grandchildren are NOT allowed to play on other mutual’s lawns because of these dangerous pesticides! ( My mutual only uses organic.)
Residents have notified our Executive Director, the GRF board and the Presidents council about our concerns. Those mutuals who choose to move forward with toxic products in a negligent way are putting themselves at risk for liability. Maybe it is time to call an environmental lawyer!
Darnell Cook
Rossmoor versus the West County Connector Project
The I-605 / Katella Avenue Interchange Project and I-405 Expansion Project make most Rossmoor residents bristle. Dennis Mak, representing OCTA, spoke before the Rossmoor Homeowners Association meeting Tuesday night to address residents’ growing concerns. Mak explained that the 405 was being widened, bringing it 20’ closer to Rossmoor’s sound wall.
“There are 30 miles of streets in Rossmoor,” one resident piped up, “and half of those are 50% louder now.”
Realtor Lynnette O’Bryan elaborated, “After the first sound wall was built, we sent our sound readings to Caltrans which they disputed as being exaggerated. They came out to test again and recorded even higher decibels! Engineers acknowledged the sound wall was incorrectly designed, telling us a 16’ wall should have been constructed. We asked them to extend the wall and were told the footing would not bear the additional load. We asked what mitigation options were available. They could go 2’ higher in block or 4’ in steel. When we asked which was better, they admitted neither option would buffer freeway noise.”
Dennis Mak replied, “The current extension is Caltrans’ standard.”
Ralph Vartabedian, RHA board member, asked if the 2014 EIR had been provided to the community’s residents.
Caltrans Project Manager Andrew Chuah mumbled.
Tension rippled through the standing-room only meeting, “What do we have to do to get the job done right?” another resident railed.
From the recent EIR conducted on the failed LA Fitness proposal, Rossmoor activists learned that such reports may use data and tables from boiler plate documents which represent findings from other studies with “similar demographics or traffic.”
Cindy Senteno, Rossmoor homeowner near the 405, told Caltrans Project Manager Chuah, “The freeway is literally in my backyard. The average noise level is 73 decibels and 81 at peak periods. The limit set by the EPA is 55.” Chuah claimed this standard did not apply in this case.
Yet, according to the Caltrans website, the National EPA and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), do set such standards for the state. Art Remnet of the RHA declared, “Scientific model? No! Logically it’s B.S. You guys are engineers and realistically it doesn’t add up. That’s part of the problem. Why are people angry? Maybe it’s because Sacramento isn’t proving its standards. But let’s just see if you’re right. Test—if [the project] doesn’t meet the standards, fix it. You’ve got to fix it now.”
The West County Connector Project encroaches on the peace and privacy of residents near the 405 and 605 freeways. Noise and pollution levels are dangerous for our community with many retired seniors and four elementary schools. Filth particulate, including petroleum residue, collects under eaves, in doorways and window sills. Prevailing winds from the south bring soot directly into the basin of the intersecting freeways, meaning residents breathe this 24/7. These conditions erode health and devalue property.
Am I a NIMBY? You bet!
Diane Rush
Rossmoor Original Resident
