Time for fire rings to go; minimum wage scare tactics

Sadly, beach fire rings have to be removed

Saturday’s 3 a.m. stabbing at a Mission Beach bonfire (“Mission Beach bonfire fight injures two,” Oct. 19) attended by 50 people emphasizes that the time has come to remove fire rings from Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.

Our understaffed police force cannot enforce existing laws to prevent illegal activities at the fire rings.

Loud parties with drinking and drug use continue after 10 p.m., gang activity is prevalent, transients drink and sleep overnight, and carcinogenic smoke and debris are the result of illegal burning of oil-soaked pallets.

Callers to the police nonemergency numbers are told that there are too many emergencies and officers may not be able to respond to fire ring and beach-use violations.

Unfortunately, times have changed since grandparents could take grandchildren to fire rings to roast marshmallows.

Tim Lowrey
Pacific Beach

Scare tactics used in minimum wage battle

The U-T includes Jerry Sanders’ twisted logic (“Hiking labor costs will hurt San Diego’s economy,” Oct. 18) as to how San Diego’s minimum wage ordinance nets a 44 percent increase for these workers.

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  San Diego Union-Tribune
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Even if the percentage were true, it’s hard to find fault with someone earning $11.50 an hour (in 2017) in this fine city and relieving the taxpayer of making up the shortfall for their support through public welfare programs.

Maybe Mr. Sanders would be more sympathetic to this cause if his daughter were a low-wage worker.

Rick Stravinsky
San Diego

Trial for convicted kidnappers a waste

Of course Jorge Rojas Lopez and Juan Francisco Estrada Rojas are smiling during sentencing (“Violent crew’s leader gets 12 life sentences,” Oct. 16) because they were already serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Because of one of the longest and most expensive trials, they will now be serving additional life sentences.

But now, the problem is where else can our government find ways to waste more of our tax dollars? I am more than confident it will find some.

Allen Stanko
Alpine

Questions arise from campaign book theft

Scott Peters admitted that he and his campaign manager (“Peters’ camp got DeMaio campaign playbook,” Oct. 18) had Carl DeMaio’s campaign notebook, apparently taken during a break-in at DeMaio’s headquarters.

Peters said he did not read any of it, gave it to his campaign manager and then to the Police Department because it was evidence of a crime.

Why, how, when did Peters get this? How can any candidate have the evidence of a crime which would only benefit Peters? Who gave it to Peters? Who stole it?

Why aren’t the district attorney and Police Department releasing the information that they have regarding this to us — the voters?

Noel Spaid
Del Mar

One element missed in article on Samar

I was happy to see your story about the reunion of veterans (“WWII veterans of key battle set to reunite in San Diego,” Oct. 19) of the Battle off Samar.

It truly represented the greatest example of courage and American naval tradition in perhaps all of the 20th century.

However, you failed to mention that we have the memorial commemorating that battle. Located just south of the USS Midway, the Taffy 3 Memorial stands to remind all of the great valor displayed on that day. I am sure the veterans will include this as part of their visit.

Roger William Borst
Fallbrook

Go home if you don’t like our recycling

Regarding “California recycling efforts could be better” (Oct. 18): San Diego County has many reclamation centers.

If Michigan has better reclamation centers, go back there or hush up. No one likes a complainer.

William Lyons
Oceanside

Glad to see mental health issues getting coverage

Regarding “Mental health treatment in high demand” (Sept. 29): I am pleased to hear that more attention is being brought to the issue of mental health. As a nursing student who has completed a mental health clinical rotation, I have witnessed the needs of individuals who suffer from these illnesses.

It is difficult to see and hear of the shortage of mental health providers available to this population.

Many patients are seen over and over for the same illness without full recovery or management. Their short stay in behavioral health units puts a “band-aid” on their problem when it requires in depth therapy. I urge county officials to take action in working to find secure facilities that can be utilized as long-term care placements for these patients.

Providing long-term care and full recovery management, will allow many patients to rejoin society as positive and productive members.

Emily DeRoss
San Diego

Chatham cleanup a welcomed sign

I was impressed with the DTSC’s presentation updating residents about the Chatham cleanup process. A lot of information was provided and the staff devoted an inordinate amount of time to our questions and comments. I was glad to see that significant progress has been made in reducing the level of contaminants in the ground water surrounding the site. I was even happier to hear that they are continuing to monitor and re-assess the cleanup plan as needed based on the ongoing testing. I hope that the DTSC will provide periodic updates in the future with meaningful information showing what progress has been made, where additional attention is needed and what the plan going forward is.

Jodi Schnoebelen
Felicita Park

Happy to president being cautious

President Obama has promised to not put American boots on the ground in the war against ISIL. However, many Americans are criticizing his decision, clamoring for so-called leadership from him to send our men and women into harm’s way.

I salute Obama for his decision and hope he keeps his promise even in the onslaught of conservative pressure.

No one in my family would qualify for going to the Middle East, but I care for any person who could die or be wounded in this insane war. Doesn’t anyone realize that we have had and still have boots on the ground and nothing has really changed in the last decade?

The Arab countries need to step up and protect their lands. Don’t expect the U.S. to come along and be the defender of the world. We have given enough of our blood already.

Yolanda Emery
La Mesa