County assailed over health services
Regarding “County may lose health aid for poor” (A1, May 10):
The League of Women Voters of San Diego County, in which I serve as president, applauds the Union-Tribune and reporter Cheryl Clark for the coverage of County Medical Services. We are more than disappointed that County Medical Services has fallen to the bottom of the California barrel in funding and enrollment of residents who are in need of services.
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Health care is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Supervisors, yet it rarely appears on the board's radar or in its statements. So to find that the county could actually lose $13 million in federal funding because of the board's lack of attention is a public outrage.
For all San Diego County voters, this should be a major issue in the campaigns for supervisorial seats. Elected officials cannot say they support families and let this embarrassing situation continue. The League supports true universal health insurance. No one should be falling through big cracks in the system without hearing an outcry from those who care about social justice.
NANCY McCLEARY
San Diego
Pool closure could have been avoided
Regarding “It's nearing sink or swim time for city and its kids” (Our Region, May 11):
I must say columnist Gerry Braun almost got it right. Usually, city pools are closed for three-and-a-half to four months for budget restraints. In the case of the Allied Gardens community pool, which was scheduled to reopen this week, there are now signs posting it will not be open until July 7.
It is being resurfaced. The construction began recently. Can anyone in the city explain why the seasonal closure could not have been combined with the resurfacing? Is the Parks Department so shortsighted and inept that the citizens/youth of lame duck City Councilman Jim Madaffer's district suffer? City job outsourcing is becoming more appealing by the day.
KELLY JOHNSON
Allied Gardens
Critical of SDSU's 'perceived reputation'
Regarding “Drug Raid has SDSU concerned on image” (Our Region, May 11):
The “ 'Party school' reputation overshadows academics” heading below the main headline is a conclusion unsupported by facts. It cites no survey of the public, alumni, faculty, students, donors or other universities that could gauge perception and attitudes about San Diego State University in the wake of its bold action against drug dealing.
A university's reputation is developed and established over time. In SDSU's case, it has developed a national reputation for outstanding academic excellence, top-notch faculty that conducts cutting-edge research and high-caliber students who graduate to become this region's business, government and community leaders. Students are competing to gain admission into SDSU in record numbers for one reason: academic excellence.
As an alumnus, I am very proud of the action SDSU took to help rid the university of drugs and drug dealers. As a parent whose children will be applying to universities in just a few years, I hope they will attend a university that puts students well being above perceived “reputation.”
DENNIS CUSHMAN
El Cajon
Union leader addresses layoffs
Regarding “School stands to lose nearly all its teachers” (A1, May 6):
The relationship between the San Diego Education Association, or SDEA, and San Diego Unified is governed by the Public Employee Relations Act and the California Education Code. It must also be governed by civility and integrity. San Diego Unified Superintendent Terry Grier stated that SDEA was given and refused a proposal to “except” Jackson Elementary from layoffs. No such proposals have ever been made to SDEA by Grier or any other agent of San Diego Unified.
The pervasive rumor that SDEA can make exceptions on layoffs for certain schools or individuals is unfounded. Layoffs are governed by state law, not union contracts. Only the school board can lay off employees, and only the school board can rescind its layoffs. SDEA's only role is to protect and defend all employees in the awful circumstance of layoffs.
If anyone in SDUSD administration can substantiate the assertion that SDEA can make such exceptions, we will happily “except” all 900-plus SDEA members who received reduction-in-force notices as well as the dozens more who were cut from temporary contracts. Clearly the district is embarrassed by media attention given to schools like Jackson that were hard hit by layoffs. Our school board was apparently not aware of the drastic impact its decision would have on these schools. If Grier really cared about our children and our educators, he would have made sure the school board knew the implications of its decision before it was made.
San Diego's educators are tired of being the scapegoat for a system we don't control. This school board has the ability to rescind the layoffs – it just lacks the political will and the creativity to find an alternate solution. No one is working harder than SDEA and our over 8,000 members to stop the layoffs, but we can't move ahead unless we work with people of good will.
CAMILLE ZOMBRO
President
San Diego Education Association
Proposed Lindbergh changes should stop
Regarding “Board approves master plan for Lindbergh Field” (Around Our Region, May 2):
San Diego must build a new two-runway airport as soon as possible or it will severely hurt the future economy of San Diego. Lindbergh Field will reach the Federal Aviation Administration maximum takeoff level in four to five years. Every year after that, until a new airport is built, San Diego's businesses and tourism will be severely impacted. Companies and jobs could leave San Diego, and tourists could find it too inconvenient due to flight delays and higher air fares. The only solution to this problem is East Miramar, where the takeoff point would be five miles east of the Marine runway at Miramar, and 15 miles east of La Jolla.
Homeowners north of Miramar are concerned about future noise. This is not a problem. An east Miramar airport could be built south of a ridge. Residents north of east Miramar would not hear the planes. The problem appears to be real estate developers, who want to take over that land when the Marines leave and build thousands of houses and condos. They appear to have great influence on the Airport Authority.
The Airport Authority must start doing its job and select a site for a new San Diego airport. The proposed changes to Lindbergh Field should be stopped until a new site is selected and approved. This would force the Airport Authority to do its job for the benefit of all San Diegans.
TOM DELAHANTY
San Diego
