Speak Out
Chaos on Dry Creek
I have been a resident of Dry creek Road for almost 40 years. When my husband and I moved here, our section of Dry Creek Road terminated before the end of the block. It was later connected to Cherry Avenue. There wasn't even a sidewalk on the Willow Glen High School side of the street. Most mornings and afternoons you could find my husband at the edge of our garage in his chair watching as the students and faculty took their breaks. It was a quiet tranquil setting and had provided us the comforts that we expected.
Over the years, the school has expanded, much like most of Willow Glen. There are now sports fields where there were orchards and classrooms where there used to be open spaces. My husband and I accepted these changes as progress. But the latest change, that moved school buses from Cottle Avenue to Dry Creek Road, is not progress, it's chaos.
It is not progress when I see the buses idling across the way from my residence, belching black smoke into the air. As a person with a congestive heart failure, emphysema and allergies, I often have trouble breathing. I cannot think of a worse situation. When asked by my neighbors, the city informed them that no environmental impacts were even given a consideration for this change.
Also, I feel that City Councilman Ken Yeager's office left the residents of Dry creek Road, who are mostly seniors, out of the loop, masking the bus relocation as "traffic calming for Cottle Avenue." Why not call it what it is: A traffic nightmare for the residents of Dry creek Road.
What has become of my tranquil setting? It is already intimidating enough to back my car out of my driveway with the number of cars that use Dry Creek Road. Now I have to dodge children cutting in between buses as well as their parents frantically attempting to drop them off and pick them up.
Talk about a city that cares about its neighborhoods!
Catherine Lombardo
Dry Creek Road
Yelling back at injustice
Hell hath no fury like a scofflaw scorned!
I'm writing in response to Sara Arnott's letter to the editor titled "Stop yelling at cars passing by," published in the April 10 issue of The Willow Glen Resident. Arnott stated that the children of Johnston Avenue should stay in their backyards rather than play near streets where drivers, even "upcoming attorneys," may be speeding. Individuals breaking the law and disregarding the safety of our precious little ones perpetrate what amounts to a reign of terror. I am merely an established "blue-collar worker," but am I willing to hide in a corner and cower, or change my life because some bullies are trying to take away my freedom by speeding down the street? The answer is an emphatic, 'n-n-n-o-o-o!' I will not be deprived of the sound of the happy voices of children playing together in the front yard, even if it means I must add my own, "Slow down!" to it. Each child is a masterpiece, an irreplaceable work of art, and I will do anything to protect each one from potential tragedy, even if it seems "intolerant." We have a great neighborhood, and at least 30 times a day, people exceed the speed limit. By the way, there is such a thing as "prima facie," whereby you can obey the posted speed limit and still be endangering the lives of others due to special circumstances, such as children playing nearby. To do so on a street with 60 children under the age of 8 is to use your car as a weapon of destruction. If we are intolerant, so are Child Protective Services, Amnesty International and all the other "whistle-blowing" organizations. We will continue to raise our voices to injustice. If any speeding, self-absorbed knuckleheads don't like it, they can simply avoid Johnston Avenue in the future.
Matt Landers
Johnston Avenue
Don't fear pit bulls
I read the letter written by Chuck Weber printed in the April 10 issue of the Willow Glen Resident. I wish you printed more letters that are written by open minds and healthy souls. Somehow, I found his letter to be very ignorant and biased. I get the feeling that Weber thinks Hitler was a great leader, slavery was a good deal, and most likely, he would burn a witch if he thought he knew one! Chuck Weber, people are afraid of the unknown. Do yourself a favor and try to get to know a few pit bulls. Get over your fear and you'll be a fan too. Not only are Pit Bulls great pets, they have the right to be on the planet regardless of the fact that some heartless people misuse them.
With regard to all living things on our beautiful planet.
Mehrnoosh (Nooshi) Nayak
Minnesota Avenue
Day of the Teacher is a special time to honor educators on May 8
The Day of the Teacher originated in Mexico. It was brought to the United States by the Association of Mexican-American Educators, Inc. (AMAE). They were responsible for getting legislation passed that designates that the day is always observed on the second Wednesday of each May. This year it's May 8.
Teachers affect the lives of everyone. They are the frontline troops helping all segments of society to fulfill their dreams. They are the ones who instill a sense of pride in students and reinforce the ethical and moral values needed for a great nation. Teachers are searchers for ways to encourage the unmotivated and to challenge all other students at all levels. Teachers are also the altruists constantly reaching out and trying to help because that is their greatest fulfillment. That is why they become teachers, and that is why they are proud of their profession.
Ultimately, nothing makes teachers happier than seeing their students succeed. Inasmuch as teachers' day never ends, we are asking our community to set aside this one day to observe, celebrate and honor all teachers.
Lu Messimer
California Retired Teachers Association
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
