Letters to the Editor
July 01, 2011
Opinion
Litter, litter, everywhere
To the Editor:
While participating in the America in Bloom project day last Saturday, the amount of litter we collected was unbelievable. It’s incomprehensible how the businesses and residents in this city let litter accumulate in front of their places. At one business, there was a makeshift mailbox (coffee can filled with cement holding a dilapidated mailbox) that had litter stuffed in and around it. Not only were we shocked by the gall of people leaving litter, we were amazed that the business owner didn’t pick it up when he got the mail.
If you let litter accumulate, it makes it easier for others to throw their litter there too. If you notice very clean areas of the city, there is no litter. This is basic common sense. Every good businessperson I know has one of their employees designated to ensuring the outside entrances are free of litter or they do it themselves. Seeing trash is a definite turn off to customers. Do you not know that?
Obviously, no one should throw their trash on other people’s property. If you want to live like a pig, do it at your own house. If you smoke, the street is not your ashtray. Your disgusting habit is your doing. Don’t make us all see cigarette butts wherever we walk. It is gross. There is no reason why there is litter on the streets. You just have to bend over and pick it up. It doesn’t cost you anything, but it brings respect to yourself and your neighborhood.
The other day it was my privilege to see an older gentleman riding a bike on Santa Maria and stopping to pick up litter. He carried a bag on his handlebars and it was very full. Whoever you are, you are to be commended. If just a few of us followed his example, our streets would evidence our pride in our city.
I’ve deliberately made the rounds on Harvard and Eighth to see when a street sweeper comes. So far, there is no sign that a city street sweeper is working that area. Do we still have a street sweeper? Is it capable of sweeping up litter? Do we care that the trash is being swept into the river and down to the ocean? Is Santa Paula a major contributor to environmental pollution? From the looks of all the litter on Harvard, we definitely are guilty!
Kate Nolet
Santa Paula
A great loss
To the Editor:
THERE ARE NO WORDS... but I certainly have thousands of tears. There are hundreds of people that are sick that notifications have been given out regarding programs about to be cut. I have heard that some more of our programs were on the edge of being cut and would no longer be Santa Paula Elementary Schools’ pride and joy.
They have just destroyed the most outstanding music program in the area, that is if school administration and Boards members follow through with this horrific action.
I had the opportunity to serve on the board for about 18 years and many times we had to cut programs, personnel and curriculum, and look at other creative ideas. It was tough many times then and I know it is now, but there is no excuse to not look further. We knew that these programs served our students and gave a well-rounded and outstanding curriculum and growing opportunity.
If I have this wrong, I am sorry, but if what I have heard is true then we just have taken away a most outstanding opportunity to grow in many areas.
I would love to talk to board members and administration and see what is being done and if it is enough. It is time to have citizens and parents tap dance on their desks and fight. There have to be creative ideas and more ways to solve these problems. I know it is easy to Monday morning quarterback, but I also know there are ways to cut, without cutting programs such as band and music. I hope that here are those of you out there that have students and will get up off the comfy chairs and think what we can do.
I can think of several other ideas that maybe would be better discussed elsewhere.
Janet Grant
Santa Paula
Help our city officials
To the Editor:
Just like ‘neighborhood watch’ we need to look after our neighborhoods. Every one of our homes has lost value do to the economy and the policies of Washington, we all know that our city of Santa Paula is financially hurting at this time, however we can help our officials by being the eyes for our public officials in our neighborhoods. As most of our City Council is doing good things for us, we should step up and help our local officials as best we can. This can be accomplished by first learning what our current ordinances expect us to comply with in our neighborhoods. We don’t want to waste the officials time, because they are spread very thin these days.
If you see a situation next door to you that is a fire hazard to your property, help the city and notify our fire with correct and complete information to Fire Chief, Rick Arazia. Ph. 933 4229 - rick@spcity.org He does not have the money or the manpower to patrol the entire town looking for offenders. That is our job as alert, good citizens.
If you see a unlicensed, dismantled, or abandoned vehicle parked on the street or on private property, it is your duty to identify exactly what kind vehicle it is, color with the address and the owner if you know it. This is the only way our police department Ph.525 4474 police@ci.Santa-Paula.ca.us can enforce ordinances and help us to maintain our property values. Every one knows that junkie yards destroy adjacent property values.
If you see a residence in your neighborhood that is storing commercial materials or junk in their front yard for an extended period
David Kaiser
Santa Paula
Fourth of July picnic
To the Editor:
Feasting has always been part of Fourth of July celebration; on July 4, 1777, grand banquets were held in Philadelphia and other cities. But soon the parties moved outdoors.
In the morning a family would gather in their kitchen to pack the picnic baskets. Into them were fried chicken, potato salad, corn-on-the-cob, lemonade, big chocolate cake, ice-cold watermelon. Also plenty of deviled eggs and homemade ice cream. After the food was ready the baskets were loaded into the family buggy, off to the family picnic grove.
Almost every town, large and small, had a picnic grove. It was usually located in a pleasant, shady spot beside a river or lake.
Fourth of July picnics were organized in different ways. Sometimes a single family would set out and have a picnic on its own. Other times a group such as a Sunday School would sponsor the picnic. Families would attend, each bringing different dishes.
In the late 1800s, political campaigns began on the Fourth of July and local politicians also sponsored holiday picnics. The picnickers sat on folding chairs or blankets and listened to long political speeches. In return, they got free frankfurters, corn-on-the-cob, and sometimes steamed clams, pink lemonade for the women and children, and beer for the men.
After the eating was over, the games began. The men might engage in a tug-of-war; children might chase after a greased pig. Everyone, young and old, competed in sack races and watermelon-eating contests.
By late afternoon, most people were ready to go home. Everyone was a little tired and a little sunburned, but happy and full of good food. It had been a fine Fourth of July picnic.
Today few Sunday Schools sponsor picnics on July 4, and most political campaigns don’t get under until Labor Day, but many cars head for a park, beach, friend’s home. After eating, people today are more likely to play a game of softball or football. Some places there are sack races and watermelon-eating contests.
Despite present-day traffic jams and crowded parks, most people would agree with their great-great grandparents – that Fourth of July picnics are a lot of fun!
Happy Fourth of July!
Lynda Lloyd
Santa Paula
Congratulations!
To the Editor:
I just wanted to congratulate all the Santa Paula High and Renaissance students who graduated this year. I tip my hat and extend the highest accolades and kudos to all those who have never stopped reaching for their goals. Because in all honesty, an individual himself sets his own barriers… once you believe you can do it, you will do it and nothing can stop you!
The interviews you guys published on some of the graduates were very inspiring. Those kids are our future and they are very bright. I was very proud to see my lil’ cousin Joline Magaña in your editorial. My other cousin Armando Ramirez was a graduate this year as well and they both make our family very proud! I congratulate both and everyone else who graduated. Never stop reaching for the stars!
Juan C. Cardona
Corcoran, CA
In gratitude
To the Editor:
As you know there was a gathering of food recently by U.S. Mail Carriers of Santa Paula. And what a terrific job they did with the very large amount of donations that Santa Paula families placed by their mailboxes.
Much of this food was taken to the Community Assistance of Santa Paula (CASP) office on Mill Street, where it was sorted and given to the needy families of Santa Paula.
We are very grateful for the help of the carriers and others who were involved in the Food Drive. Please accept our thanks and how much we appreciated their help.
Ruth Colbath, Manager
Community Assistance of Santa Paula
