OUR READERS WRITE: Letters to the Editor, May 12 issue

La Jolla at a crossroads with Cove swim advisories

I’m not sure I’ve ever posted a comment on a news article before, but the recent health advisory posted at La Jolla Cove, is only another step in what is becoming a downward spiral for La Jolla.

You can’t swim at Children’s Pool, The Cove has enough bacteria to where the county has to put up warning signs, our streets are falling apart in key areas but are re-paved in areas that were OK to begin with. The entire commercial area in the Village reeks in the summer. Trash bins are overflowing everywhere. There is very little public landscaping on our main streets. Beautification efforts start and end at massive, strange murals painted on the side of buildings.

La Jolla is one of the most highly sought-after communities in San Diego, California, and the USA. But it pales in comparison to other high-end beach communities in our state when it comes to many key factors.

I’m shocked that we’ve let minority conservancy groups prop up the nuisances that are reported year-after-year in La Jolla, namely the seals, sea lions and birds that cause the stench and bacteria problems. How many people will have to get sick, how many businesses to lose customers, how many beaches to be closed until the conservancy groups are happy?

Matt Cadwell

When push comes to shove, people’s needs trump animals’

I can see why people would vote for Donald Trump … though I will not. It’s maddening to hear from these seal and sea lion lovers, mammal protectionists and PETA wannabes. Mammals and wildlife have to be managed. Just like humans. We wouldn’t let anyone just set up living quarters on the beach. We even regulate the type of structure that can be erected.

Our beaches are no different. Our coastline and access to the water are our main attractions. Not the seals and sea lions. With a lack of natural predators in our waters and population growth, the problem (yes, it is a problem) will continue to get worse. Will it get your attention when seals and sea lions start to populate La Jolla Shores?

I can almost give up the Children’s Pool, but not the beloved Cove. We as residents of La Jolla need to stand up to these irrational animal lovers and do the right thing for EVERYONE.

J.J. Bacino

Where can I swim?

Well if I can’t swim at The Cove, I can swim at Goldfish Point. No, there are sea lions there. I can swim at Boomer. No, there are sea lions there. I can swim at the La Jolla Caves. No, there are sea lions there. I can swim at Children’s Pool. No there are seals there. I can swim at South Casa Beach. No there are seals there.

David Pierce

Sea Lions vs People, a case of first come-first served?

In 1948, Max Miller, author of “I Cover the Waterfront,” wrote a chapter called, “And There Are Sea Lions” in his book about La Jolla, “The Town with a Funny Name.” His report describes sea lions playing tag with him and local divers, and following him around on his daily swims. Seals and sea lions have been part of La Jolla’s natural setting since before it got its name and it maybe they are simply returning to their habitat abandoned during the California Fur Trading that began in the late 1700s.

Tony Ciani

Pacific Grove

Are seal protectionist hearts really in the right place?

Does anyone believe the seals and sea lions actually need protection from humans on these teeny, tiny beaches? They are obviously overpopulating the area, evidenced by ever-increasing numbers of starving pup rescues by SeaWorld and others.

The only thing the animal activists are accomplishing is allowing seals to overpopulate the area, increasing pup starvation and escalating the potential for disease to suddenly wipe out the local seal population.

The seal poop is overwhelming due mainly to the overpopulation in the area, which came from overprotecting the seals by closing off the Children’s Pool from human use.

The people who really care about the welfare of these animals are those who want the seal population to normalize — no starving pups. I think the animal activists care more about their own feelings. They want to feel warm and fuzzy about themselves with the mistaken notion that they are “protecting” the birthing mothers and seal pups, when in reality they’re dooming the entire population, carelessly.

John Floyd

Support for sculpture is support for so much more

I walked by Nasser Pirasteh’s “structure” the other day, trying to figure out how it could cause the City of San Diego such grievance as to impose a $250,000 fine (if it is not removed).

It was nearing sunset. I paused and all logic was swept away by the magical colors glittering in all directions, each reflection causing a new enunciation of the scattering light. The hectic day done, I felt inspired, energized, and I started to smile for no apparent reason other than the sheer joy of seeing a kaleidoscope of colors whirling around in his space. I dearly wished I could stand inside the clever dome and continue to be transported into the world of imagination, blocking out the hard edges of our realities.

I followed the writings on his white retaining wall — all the comments in support of art, beauty and freedom of expression. Take those away and what do we have left? Thank you Mr. Pirasteh for your generous gift to us, for your vision, for your skill, and for your courage.

Neva Sullaway

Watch out for new phone scam

I’d like to report a scam phone call last week. A male voice identifying himself as a Sheriff’s Department officer said that I was required to appear in municipal court within the next 2 hours for failure to respond to a jury duty notice. When I protested, the caller said I could forestall immediate arrest by giving him a credit card number, which would put my case on hold until I appeared. I asked for a phone number to verify his claim. Of course, I did not give a card number or call the number he gave me, but instead, I called the Sheriff’s Department, which was a different number. The answering person said, “What you experienced is a scam, report it to the police department. I did and, after a 15-minute wait for someone to pick up, I was told not to bother filing a report, because they could do nothing about it!

Phyllis Minick

Slow water leak can lead to high water bill

My last water bill was $1,116.76 — about six times my normal bill. My plumber found an undetectable underground sprinkler system leak. San Diego public utilities were very unforgiving, and would not discount my bill even though most of my charges were in their highest cost level. If the water company billed every month, like every other business, my water leak would have been discovered sooner. Why are they allowed to bill every two months?

Check your water meter often to make sure this does not happen to you!

Rebecca Jorgenson

Service dog rules nicely presented

Thank you, La Jolla Light and reporter Ashley Mackin, for the May 5 article clarifying the ADA guidelines for service animals in public places. It is very specific and I hope those who bring their dogs into grocery stores will read it and understand. Vons a is a great store, and if they, or any other store, should ask a customer “if it is a service dog and what service it performs,” remember, they are not being mean, or discriminating, but following the law. True service animals should always be welcome, but all others should be left at home, never in a hot car.

Mary Rayes

La Jolla Light’s library coverage helps connect community

The Light continues to provide superb coverage of the La Jolla Library events, most recently the full page (May 5) dedicated to our very well received “Auction Book Roadshow” that brought in 60 visitors wanting to know the value of their old books. Your story with the accompanying color photos is a perfect example of the newspaper’s value to the community.

Also in the last few weeks, we have been delighted with the piece about our story time leader Teri Newlee, who volunteers every week to read to the younger library visitors. The library also added a new staff member, Angie Stave, as the new Youth Services Librarian, and she was profiled in the Light soon after she started. Almost every week there are library events listed in your community calendar, in addition to providing readers with other reminders of how the library is such a valuable asset to La Jolla.

Thank you for everything you do to support La Jolla.

Jim Stewart, Corresponding Secretary

Friends of the La Jolla Branch Library

CORRECTION

The La Jolla Film Festival will be held 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 700 Prospect St., not La Jolla High School as reported in the May 5 issue. Although open to students, the festival is not affiliated with the high school. More details at lajollafolmfestival.com

What’s on YOUR mind?

Letters to the Editor for publication in La Jolla Light should be 250 words or less, and e-mailed to editor@lajollalight.com and must include the full name of the sender, city of residence and phone number for verification. Note: The content of letters are not the opinions of La Jolla Light.