In Mission Valley, no or sustainable growth?
Regarding “Hazard Center proposal met with criticism” (Our San Diego, June 21):
I've attended meetings of the North Park Planning Group and the Serra Mesa Planning Group to see how they compare to my own local Mission Valley Planning Group. My question is: Why can't the concept of limited growth in other neighborhoods be applied to Mission Valley?
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I'll tell you why. North Park and Serra Mesa planning groups are properly balanced between their neighborhoods' residents and local merchants. They volunteer their time and hold their meetings in the evening for the public to attend and participate.
The Mission Valley Planning Group is composed almost 100 percent of developers and their commercial supporters, and they hold their meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at noon, effectively shutting out homeowner participation. The MVPG's by-laws section on membership is so overbroad that just about anyone from anywhere can qualify – as long as you can be there at Wednesday noon.
Of the thousands of homeowners residing in Mission Valley now, fewer than 1 percent sit on the MVPG.
RITA L. BARTEL
Mission Valley
Why is H. G. Fenton Co. opposing the Quarry Falls project? What aspect of this dvelopment does it have a problem with?
I would think that a developer would not be opposed to the idea of a sustainable community that will offer many acres of parks and open spaces, as well as civic facilities and Mission Valley's first public school. I certainly would not expect that Fenton would be antagonistic toward mixed-use development and environmentally friendly features like drought resistant landscaping and a shuttle system throughout the community. So why is Fenton opposed? Perhaps this development company has its own best interest in mind and is concerned about a large piece of land being taken and developed by another company.
Regardless of Fenton's opposition, the list of supporters is substantial: the San Diego River Park Foundation, the Endangered Habitats League , the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. and the Chamber of Commerce.
Quarry Falls is a model sustainable community that will be a beneficial factor as Mission Valley and San Diego continue to grow. I look forward to being a part of this development for San Diego and Mission Valley, after having lived in the Mission Valley area for over 17 years.
JEFFERY T. JOHNSON
San Diego
As long as new developments are greenlighted, I will assume we don't have any water shortage problem here. I will never conserve when I see new communities sprouting up all over.
KIRK DICKINSON
San Diego
Worrisome statistics on school dropouts
The Union-Tribune is to be commended for addressing this type of subject in the editorial and the accompanying chart. It is important that the community be aware of statistical information of this type and understand an interpretation of the statistics and the impact of the interpretation on the community. There is much important information for the community on this subject.
The most important statistic is the percentage of students who enrolled in 7th grade and made it through 12th grade. Sixty-seven percent of the 7th grade class remained in the 12th grade.
Another statistic not given here is how many students in 12th grade at the end of the year actually graduated and how many will remain in 12th grade next year.
This large dropout rate is certainly an alarming statistic. It is very detrimental for the San Diego community to have a large proportion of residents who are semi-literate and have no high school diploma.
JOE HILL
San Diego
Handing FJC to YWCA would be a good move
The YWCA is qualified to properly and effectively administer the Family Justice Center (“Gwinn seeks FJC move,” Our Region, June 22). The proposed private-public partnership will improve the delivery of essential services to abuse victims while saving the city money that can be spent on other equally important public services. The YWCA has the public good will that makes it possible to raise private dollars to provide necessary social services the city cannot presently provide.
Private-public partnerships have successfully helped improve the lives of our fellow citizens in many areas of public concern such as education, safety, shelter and health.
I urge our civic leaders to promptly do what it takes to expand services to victims of domestic abuse, using the talent and capabilities of the YWCA.
STEVEN BOUDREAU
San Diego
