Registering support for new registrar
Regarding “New registrar of voters already coming under fire” (Our Region, May 12):
I am the chief elections official for Yolo County and well-known as the one registrar of voters in this state who is the most vocal opponent of paperless voting. I feel a strong obligation to respond to criticism of San Diego's hiring of Deborah Seiler as your new registrar of voters.
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I have known and worked with Deborah Seiler for many years in her various capacities, including as assistant registrar in neighboring Solano County. We do have different views about electronic voting, but I consider her an invaluable asset to the election community.
It is a grave error to condemn Seiler chiefly as an advocate for voting technology vendors, and it does a disservice to the voters of San Diego County. Seiler is certainly a vigorous contributor to the ongoing debate about election systems, but she is among the most intelligent and fair-minded of my “opponents.” She is also gracious and impartial to an extraordinary degree.
Finally, and most important, she is a consummate, knowledgeable professional with many, many years in all levels of election administration and absolutely steller relationships with colleagues, staff and the public. She will serve San Diego County with incredible ability, energy, justice and fairness. You are lucky to get her!
FREDDIE OAKLEY
Woodland
Add some imagination to waterfront plan?
Regarding “Navy complex projects get poor marks” (Our Region, May 17):
Good article by staff writer Jeanette Steele, but when is San Diego going to wake up to the sense that we have, probably, the last great harborside entrance left in the United States that could and should be turned into something grand. Something visitors would relish when entering the port.
Not the mediocre design plans of a Doug Manchester, who merely rehashes old designs and uses subpar architects for his grand schemes. Or even the Irvine Co.'s nice design that Santa Monica architect Gwynne Pugh noted as being “maybe more of a background building.” There she hit the point right on its head. Something like what is proposed should be moved uptown and not used as a greeter to those coming into San Diego and its harbor.
Unfortunately, we San Diegans have no, as Charles Black of the Irvine Co. said, “Look at me!” architectural designs. San Francisco has the Trans-Am, Seattle the Space Needle, New York City the Empire State Building, Syndey its opera house – all destination buildings. We need look at structures as meaningful as those as signifiers of a vibrant San Diego.
FREDERICK LEE HEINZ
San Diego
The designs submitted recently for the Navy Broadway Complex have been called “cartoony” and “incredibly mediocre” by a redevelopment agency board member. Why not take these assessments to the max in order to come up with a viable plan. Why not throw a bunch of 5-year-olds in a room with some building blocks. Their eyes are open. Their minds are clear. Their vision is unbiased. Or get the folks at the redevelopment agency and Manchester Financial together with a bunch of Legos. Imagination. Vision. Try it!
REGINA MORIN
San Diego
Higher gas prices and environmentalists
Before retirement, I was an economic consultant to environmental nongovernmental organizations and later oil companies. Many environmental groups know that higher gasoline prices will eventually lead to a reduction in gasoline usage. However, they don't want their fingerprints on a gasoline tax increase recommendation that would lead to higher prices.
Later, when I consulted with oil companies on expansion of refinery capacity, I recommended against new greenfield refineries, especially in California. The unique blend of gasoline in California protects existing refineries from import competition and new refineries are almost impossible to build at a cost that would let new competitors recover their investment. Of course, the problem with new refinery costs is directly related to California environmental laws and the new California carbon dioxide rules will make investments even more problematic. In the end, environmental groups get their price increase without their fingerprints.
DICK HARRIFF
Solana Beach
Generating power via electricity, wind turbines
Regarding “Sunrise isn't on agenda, but still key topic” (Our Region, May 17):
With the federal government stepping in to make sure that Southern California takes steps to strengthen its electricity grid, the Sunrise Powerlink makes more sense than ever. Sure, people don't like to look at power lines, but like roads and water pipes, upgrading infrastructure is a necessary part of maintaining the excellent quality of life we enjoy in San Diego.
As vice president of public policy for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., I wish to state that when the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission and the California Independent System Operator all say that San Diego and California need to have the Sunrise Powerlink built and in operation, then I think it is time we all listen to the energy experts and get behind an important project like this.
ANDREW POAT
San Diego
After decades of working to persuade politicians to introduce renewable energy legislation, environmentalists want to turn back the clock. “Desert valley could see wind turbines” (Our Region, May 15) made it clear that both the Bush and Schwarzenegger administrations implemented energy laws in line with the desires of environmental groups, but now those groups don't want to obey these laws. I encourage those in opposition to the wind turbines to please propose other alternatives, other than Not In My Back Yard!
JENNIFER BARAJAS
Golden Hill
Gauging public support for grocery workers
Do grocery workers really grasp what consumers are willing to pay for? (“Employees take case to customers/Grocery workers rally, plan to go door-to-door to educate residents,” Business, May 17). While the unions and grocers can continue to talk and trade arguments on what consumer expectation is when we walk into a local grocery store, there is one quick way to find out: Have each store place a bucket at the checkout counter for two weeks with a sign asking every patron to place a dollar bill in the bin each time they pass through a checkout line as a health care surcharge toward worker health care benefits.
Independent accountants could quickly tally how the public complied with the request. This unbiased approach would give both sides the answer they need before we end up with another strike based upon emotion and not fact. Any guesses what the answer would be?
AL SARGEANT
La Jolla
A needed first step in addressing border sewage
Regarding “Report urges new look at two border sewage ideas” (Our Region, May 17):
As anyone who works in the environmental community or has tried to surf or swim in Imperial Beach knows, sewage flows from the Tijuana River have long been a significant environmental problem for our region. While San Diego Coastkeeper, where I serve as executive director, has not taken a formal position on the proposed Bajagua project, we are increasingly focused on helping to foster a regional solution to the border sewage crisis. We have been anxiously awaiting the release of environmental attorney Cory J. Briggs' report, and believe it marks an important step in uniting the entire environmental community on both sides of the border in searching for a comprehensive solution to this challenging problem.
BRUCE REZNIK
San Diego
