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State Route 52 is constantly littered with debris that is wind-blown off large trucks headed for the landfill. Highway clean-up efforts can't seem to keep up with the amount of litter that causes visual pollution along the roadside. This debris also lands in Mission Trails Regional Park. Santee residents heading westbound are impeded as the returning trucks climb the summit and slow traffic. This is a potential accident waiting to happen.

The operator of the landfill, Allied Waste Industries, has numerous violations under its current status, including excessive amounts of explosive methane gas. How will the company be able to run an efficient and non-polluting operation when it can't do so at its current size?

Daily westerly winds blow across the landfill and then directly over Santee. Just because the landfill is not visible does not mean that every Santee resident isn't impacted by its existence with the odor, debris and traffic it generates.

I urge the city of San Diego to rethink the scope of this proposed expansion. The expansion may benefit San Diego but certainly will not be an asset for Santee.

CAROL MURDOCK
Santee

Fire victims' case against Option One

I was appalled to read of the continued trials for the Paynes of Ramona, victims of the October firestorm (“Fire victims learn of nasty surprise,” East County, April 5).

While it can be understandable for some precautions to be in place relating to the release of insurance proceeds, this appears to be completely out of line. This is not a small or for that matter a major repair covered by insurance proceeds. This was a total loss, not only of the structure, but all personal belongings.

How arrogant can their mortgage company be to claim that California law does not apply to it? Option One Mortgage Corp. registered as a California corporation and qualified to do business in the state on Nov. 3, 1992, corporate number C1846488. Option One Mortgage Services Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, registered with and qualified to transact business within California on Jan. 19, 1996, corporate number C1960659. And lastly, Option One Mortgage Capital Corp. is located at the same Irvine address as Option One Mortgage Corp., a Delaware corporation registered with and qualified to transact business within California on Nov. 30, 2006, under corporate number C2935541. With such filings, it would appear to me that all these entities must adhere to the statutes and laws of the state of California as the governing body over any transactions that these entities are conducting.

Certainly the gross insurance proceeds exceeded the mortgage amount due to Option One Mortgage. If this is the case, I'd be talking to the fraud division of the District Attorney's Office in downtown San Diego. At worst case, Option One Mortgage pays off the mortgage, without penalty, and should send the difference to the Paynes and allow them the ability regain their lives.

Maybe a conversation with a lawyer about some “bad faith” actions on the part of Option One Mortgage would get them moving in the right direction.

MICK BOSTWICK
Vista

Mobile home company mistreats residents

I just want to thank you for your editorial on Dianne Jacob and the tactics of “gravedigger” Sam Zell of Equity Lifestyle Property (“Mobile home litigation muzzles a public champion,” March 22).

We here at Rancho Mesa Mobile Park are still in a legal battle of our own that started a few years ago (case number GIE020549). We have lost about one-third or more of our residents and friends who were forced to move due to the company's double-digit rent increases. These seniors gave up their homes for $1,500 vs. market value of $35,000 plus.

This is the way Zell treats your parents. We are not alone in this; more mobile home residents up the state are losing their investments and homes and have lawsuits also. One example is Modesto and four parks in that area. Watch for more developments with our lawsuit now that this case is going back to court with a jury.

Thanks again for bringing it to the public's attention that there is a landlord preying on seniors. (A casual drive-through makes a visitor aware of the vacant lots and dismal reality.)

MIKE STAUF
Rancho Mesa Mobile Park
El Cajon

Suppose every school taught religion...

In response to the High School Voices commentary by Brittnie Swartchick of Steele Canyon High School (“Religion deserves place in classrooms”, Our East County, March 29):

I must say that the idea to “designate certain classes from the curriculum to be...for different religions” is absolutely brilliant. In fact, the First Amendment allows freedom of religion, so why shouldn't everybody be able to learn about their own religion during school with their “spiritual peers”?

Separation between church and state really should not be allowed. It only serves to muck up the whole system. I mean, seriously, King Henry VIII had it right when he forced everyone in England to congregate in his Church of England. The riots were no big deal to quell. Americans should have stayed behind. Rock on, Ms. Swartchick, rules and religion should go together, hand-in-hand.

Schools should add a special section to their already cut budgets to include religious teachers of diverse religions on their payrolls.

However, one very small detail in the First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Interpreted broadly, this would mean that public schools cannot establish certain classes to be dedicated to religion. Sorry Ms. Swartchick, it just wouldn't work.

CHRISTINA SHUM
Class '08
La Jolla High School

The public health and Home Depot site

Regarding “Reaping the sorrow of tobacco products” and “Second-hand smoke is a killer, too” ( Letters, March 29):

The El Cajon City Council failed in its moral responsibility to protect its citizens when it approved a Home Depot to be built next to our homes.

It is estimated that Home Depot will bring 7,900 vehicles and 15 to 25 big rigs on a daily basis. Diesel exhaust contains hundreds of chemicals including many that are human carcinogens.

The council's concern was not for the citizens. It was about the estimated $600,000 a year in tax revenues for the city and potential campaign contributions in a city that has no limit. Again, it comes down to the almighty dollar.

Let's put things into perspective. I would rather pass an occasional smoker in a public area than live next door to Home Depot any day of the week. No comparison.

YOLANDA GORDON
El Cajon