July 6, 2008

ISSUES AT ALL SITES:  Nick Canepa (July 1, “Chargers ever closer to heading for the hills”) repeats the often-stated Chargers position that the Qualcomm Stadium site is no longer viable because of escalating concrete and steel prices as well as a declining condo market. These factors would affect the viability of any site, whether it be Qualcomm, western Chula Vista or City of Industry.

ROGER BIRKS, San Diego
MORE ON QUALCOMM: Well, it looks like Nick is up to it again. Canepa is crying the “poor” Chargers line about nobody here loves us. Funny. To quote Nick: “there's no money in a football stadium unless you own a club.” How right he is, and Qualcomm is a perfect example. So why in blazes would the city, any city, build or donate enough property to build a stadium and be left with a large structure that has no value? What's going on here is the owners of the Chargers perceive their team as the hottest commodity out there, and they think a community should consider itself lucky to have them. One final thought – does playing in Qualcomm make them less competitive? Heck, no. It just doesn't allow the owners to make a trillion dollars instead of billions.

GARY BERMAN, San Diego
DOES NOT COMPUTE: I have lived in San Diego since 1951. I have seen a lot happen in sports in San Diego during this time. But nothing like what is happening with the Padres now. Padres CEO Sandy Alderson has said at different times that none of the following is important in order for a baseball team to win: defense, speed, stolen bases, sacrifice bunts, batting average, driving in runs and avoiding strikeouts. As a result, the Padres are good at none of these and have the one of the worst records in baseball. Sounds to me like something is off here. But there is hope, because Alderson's computer told him that this year his team will win 90 games and be in the playoffs.

LARRY BELDEN, San Diego
GIVING “CREDIT”: The product the Padres have put on the field this year reminds me of the well-known credit-card commercial: Game ticket: $31
Parking: $10
Beer and a hot dog: $10.50
Chances of getting your money's worth: hopeless

JASON BALLOW, Encinitas
AN OLYMPIC HERO: What a heartwarming article by Mark Zeigler (July 3, “Brushing away the sands of time”) about Margaret Johnson Bailes and her winning a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics. Many of the true amateurs of past Olympics have been forgotten. To think that some of those past athletes may be our co-workers or neighbors is awe-inspiring. I know I would like to hear their stories and know who they are. I felt like I just met one. Thanks.

LENNY SCHLEIN, San Diego
MAKING AN IMPACT: It warmed my heart to open the paper and see Tom Desaulniers' picture in the paper (July 4, “Longtime umpire, volunteer an inspiring example”). It brought back fond memories as I read the story and recalled the impact that Tom had on me as a kid in high school looking to have some fun as a Little League umpire. Even today, some 34 years later as a 50-year-old man, I remember Tom and the lessons I learned, some of them with me to this very day. I think the biggest tribute to a person is not what he's done today, yesterday, or over the years. I really don't think it's that he's done all these wonderful things, to be honest. I think the “things” he's done have been little more than a vehicle to make an impact on the lives of others, and I think that is what defines the true legacy and character of an individual. It was a fitting tribute to read about a real hero on the Fourth of July working day-to-day with little recognition, yet a hero who has such an impact on everyone who comes in contact with him. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and are more than our traditional military, sports and political figures. Tom is certainly a hero of this village.

MIKE ROOK, San Diego

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