Letters to the Editor
Editor:
The recent decision to invest $500,000 in refurbishing dated CCTV systems is very encouraging news. I would like to commend the efforts of the individual who made this initiative possible. Last year and again a few months ago, I misplaced my ping pong racket and attempted to access security footage. However, the procedures explained by Security staff were overly complicated, preventing me from reviewing the recordings of both incidents. It seems apparent that there have been issues in the security system for some time. What were the challenges that delayed the refurbishment process, and how much have residents been paying for a malfunctioning security system? Additionally, does our community have an audit system in place to identify and address these issues arising in the Security department?
Also, we have new barrier arms installed at the Main Gate, and there is still one person staying in the box. What is the function of the barrier arm? In the past, there were two lanes, one for the guests and residents and the other, only for the residents. Now they use both lanes for guests and residents so sometimes, residents must wait until the guests clear the way. This makes it more inconvenient for the community.
In a third issue, I put the decal sign on my bike, and I made a free pass. But now, they request my real ID each time. I wonder why they made the procedure more inconvenient with the barrier arm for an old man.
Man Cho Mutual 4 Editor's Note: The GRF Board approved the purchase of new security cameras to replace ones that are more than 10 years old. The project was on the GRF Reserve Study for 2025 replacement. Residents don’t directly pay for Security’s surveillance services. Every GRF department is audited annually to estimate of the costs of repairing and replacing major common amenities. Anticipated future projects and expenses are then compiled into the annual reserve study. Secondly, the Main Gate barrier arms prevent unauthorized entry into Leisure World and the guards are there to direct traffic as needed. The lane configuration was changed to prohibit cross traffic at the gate for safety reasons. Thirdly, the rules for cyclists entering the community are currently undergoing review and will be changed be changed shortly.
Editor: There are many in LW who “used to” ski as well as active skiers who would enjoy finding others to ski with. Since moving to LW nine years ago, I have enjoyed many fun ski excursions with new friends. Our local mountains afford us the ability to do day trips, albeit long days. Big Bear Area, Mountain High and Mt. Baldy can all be great at certain times.
There are many reasons why we are now able to enjoy skiing in our senior years: ski slope grooming, advancements in ski equipment and an overall appreciation for keeping fit.
Our closest ski organization is the Long Beach Ski Club of which I am a member and active participant in many of the organized trips.
Joining the club gives one the opportunity to meet many good people through skiing. The club focus is skiing at Mammoth Mountain but it also organizes “fly away” trips to different locations each year.
This winter, it organized a ski trip to Japan with another trip flying from Long Beach to Utah. We also have a group of ice skaters who use The Rinks at Lakewood for weekly recreational skating. I highly recommend looking at this club for skiing, skating and social opportunities.
My LW friends, I would appreciate hearing from you if you would like to join me and others on the many varied options we have to rekindle our skiing fantasy or for active skiers to find new places and friends to ski with. Contact: Fred by email fedworthy@yahoo.com or 818-398-4150.
Fred Edworthy Mutual 1
Editor:
The Biden/Harris administration has failed to keep Americans safe. Per data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provided to Rep. Tony Gonzales R-Texas (July 2024), about 20 million unvetted illegal aliens entered U.S. That includes 13,099 murderers, 15,811 rapists, 425,431 convicted criminals; 350 terrorists; and 325,000 unaccompanied minors.
Biden/Harris canceled Trump's policies, to the detriment of our country. Trump had the best border security vetting process in America’s history.
Biden/Harris ended our ability to be energy independent by killing the Keystone-XL pipeline stopping drilling in Anwar, depleting our oil reserves. They allowed Putin’s pipeline to continue supplying fuel to Europe, allowing him to fund his war in Ukraine. Under Biden/Harris, ending our oil independence caused massive inflation from 1.4% to over 9%. Since oil is used in manufacturing, farming, shipping and transporting food and goods, prices to consumers skyrocketed.
We had no new wars under Trump.
Biden/Harris pulled U.S. military from Afghanistan first, leaving American troops and allies vulnerable, billions of dollars of high tech equipment in enemy hands and 13 American troops murdered.
Trump wants no taxes on Social Security, overtime pay and tips.
Kamala wants to tax unrealized capital gains. Kamala avoids tough questions. How will she face world leaders like Putin, Xi Jingping or Kim Jon Un when she is afraid to face Fox News?
Are you better off under Biden Harris then you were during Trump? I know my family isn't.
Evie Larson Mutual 7 Editor:
Thank you to the Seal Beach Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Kevin Kim, for the several hours of classical guitar music presented during your third annual concert on Oct. 12. Every note played sounded especially beautiful to my ears.
Debbi Fudge Mutual 1 Editor:
Buyer beware—I purchased an iPhone from a cell phone store and had a similar experience to the one Patricia Tilson referenced in Letters to the Editor (Oct. 10). I left the store with two extra items that I did not need. When I returned the items, my troubles began.
The supposed company store was not an active serving agent. The “authorized dealer” goal was to sell company products, not address the customer’s needs. I really needed help and got no satisfaction.
Diane Zink Mutual 15 Editor:
On Oct. 15, the Republican candidate once again refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power when pressed by an interviewer at an economic forum in Chicago. He openly suggests turning the military on American citizens simply because they oppose his candidacy. He considers anyone who doesn’t support him or will not bend to his will an enemy of our country.
His choice for vice president is a genuflecting novice senator who held no previous elected office and is unqualified to serve as president. The likelihood that Vance will ascend is high, given Trump’s age, known health issues and his unwillingness to release medical records.
Too many voters bought into the Flight 93 rhetoric of 2016. Some of the 74-plus million Trump voters in 2020 bought into Trump’s dark vision of a Biden presidency. He warned of a depression, yet the stock market is at an all-time high. He claimed guns would be confiscated. Of course, that hasn’t happened. He ridiculously said religious freedom would be terminated. He relentlessly pedals fear and hate.
Jan. 6, 2020, was one of the darkest days in American history, and Trump will lead the list of worst American presidents for that alone.
Is the Harris/Walz ticket perfect? Of course not. Do they offer a vision for the future? Yes. I voted, and trust Harris over the ensured chaos of a second Trump term.
Mark Bloomfield Mutual 4 Editor:
Trump praised the demise of the bipartisan border deal, taking credit helping to tank the legislation that took months to negotiate. He urged Republicans to vote against the bill before it was even unveiled, sayin that its passage would be a political victory for President Biden in the election year.
He took great pleasure in the bill’s failure. He is already a dictator.
Republicans are playing games and have no intentions of doing anything to solve the immigration, or rather, the illegal immigration, problem. They’re misleading their own party because they’re listening to their leader, the con artist.
We’re not easily fooled by Trump’s nonsensical speeches. He can only fool his own rally crowd He had brainwashed them the last time to the point, they almost killed his own vice president. That’s totally unconscionable for most normal people. We have to take a higher road and the better choice. Vote wisely, vote blue.
Ilona Denes Mutual 6 Editor:
I was impressed with Stephen Kerr’s simple speech at the Democratic National Convention this summer and even asked two of my granddaughters, who are first time voters this year, to watch it on YouTube. I will paraphrase it here for residents who are still undecided about who to vote for or are thinking about changing their minds.
The Golden State Warrior coach and winning 2024 USA Olympic Basketball Team coach talked about what attributes we should look for in choosing a president. He believes, as do I, that the leader of the free world must display dignity, must tell the truth, must be able to laugh at themselves, must care for and love the people they are leading, and must possess knowledge and expertise but also be aware that no one has all the answers and some of the best answers come from members of the team. He asked if these weren’t the same qualities we look for in friends, a boss, an employee, your child’s teacher or your mayor and further asked aren’t these the same qualities you would especially want your president to have?
Barbara Gardner Mutual 8 Editor:
Referencing Julie Ford-Maloney’s letter (Oct. 10) suggesting solar panels be installed on our units, I think that is a great idea! It seems she has given it practical consideration. I believe this would be a wonderfully positive way to influence the planet for the better, right now, as well as exercising stewardship over the world we will pass it to future generations.
Dave Crandall Mutual 10 Editor:
Let’s be honest folks. In this presidential campaign, no one can doubt who is the most qualified candidate for the job. By any measure, Kamala Harris is by far the clear choice for this high office. But she is a women and, sadly, there are many men, women too, who don’t believe that any woman has the stomach for the job.
Need I mention Thatcher of England, Merkel of Germany or Golda Meyer of Israel? How tough do you want them to be?
Who do you think would put America first?
Tom Pontac Mutual 10 Editor:
I started this letter to discuss the trees on St. Andrews that are still a problem. Perhaps you should plant them elsewhere. People are complaining to me, and I tell them to write a letter.
Now for the other topic I’d like to discuss, posters and signs in the garden areas.
When I first moved to LW in 1983, there were no signs, no posters in the garden area. Now, people are going too far. I see people with up to 10 signs.
Do they think they need 10 signs to let you know who they are voting for? It looks very trashy.
Two signs would get their message across. I think politics and religion should not be in our newspaper. Thanks for reading my opinion.
Grace Gate-Lesher Mutual 7
