Letters to the editor: Issue of Sept. 5, 2013

Forum appreciated

I’d like to thank the Rancho Bernardo Community Council for sponsoring the Aug. 22 forum on the serious coyote situation here in RB. The overflow crowd of residents who attended came away with a wealth of information and new insights gained from the excellent presentation given by the wardens and staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is now the responsibility of our citizens to implement all of the important safety tips and pass them on to neighbors who were unable to attend. Many thanks to the unpaid volunteers serving on the RB Community Council who have taken on the “job” of tackling the issues that affect our quality of life here in Rancho Bernardo.

Sue Wahl,

No room here for racism

It has come to my attention that racism is alive and well in this area.

I have some friends from Asia who own a home in Poway. For several years they have been subjected to racial slurs from their white neighbors across the street. These slurs are yelled at them when they arrive or leave their home. Because my friends are nice people they have taken this treatment for far too long.

I love Poway, and it breaks my heart that such ignorant behavior is allowed to take place here. We are a multicultural community, and we need to be aware of this and stand up for our neighbors.

Nancy Higbie,

Mello-Roos oversight needed

I appreciate Poway Unified School District Trustee Kimberley Beatty’s sincere interest in the possible misuse of Mello-Roos funds within the PUSD (Aug. 22).

Maybe an advisory committee should be created within each of the Community Facilities Districts to help monitor the use of the funds. People with a vested interest will always care more about how “their” money is spent. If there is an excess, that should be used to pay off the Mello-Roos bonds early.

John Ramirez,

Government shouldn’t dictate pay

I’d like to respond to Bob Emery’s Aug. 22 column.

I’ve worked in the construction industry in Southern California on both private and public jobs, (including prevailing wage), for the past 27 years. During this period, I have progressed from laborer to superintendent to project manager.

One of many arguments I have is “one of the best descriptions” he quotes from Sacramento Councilmember Sandy Sheedy regarding the vulnerability to “fly-by-night” operators. Public bids are awarded to the lowest competent bidder. If Ms. Sheedy has experienced fly-by-night contractors being awarded contracts, the city did not do their due diligence.

My employer, a private contractor, has been awarded public contracts. Private rate wages versus prevailing rate wages do not make a worker any better at his craft. In fact, what incentive is there for the “hard-working, show-up-early prepared-to-work” man to perform any better than the one doing the bare minimum to collect his check? It’s an injustice being required to pay the lowest producer the same wage as the top performer.

A living wage is earned by dedication, hard work and integrity; not by a government entity dictating what I have to pay. We seem to have lost the whole concept we are not entitled to more than we have earned.

Doug Maher,