Letters to the editor: Sign of respect, cutting choir, Estates election, fulfilling a dream

A sign of honor, respect and community support

I attended the Graciela Bustos funeral on Friday. As I drove down E Street toward the Catholic church, I saw the Ramona Disposal Service trucks parked on both sides of the street, with the employees standing at attention beside their trucks.

What a great sign of honor, respect and community support. It gave me chills to see Mr. Bustos’ fellow employers there to support him and his family.

Thank you and please pass on my thanks and gratitude to your staff.

This is why my parents (35 years ago) and why I chose Ramona as a place to live and raise a family.

Mike Jordan II

RamonaEditor’s note: Graciela Bustos died from injuries suffered in a head-on collision on Wildcat Canyon Road on March 15. Her husband Jose is a Ramona Disposal Service employee.Shocked to learn of plans to cut choirI am a Ramona High School alumnus and I am shocked at the school board’s decision to cut the choir program.The RHS choir program was a huge inspiration in my life and has led me to where I am today. I am currently singing with the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music choirs, and I have recently returned from singing abroad in Russia with the St. Petersburg State University Choir.While attending RHS I completed many summer choir programs including singing in Carnegie Hall in New York and with the Westminster Choir college in New Jersey. None of this could have happened if it weren’t for the experience and education of the RHS choir program.The lack of community support for music is deeply disappointing, and I hope that the Sentinel can draw some attention to what I consider a crisis in our high school.While I currently do not reside in Ramona, I feel a deep attachment to my home community and I am devastated that younger generations will not have the opportunities and the education I had.

Skye Savage

Denver, Colo.Concert fulfills founder’s dreamRamona Concert Association’s concert on Saturday, March 8, was a big success. We presented the Ramona High School Symphonic Band and Jazz Bands to the community for our fourth time. What a big blessing to all in attendance, about 300. This partnership between the high school music department led by director Daniel James has been a win-win for all of us.The professional musicianship of the students is so amazing. Attending their performances is like going to the San Diego Symphony. Their leader and teacher, Daniel James, has been such a treasure for the high school department.In his announcements he reported that these bands had won 15 awards this year and have gone to the highest level in band performance awards that they have done in 11 years. That is how long Mr. James has been the director. As I looked out over the packed performance hall, my heart was overwhelmed with joy to see such achievement for these students, the love and support from their parents and families, and the privilege our association has been afforded.I also thought back to the founder of the concert association and first principal of Olive Peirce Middle School, Charles Nunn. His dream was for the performing arts center to be able to bring good music and musicians to the children and students of the town of Ramona. For 29 years now, we have carried the torch he lit, and his dream has been fulfilled. Not only did this concert bring great music to the young people, it also was “produced” by the young people.

Marlene Robershaw

President, Ramona

Concert AssociationBest new member for Estates boardAs residents of the Country Estates for the past 28 years, we have grown to love our community more and more. We have known Stephanie Norvell even longer, over 35 years, and have a great deal of respect for her.We have seen Stephanie continually involved in the entire community for the past two decades, and as past chair of the chamber of commerce. Our relationships with her have been both professional with her business, as well as personal.Stephanie has always been a positive person, with a positive approach to every endeavor. Her ability to lift and inspire others has led to her many successes.With both her longtime residency, and local Ramona professional experience, she will bring a wealth of insight with her to the board. For anyone who knows Stephanie, she works extremely well in a group and is often the stabilizer. The assets she will bring to the board go far beyond the surface.As we move forward, there are many new challenges to face, and we feel extremely confident that her continued community involvement is the best untapped resource we could ask for. I urge you to look at those running this year and follow a true community leader. We are supporting Stephanie Norvell for the SDCE board of directors.

Rex and Terri Gammon

RamonaStephanie Norvell has what Estates needsI was very pleased to hear that Stephanie Norvell was running for a seat on the Board of Directors of San Diego Country Estates Association. I have known Stephanie for many years, but it wasn’t until 2011, when I hung my license in her office, that I discovered what an enterprising and savvy businesswoman she is.Stephanie operates four businesses and still has time for her family, her community and her many friends. Her strengths are her ability to organize, listen, comprehend difficult situations, mediate and make decisions, all the qualities we want in a board member.Stephanie has lived in SDCE since 1986 and is aware of the needs of the community from the very young to the retired. When Stephanie commits to something, you can be assured she will find the time necessary to do a good job. I urge you to vote for her on April 26.

Joan Gansert

RamonaEstates needs ‘fiscal ninja,’ business acumenTime to think about the most qualified San Diego Country Estates Association Board candidates. All five are good and each has a local history allowing us to review particular strengths:•Perry Jones is a “fiscal ninja.” That can aggravate me, especially when it’s my project’s “ox” he wants to gore. Having admitted that, I sleep better knowing Perry is paying attention. Thank you Perry, for stepping up again!•Jim Piva, incumbent, listens, advises, builds consensus and engenders a positive attitude when contention may otherwise prevail. A local business owner, youth activities supporter and Ramona planning group chair, Jim is well connected to the Ramona community and the machinations and interests of the county planners, administration and the supervisors. These strengths greatly benefit us homeowners and the future of our HOA. Let’s be sure Jim continues on our board.•Stephanie Norvell, 28-year Estates resident (plus children and grandchildren), has a strong motivation to serve. A successful local business owner, Stephanie supports many community activities and events including Chamber of Commerce past president, and co-founding the Ramona Murals Project (this is cool, eh?). Chatting with Stephanie, you come to know how bright, curious and committed to our community she is. Stephanie’s business acumen and willingness to get to the core of issues will serve us well.The next year will be one of big spending decisions impacting our HOA and dues for decades to come. Although we have limited outside resort income, it’s worth remembering our dues support the SDCEA. Sound business practice and fiscal responsibility are key in this election.Please join me in support of each of these volunteers. We need them.

Bill Fox

Ramona