No financial incentive to save water

I just read the article about Rainbow Water wanting to raise the sewer rates, again ("Rainbow board to consider delaying sewer rate hike," June 23). It wasn't that long ago that they raised them. The flat rate sewer fee is the single biggest reason I don't try to conserve water anymore.

About nine months ago I pulled the grass and sprinklers out of my backyard to do a desert-type landscape, thinking that would save on my water bill. Was I very wrong! It has saved me all of a few bucks a month because the sewer rate is a flat rate per month. I can go away on vacation for a month, use no water and my bill would still be over $90 a month for sewer and other fees. The actual water usage cost me about $24 last month, but the total bill was $116. …

By comparison, my bill in August 2005 was about $138 (adjusted to today's rates). That was with a lawn front and back and having another teen in the house. I used almost double the water in August 2005 than I did last month, but my bill was only $22 more that month. To me, that just doesn't make sense.

The sewer rate needs to be based on water usage, not a flat rate. … …

Ken McMahen

Fallbrook

Who is greedier, oil or government?

Kyle Costanza (Letters, June 18), Rincon Middle School student, writes, "Gas prices are outrageous." I agree, but here are some things Kyle should know. Oil companies make billions of dollars in profits, but they do it with a profit of .08 cents per gallon. Government profits at 50 cents per gallon with taxes on each gallon. Who do you think is greedy, oil or government?

Also, California has always produced enough oil and gas to meet the state's needs, but that oil is now shipped out of state, refined into gasoline and shipped back to California because the California Legislature has made it impossible to refine enough gas here.

A government mandate requiring a 5 percent reduction of the purchase of foreign oil and a 5 percent annual increase in the production of domestic oil would not cause any significant increase in air pollution and would bring prices down, create jobs and would result in us no longer giving money to foreign governments that sponsor radical Islam.

A corresponding bonus of $100 million to the first person or company that produces a working hydrogen fuel cell for cars is also necessary. I am glad that Kyle Costanza took the time to write his letter.

Jim Welker

Fallbrook

This little piggy went to market

San Diego County Fair. Fair, but only for some. Record crowds enjoying concessions, the food, the carnival atmosphere. Great fun for everyone. That is, great fun for humans. Other animals don't fare so well.

Factory farming is another thing, but I think it's cruel and unconscionable to raise animals, many as pets, perhaps by children for 4-H. They learn to love and trust, only to be suddenly dragged to the fair, to be put on display to the public and then sold to slaughter. It's like killing the family dog. These poor animals are stuck in tiny pens, poked and prodded, in a strange environment, surrounded by loud and frightening noises. Their last days are filled with fear. No joyous Independence Day for them. The fireworks celebration is terrifying for most animals.

At the end of their stay, they are pushed with cattle prods into trailers and transported to slaughterhouses, where their throats are cut and they bleed to death. The final job seems apparent. How much money can be made on the suffering and deaths of these animals?

"Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight," Albert Schweitzer. Go vegan; it's healthy.

Shirley Cameron

Oceanside

Faculty does not share in blame

In regard to "Palm-gate finally closes" (Editorial, June 22): … There is no irony in the faculty's professionalism throughout this ordeal. They began with communicating to the president and the board in June 2006 about their responsibility to follow the college's Policies and Procedures, the California Education Code and California legislative law (AB 1725).

When this was ignored, they rationally and professionally spoke to the board during public commentary and the senate president's allotted time at every board meeting. It was only when the faculty and staff were disdained and dismissed that they realized the board and the president were serving themselves rather than the institution.

A declaration of no confidence vote was an understatement. The faculty's and staff's professionalism throughout this year is the only shining light during this dark era of the college. Students were always protected from the ugliness as people tried to save the college.

The editor's statements "The trustees share some blame, too" and "Finally, Richart herself can scarcely be absolved of culpability" are the most ridiculously phrased comments in this piece. …

Ann Carli

Carlsbad

NCT no longer a 'news'-paper

Enough is enough. I have had it. When the North County Times started up a few years ago, I enthusiastically believed, "Ah! At last an alternative to the biased SD Union." Alas, your paper has become infected with the same liberal bias that is passed off as news by you and the other so-called mainstream media publications. With so many other outlets for news, not liberal propaganda, you're no longer relevant or needed.

So I am hereby canceling my subscription, effective immediately. Unless you change to objective reporting, placement and inclusion of stories, and rid yourself of The New York Times and AP, you will go the way of the L.A. Times and other dinosaurs. If and when you someday decide to become truly a "news"-paper, then you may regain my business.

Kenneth Stahl

Cardiff

Just say no to more of the same

Please, just say no to the culture of corruption. Remember the Republican culture of corruption? The revolving door of Republican politicians moving in and out of top political offices and Washington D.C., lobbying firms? That's Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. For years, acting wasn't the "Law & Order" star's profession ññ it was a hobby.

In the real world, Thompson has made a fortune in a decades-long career as a Washington lobbyist. And just this month, as part of his role as the ultimate Washington insider, Thompson offered to host yet another fundraising event for Scooter Libby's legal defense fund. Thompson has been vocal in his support of Libby, saying that he would "absolutely" pardon him.

As he runs for president he'll try his hardest to hide the truth from the American people. Don't you think America has had enough of more of the same that has caused us a shipwreck over the past six and a half years? Just say no to more of the same!

Michael Gash

Oceanside

Excuse me!

The city of Escondido is politely requesting residents to cut back on water usage. OK! Then why in heaven's name was the Eureka Springs development's landscaping scene approved? It is humongous and will require more water in one month than we will use in one year.

If the city wants to conserve water, then please do something to correct this horrific water waste. Please, city, try to do your part to conserve.

Cherie Johnson

Escondido

Quick response by paramedics saved husband

Kudos to the Encinitas paramedics. On May 5, early a.m., my husband called to me that he was feeling odd. I ran upstairs and he was pale, shaking and I couldn't count his pulse because it was so rapid and erratic. I immediately called 911 and said I thought my husband was having a heart attack.

I barely had time to get downstairs and unlock the door when they arrived. The paramedic gave my husband an injection and started an IV; by this time more help had arrived. He was carried downstairs, put on a gurney and rushed to Scripps Hospital's ER.

Thanks to the rapid response of the 911 call and the paramedics, my husband is home and recuperating in a timely manner. He had severe atrial fibrillation and could have had a stroke or expired without our great Encinitas paramedics' quick response. We are eternally grateful to them.

Laverne Jones

Encinitas

It is now time for citizens, not special interests

It has been that quality was necessary for the success of any endeavor or product, but the worship of the bottom line [has changed that], turning this country into the cheapest and downgrading this nation into Third World status requiring slave labor. Instead of people paying high wages for the production of wealth, and being proud of it, to ensure the best quality possible, we are filling our landfills with junk and destroying our nation.

We no longer have the best health care; [it is now] dominated by pharmacology companies instead of doctors, who [at one time] would help patients, not with drugs, but with the wonderful self-healing body, without the contaminated water, soil and air that sends us down the slippery slope into oblivion. We all demand honest, open government, an end to party self-interest politicians replaced by statesmen, nonrepresentative officeholders. It now is the time for the citizens. Vote what is good for the nation, not special interest.

Let your views be known. If we don't, we are going to lose our country.

Douglas Spencer

Vista

One Bush error after another

I refer to the Frank Wilkes June 20 letter "Democrats promised to lower gas prices and end the Iraq war." From what I read at one station, the price was $3.34 and now $3.05. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has hit the gas warlords hard, and is also going after the state officials to release the millions of dollars approved to save our California shores and beaches. Wilkes says Pelosi has failed in her promises. It's a matter of opinion, for when I saw the president's father cry at the podium, I felt very sorry. But his son, President Bush, misinformed the Congress and the general public about the missiles, etc. From there on, it's been one error after another.

Colin Powell resigned, and many of our top generals are complaining. … The Democrats are trying to save lives from this war as well as billions of dollars. Now that we see presidential hopefuls running for office, we see the Republican candidates furthering their campaigns away from President Bush's policies, except for two, who are Sen. McCain of Arizona and Congressman Duncan Hunter. Both men are highly respected, but, due to their stringing along to Bush's policies, they have no way of winning. You watch and see. No need to go into all the errors.

Max Mazzetti

Valley Center

We are always behind the 8 ball

Are you familiar with table pool? It's a fun game. Sometimes it can be very profitable. Illegal as all get out, but I've seen as much as $300 wagered on one shot. Not me. I can control that, or you call me chicken.

I'm not afraid to make a wager, like a beer, loser buys. In this game, you've got some players who are fair, good and then you have pool sharks. They know they can beat you, even if you're a fair pool shooter. The object of the game is easy. Put the object balls in the pocket and then make the 8 ball and you win. After the break, you have either the solid or small balls or the stripe or big balls.

You know, this game is starting to remind me of the oil producers and our legislators. I feel like the little ball that has been knocked into the pocket and our legislators are also in their pocket. A game of 8 ball is fun, less you be playing with a pool shark. Wanna shoot 8 ball with the oil companies? Go ahead, but you will always be behind the 8 ball.

Robert Martinez

Vista

It is later than you think

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal President Bush's plan to merge the U.S., Canada and Mexico by erasing borders, replacing currencies with the amero, unlimited migration among the countries and making the U.S. Constitution meaningless.

The CFR [Council on Foreign Relations], the propaganda arm of the Bilderberg Group, has set a goal of the year 2010 to establish this new country. The Web site describes the project as permanent, yet the U.S. Congress has never been asked about it. I always thought that agreements among countries are treaties that must be ratified by Congress. Perhaps this is the reason George II has not enforced our present immigration laws and won't build the fence. He's already been bought and paid for ññ now he's ready to deliver. … It is later than you think!

Jack Fulton

Escondido

Corn is no panacea for gasoline

I am puzzled by the hoopla over ethanol, a fuel promoted by many intelligent people, yet no one seems to mention that producing a gallon of ethanol requires about a gallon of petroleum. So what's the gain?

Corn farming requires immense amounts of fuel ññ diesel or gasoline ññ and additional fuel is needed to convert corn into ethanol, not to mention fuel needed to transport corn to processing sites and to transport ethanol to distribution stations. Besides, a growing problem is the rising price of corn, with a domino effect of rising prices for foods made from corn; moreover, corn used to produce ethanol reduces the supply of corn as a food in the world already suffering from inadequate supplies of food.

Most important, however, is that petroleum required to produce ethanol in no way reduces dependency on politically unstable regions from where we obtain our imported petroleum.

Thoque "Took" Blas

Carlsbad

Politics be damned!

If the U.S.Congress cannot agree on anything else, please secure the borders now. This is a national security emergency and must be acted upon immediately. Our elected officials are failing to protect us. Debate a comprehensive immigration bill after you secure our borders. Stop the bleeding without any further delay, please. Our security is in jeopardy.

Howard Sharpell

San Marcos

Slowing down the best way to save gas

The cost of gasoline is based on the law of supply and demand. It's manipulated by forces much larger than any of us. The quickest way to bring down the price of gasoline is to increase the supply. In California, we can increase the supply of gasoline by simply driving slower. I drive the posted speed limit. Cars, pickup trucks, even big rigs fly by me like I'm standing still.

If everyone would leave for their destinations 10 minutes sooner they would not need to rush. The governor could change the speeding habits of California. All he would have to do is simply order the director of the Highway Patrol to issue a new directive to every officer to start writing tickets to everyone driving over the posted speed limit.

Everyone would soon get the message. People will slow down, less gas will be burnt up, the supply of gasoline goes up, its cost goes down.

Second, every city in California has the option to lower the speed limit on the freeway through their city limits to 65 miles an hour. If every city would do this, millions of gallons of gasoline would not be burnt. Check out www.fueleconomy.gov.

Lead the way, Mr. Terminator, and do all of us common folks a favor. Order the Highway Patrol to terminate the speeders on our highways. Think of our safety, and your stated commitment to fight global warming. Stand up to the speeders and reckless drivers who terrorize our streets and highways.

Michael H. Flinn

Lake Elsinore

Bike lane at school would be unsafe

This letter is in response to Karrie Carlson's June 20 letter concerning a bike lane in front of Temecula Middle School. It really surprises me when a grown person has no insight on a problem.

She talks about parents driving their lazy children to school. She should get off her high horse; most children live entirely way too far from school to be able to walk. And if they did, most would end up being late all the time. Plus, with the way children are being attacked all the time walking to and from school, most parents would not let their children walk anyway.

Now, as far as parents driving their children to school, well let's see: If the federal and the state government would quit cutting funds to schools, maybe the school district would bring back the buses, and this would get most parents off the street.

You know there is a driveway into the school - one way in and one way out. I can see it now, a child riding his or her bike gets hit by a car. Why? Because a parent who is in a hurry was not doing the 25 mph in a school zone, or the child thinks they can ride anywhere and not obey the law of the road, like stopping at all stop signs, and will run in front of a car.

No on the bike lane - too many cars, and too young of children to be riding out there.

If a child is to ride a bike to school, fine, provide a different entrance to the school for them, and keep them away from the cars.

Patrick Miller

Temecula

Riding bikes to school no longer safe

I oppose the bike lane in front of Temecula Middle School up Meadows Parkway. I didn't care one way or the other until I read a letter in the paper in which a lady called me lazy and my kids overweight because I drive them to school.

I started thinking, this bike lane will put kids in the road next to a 45 mph speed zone. The speed limit is 25 mph at the school only. Now they travel safely on the sidewalk. They travel with the pedestrians and stop at the crosswalk and cross safely with the monitor stopping all traffic first. If they are in a bike lane they cross on their own with the cars.

I think the lady who is for the bike lane is thinking more about herself than the safety of the children. I drive my children to school for safety reasons. There are several convicted child molesters in the area, one lives about a block from Meadows Parkway. I am sure these people served their time and are fully rehabilitated. I just feel better and safer taking my kids to school.

My child's backpack weighs almost as much as he does and, after school, when the temperature is in the 90s, he appreciates the ride. For the record, I served 20 years in the U.S. Navy and one year in Iraq as a civilian. I'm not lazy. My kids have been in martial arts for nearly two years and are very active. They are not overweight. If you oppose the bike lane, do what I did. Call the Temecula City Council at 694-6444.

John Aclin

Temecula

Fresh from the Web

North County farmers bracing for water cutbacks

Readers respond to our June 26 story about farmers across North County and their water suppliers saying they are beginning to prepare for water cutbacks this coming winter, in what one water official said could be the beginning of a "long-term shift" in North County's water resources.

'Smelt' love

Lester : "The water supply to food stuff should be cut less than that to decorative plants such as flowers and shade trees. As far as I am concerned the watering of palm trees could be discontinued all together. At present the water from the Delta is being cut because of a delta fish. Now here is a case for the U.S. Supreme Court. If it goes that far I will hold my breath and pray that none of the justices are lovers of the Delta Smelt - and I don't mean smelt on the plate, and plate on the table, and smelt under knife and fork kind of love."

Turn off the tap

rocco: "This is not fair. Urbanization expands and lawns remain green but the economic engine of agriculture is getting shut down. Great idea. Someone better tell the developers that we ran out of water."

Speak for us

Enough already: "When is the average working, voting person going to stand up to the environmental whackos who put everything they can ahead of the betterment of mankind. This is nuts. We are worried about terrorists from other countries? In case you haven't noticed, between the environmental-nuts and the ACLU, common sense is being attacked on every front. Nobody elected these guys. It is time to force our elected representatives to say enough is enough."

Import food

ag's my bag: " … and you can bet we as a nation will be dependant on Third World countries for our food due to decisions like this one! Good luck to us all."

Grocery workers open door to strike

Readers respond to our June 26 story about a weekend strike authorization vote by grocery workers possibly leading to a replay of a lengthy 2003 strike-lockout that forced shoppers to cross picket lines or find nonunion markets.

Not again

John: "Lets see, last time they did this it was a lose-lose situation, except for us consumers. Employees were friendlier, service was better. Heck, people at the local Ralph's still have their faces hanging. Wondering why this stupidity is happening again."

United with union

I will support the Strike: "No need to worry, Stater Bro. is a union store that respects its employees. I will be shopping there even though it is out of my way and the traffic is horrendous."

Hard lesson

Never Learn: "The grocery union is playing with fire. Last time, their members were unemployed for over four months. Last time there was sufficient equity in homes to draw from to help their members survive the ordeal. This time, the real estate market is down and the members are still stinging from their last battle, which they lost. Hopefully, the union will be busted this time around."

Past expiration

Concerned-1: "A strike is bad all the way around. I do believe in an honest day's pay for an honest day's work, but I do not believe in entitlement. I'd love to be secure in my job, that's why I show up everyday on time and put in my eight to ten. The strike will hurt everyone but the union bosses. In my opinion, unions have no place today in American business."

Toll-roads could be coming for car-pool lanes on freeway ramps

Readers respond to our June 26 story about how regional transportation officials may let single drivers buy their way onto special lanes of freeway on-ramps that allow car pools to move ahead of other traffic.

Selling out

Chad: "Centre City Parkway is already a lesson in frustration in the morning - imagine what it will be like after it's turned into a quasi-car-pool lane for commuters wanting to avoid the I-15? It's just another case of government selling public property to the highest bidders."

Pay twice?

Common Sense: "Let me get this straight - last week a report came out that less people are using the HOV lanes, and now we should pay not only our Transnet taxes to build these HOV lanes, but pay a second time to actually use them. We need to write our government and stop this approach now!"

Pen's ready

George: "With all of these new tolls, fees, and other taxes being developed, we should be able to immediately retire the TransNet tax and the gasoline taxes completely! Who's got the petition? I'm ready to sign! (And if you've got another petition to disband SANDAG, I'll sign that one, too!)"

Let us in

A simple idea: "Want to reduce traffic? Open up the car-pool lanes to everyone. This will add instant capacity to the freeway reducing traffic across the board. And the lanes are already paid for!"

Officer fires at suspect outside Kmart; Police say man tried to run over officer after escaping arrest

Readers commented on an article Tuesday detailing an attempt to arrest a fraud suspect, during which a Temecula police officer fired a shot that possibly hit the suspect's vehicle. The city contracts for law enforcement services with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department:

More on the way

Gary in Winchester: Good job, TPD. With all the parolees out here now and gang members being transplanted here, we will see a lot more of these types of incidents. God bless and stay safe.

The one that got away

Mark: How did the guy get away after crashing his SUV into the patrol car? Nice work, Temecula PD.

Too bad

Great Job: Great Job Temecula PD/RCSD for locating the suspect's vehicle and attempting to arrest the suspect. … I hope the deputy is OK and will return to the streets he/she protects soon!

Not like it used to be

Mom: I am so saddened by what is taking place in Temecula on a now daily basis. … I'm thankful that the police officer wasn't hurt. I'm scared for my children to be in the wrong place at the wrong time in Temecula. Used to be such a beautiful quiet town, guess that nothing stays the same. Thank you again, Temecula PD. …

Deadly force

TK: … Ironically just this morning on the news I heard where there have actually been more police shootings in Riverside Co. than there have been in L.A. Co. … Now for the opinion part, I am glad the police in Riverside Co. don't have their hands tied by policies and are able to use deadly force when they deem (it) necessary.