Jun 26, 2008

Letters

Salt ponds

Dear Editor: The Redwood City salt ponds, now owned by Cargill, have been in private hands and used for salt production by different owners for over a century. It is time to restore these Bay lands to their former habitat.

Cargill profited handsomely from its 2003 sale to the public of other salt ponds all around the Bay, from Napa County to Alviso, at a grossly overinflated price. We the taxpayers assumed the cost of the $243 million paid to Cargill following appraisals kept secret from the public and later determined to be fraudulently inflated. Now Cargill should compensate the public by turning over the Redwood City land to the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for restoration.

Pat Walker,

Menlo Park



Bodybuilder's suit

Dear Editor: Here we go again. In the article titled, "Bodybuilder files federal suit," Saturday in the Daily News, diabetic bodybuilder Doug Burns continues to shirk responsibility for his own actions and medical condition. He is now trying to get money by filing his lawsuit in federal court. Maybe Burns and his attorney knew that since their lawsuit against the city of Redwood City was denied, and that their lawsuit in state Court was also going to have a rough time, the only venue left was federal court.

Burns, who has had Type 1 diabetes for 35 years, frequently spoke as a health and fitness expert at medical conferences. But, on the night of his arrest, Burns didn't wear his 24-hour insulin pump as he was transitioning (changing to) a new medication. Burns also forgot to bring a piece of candy in case he needed it.

Burns has the necessary knowledge and experience to manage his condition based on his position as a board member of the American Diabetes Association, his continuous training and competition as "Mr. Natural Universe" and his status as an "expert" speaker.

Burns now wants to blame the Redwood City Police for his irresponsibility. Burns made money by advising other people on how to manage their diabetic conditions, but, in this case, he failed to follow his own advice.

Burns had made money off his medical (diabetic) condition and now, he wants to make money off his failure to take responsibility for his actions.

I, too, am a diabetic (Type 2), and I have had to learn to live with my limitations and the conditions of my own medical condition. I don't represent myself as an expert. I just try to live day to day, by following the advice of the American Diabetes Association and my own doctor.

Maybe Burns should try to learn a valuable lesson. Burns made a mistake.

Michael R. Oberg,

San Mateo



Library noise

Dear Editor: As a frequent library patron and concerned taxpayer, I applaud the cell phone use (actually the "don't use") policy at the Burlingame Library. For those interested in reading, thinking, concentrating or using the library materials in peace and quiet, the Burlingame Library is the place for you. Unlike the Millbrae Library, which actually permits cell phone usage, the Burlingame Library is quite unambiguous in its approach - no cell phones.

Now, if only the Millbrae Library could adopt this civilized approach, I might not be opposed to its continued funding. As it stands now, our tax dollars are spent to appease those who are content to make whatever noise is appropriate for them, without consideration of others. The Millbrae Library staff is well aware of the problem but simply does not have the courage to do what is necessary to create a decent atmosphere. Now, on the other hand, if they were to compete with Starbucks, they would be well on their way.

Ethan Jones,

San Bruno


Fuel economy

Dear Editor: The federal government won't let the state of California set its own emission standards, so what? Is that the only option? Can't we think of anything else to do? What are we paying the people in government for? There are other options like reducing the weight of cars and paying incentives for lighter vehicles. God forbid we tax heavier vehicles that cause more damage to roads and push state budgets into the red. Bush and Cheney keep saying "This is America, we don't conserve." Well, keep building 5,000-pound vehicles and mileage will suffer, the environment will suffer, the budget deficit will increase, blah, blah, blah. I'm not an engineer, but in 1988, I was able to build a 400-pound car powered by a Honda scooter motor that gets about 100 miles per gallon. I did this in my garage out of pocket change. This is America, land of the free, so let's start free thinking and solve the problem. Buy lighter-weight cars to get better mileage. Mitt Romney said if elected president, he would not impose higher [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] standards. I have news for you: The free market will do it for you. Ask GM and Ford why Toyota is kicking their butts. We need leaders that are not part of the problem but part of the solution.

Jan Krieg,

Palo Alto


Kudos to hospital

Dear Editor: We all know how bad our health care system is and that local hospitals do not work for the community, right? Does Sequoia Hospital work for you?

I would like to tell you about a recent experience I had at Sequoia Hospital. I am a soon-to-be 47-year-old, divorced, self-employed male. Like many others, I have expensive and useless medical insurance with a $4,000 deductible that I pay $200-plus a month for. I was driving down Highway 101 and suffered a huge pain in my back. I called 911 and was transported to Sequoia Hospital, where I was diagnosed with a tumor in my kidney. On June 17, the kidney was removed by Dr. Chris Threatt. I was out of the hospital in less then four days and home recuperating.

I found everyone at Sequoia extremely helpful and professional, whether they were a doctor, nurse, administrator, housekeeper or volunteer. All were pleasant and had me in mind at all times. If I got out of bed, it was changed; if I used the bathroom, it was cleaned; if I needed anything, I got it; and if I had a question, it was answered. Everyone was pleasant and the place was immaculately clean. I am totally impressed.

Does the health care system work? Are local hospitals working? You bet.

Thanks you to Redwood City Fire Department, American Medical Response and all the people at Sequoia Hospital.

Bob Gutgsell,

San Carlos



Retail theft

Dear Editor: I read that crime rings cost California retailers and shoppers $5 billion a year. What can the public do to help stop this?

I would be happy to help in any way that I could. For example, I would buy some of these "heavily discounted" products at the flea market and take them to authorities if someone would be willing to take their bar code numbers and trace the products to a source of thieves. But who could I take these to? Is there any agency that would be willing to follow up? Both my son and I have tried numerous times, in different parts of the country, to report examples of "credit card" fraud when it seems obvious to trace it to the perpetrators; but none of the credit card companies/banks or police or other government agencies have been willing to try to investigate. The response that we generally get is that we should not care as long as we are not personally losing any money; i.e., the credit covers our losses. It isn't worth it to them to bother with.

If there is any agency that would respond to our reporting of any consumer theft crimes and would tell us what to look for, many of us would try help in any way that might be productive.

Joan Abrams,

Menlo Park



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