Letters to the Editor: May 8, 2009

Help protect SLR watershed

Over the past five years we have seen the drought on the Colorado River continue into its ninth year, the collapse of the Bay Delta water delivery system reducing supplies from that source by 70 percent, drought in the Sierras, our major reservoirs almost dry, quagga mussel invasions of our federal and state storage systems and now a Level 2 mandatory drought water cutback.

Climate change is underway and every drop of water is of critical importance to the County Water Authority in completing its mission of providing a safe and reliable supply to … San Diego County.

Local groundwater resources and watersheds have become more important than ever before. Now we are faced with the possibility that a landfill dump will be built directly upon the San Luis Rey River watershed. … Gregory Canyon Landfill, if approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board on Aug. 12, could become a future superfund cleanup project and an unwanted legacy for all to endure.

We must not let this happen.

Hershell Price

Del Mar

Desalination a viable option

California’s economy, environment and way of life are highly dependent on a reliable water supply. Water is the single most important chemical compound for the preservation of human life and is one of the key powers to the creation of wealth.

It creates jobs, attracts industries and investments, and provides for the health and welfare of citizens. Water provided in nature for man’s use is not infinite and is never destroyed. …

Securing the desalination process for a water supply and to lower monthly water bills is controlled by water managers.

If you wish to lower water bills ask your water managers to investigate desalination. The process that will not produce salt brine placed back into the environment, a process that will not require high energy, a process that will reduce the cost of your water. … Unless the customer demands a solution to the water shortage little will be done. .... With all the water available from the sea, man should not be deprived.

Frank Passarelli

Water Desalination International Inc.

Los Angeles

Public library should rethink its textbook policy

by Jo Ann Frabetti

After relocating from New York to San Diego due to my husband’s acceptance at UCSD, I spent many months trying to find a job. During that time, I took classes in programming at San Diego Community College District and UCSD Extension in order to improve my marketability.

As the cost of everything adds up (rent, tuition, books), I made as much use of the public library as I could. Unfortunately, more often than not, the library did not stock the textbooks used in classes offered in this city. (Libraries that did charged for library cards).

I wrote to library staff requesting the books be purchased, but I was always informed the books were too expensive. The price quoted was always extremely high, especially compared to the “New” or “Like New” listings on Amazon (I have e-mail and “screenshot” evidence of this).

I was also informed by several library employees (I have names and e-mail addresses) and by the library director, Deborah Barrow, that it was NOT efficient for the library to purchase used books. Perhaps at one time this may have been true, but it is time that the library reviews this policy.

There is not a single one of us who has not purchased a “used” book from Amazon and been completely satisfied with it.

Deborah states that it would cost her employees more effort to keep track of books that would be in unacceptable condition than it would save money for the city and the taxpayers.

I find this hard to believe.

For example, I requested “Javascript; The Complete Reference” written by the teacher of the class, Thomas Powell, also a successful local businessman (www.pint.com), and was told that the book cost $99. On Amazon in “New” condition, it was $12. A library card at UCSD for Extension students costs $15 for three months.

I have contacted my council member, Sherri Lightner, and Mayor Sanders who informed me that they will bring this up in the next budget meeting and that my getting other community members to support this would be useful.

Many books may be found online, but not in their entirety. The library should do a better job at keeping current books and being a useful community resource--there is this new thing called “the Internet” that might assist them with their efforts.

Jo Ann Frabetti lives near UCSD.