Published February 27th, 2013
Letters to the Editor
Editor:

I am sorry to hear about Maura and Ellen's experience on the trails. Before everyone panics, I have to say, there are leash laws on these trails. We are lucky to live in an area with so much free space and wild life. We are fortunate to have trails open for us and our pets to enjoy. The leash laws are put in place for our protection as well as the protection of the environment. I run these trails with my dog, on leash, on a regular basis. I frequently cross paths with coyotes, deer, wild boar, cows, horses you name it....I have never had an aggressive experience with any of them. I can only assume they don't see my dog as natural prey because she is attached to me on leash, please follow the rules. I would hate for the trails to become a "no dog" space because people aren't following the guidelines.
Quinn Silberman
Moraga

Editor:

Horrible traffic and parking problems in Orinda may be the consequences of the city's officials ignoring the law.
On January 25 in Orinda, ground-breaking took place for a 67-unit senior citizens' apartment complex to be built in the heart of downtown. (Lamorinda Weekly, Jan. 30). The Orinda facility, to be completed in two years, will have room for about 30 residential parking spaces.
The project, which is located at 2 Irwin Way (across the street from the Orinda Safeway), is likely to add to Orinda's parking and traffic woes.
The Orinda project is to be constructed by Eden Housing of Hayward, California.
Orinda's officials may not be aware of the contents a ballot measure -- Measure J of 2004 -- that imposed controls over the management of housing growth.
In a June 8, 2007, document sent to the planning directors of Contra Costa County, Martin Engelmann, at the time the Deputy Executive Director of Planning of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, noted that Measure J ". . . provides a process for managing growth."
The document added that "the [Contra Costa Transportation] Authority shall, to the extent possible, attempt to harmonize the Growth Management and Congestion Management Programs. To the extent they [growth management and congestion management programs] conflict, Congestion Management Program activities shall take precedence over Growth Management Program activities."
Orinda residents have to wonder if their city's officials ignored -- and perhaps violated -- Measure J's rule that congestion management has a higher priority than growth management.
Ignoring the provisions of a ballot measure that is law can be a serious offense.
Richard S. Colman
Orinda

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