Editor:
I am so saddened by the state of the Rheem Shopping Center. I don't even think it warrants the title "Shopping Center" anymore since there are so few places to shop! I don't know if you have ever done a story on this Kimco Realty group, but I would sure love to see one. I don't really keep up-to-date with council meetings, etc., but I'm also wondering what has been tried, etc. Is there any way to get these people out of here? They seem heck-bent on emptying every store.
Someone once suggested to me that Kimco makes more money reporting a loss for the empty stores -- can this be true? They must only also allow the thrift store drop off and art gallery to operate because it must give them some sort of write-off as well.
That whole stretch now from what was our wonderful ice cream store - to the tanning store -- Blockbuster, etc.etc.etc. It's just AWFUL. Is there ANYTHING we can do? I have lived in Moraga for about 8 1/2 years and have seen an incredible number of stores try and fail.
My question is, is there any way to rid ourselves of Kimco? What is the Town doing about this? Anything?
I'm sure I'm not the only resident who is curious. This can't be doing anything for our town's appearance, property values, etc. It's a disgrace.
Thanks.
Jari Hazard
Moraga
To the Editor:
I find the article regarding the newly installed Mayor of Moraga Ken Chew to be vastly inconsistent from his public behavior. Of particular note is Mr. Chew's goal that he wants constituents to provide feedback regarding the public policy process.
In February 2009, I spoke at public comment regarding the impending contract of the current Town Manager Michael Segrest. The main point of my comments, based upon my experience while on the Moraga School Board, was that the public was specifically excluded for the selection process. As your readers are probably aware, I ran and lost for a seat on the Moraga Town Council (MTC) in November 2008. However, given my involvement in various public policy issues affecting Moraga, I was totally unaware of that interviews were being conducted for this position. This was, in spite, of numerous conversations I had with then-interim Town Manager Jay Tashiro during the summer and fall of 2008. Nonetheless, I felt compelled to voice my opposition to the selection of Mr. Segrest to this position based on his professional experience as well as municipal finance considerations. However, given the posture and comments of the members of the MTC which included Mr. Chew, it was clear to me that any dissenting opinion was the last thing that the MTC cared to listen to. It was very apparent that public comment, with respect to this public policy issue was a mere formality, or should I say, nuisance required by the Brown Act.
I strongly suggest that the current members of the MTC, including Mr. Chew, seek out and include diverse viewpoints and opinions in our community. I think that they will find that there are many in our community who feel their voices are being ignored, and perhaps even muffled by the cacophony of voices from the cadre of seemingly blindly loyal MTC supporters. I kinda remember that old children's tale about the emperor new clothes. The MTC, including Mr. Chew, would be well served to remember that tale when they listen to those same voices who praised the emperor for his wonderful, yet non-existent, wardrobe.
Dennis Wanken
Moraga
Dear Lamorinda Weekly:
I love your paper and the great job that your organization does it keeping us connected in our small communities.
I live in Moraga at the mid section of Ascot Drive over-looking the Rheem Park shopping center. It is quite a nice view and I often have all my windows open to view the hills, cows, turkeys and deer that frequent the area.
Recently a family moved into the next building and they let their dog roam between the two buildings, go down the hill a bit and take care of business....However it is right where my back viewing deck is. Right away if windows are open you can smell it, my company can smell it, my neighbors can smell it and we retreat inside and close the windows. It is such a bummer. We have several pet owners here and they have never allowed this. They take their animals for well deserved walks and pick up the poop.
What can I do to get the quality back from my view and opening up the windows and hopefully before the seasons change and it gets hot again?
I have checked for ordinances and I can only find the off leash ordinances at the parks and some other places around the Lamorinda area, but is there anything I can do to ask the neighbors to not let "sparky" poop in the hill below my home?
Thank you,
Ginger Misuraca
Moraga (Editor's note: We investigated, hoping to answer this reader's question. Contra Costa County has an ordinance that requires dog-owners to pick up after their pets. Ordinance 416-12-204 can be viewed at http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/index.aspx?NID=1211.
The cognizant office is Animal Services, 925-335-8300.)
Dear Editor,
It is hard enough to see every one of our local school districts in the area announce their significant budget deficits for the coming school year, but to have it as a result of a Governor's proposed budget, where he has claimed that he has "protected" education seems very deceptive!
In fact, according to the California State PTA, the Governor's budget proposal will reduce funding to schools over the next two years by $2.4 billion. California's per student funding is among the very lowest in the nation. Our schools need our support, both in volunteer time, and financially. Our students are our future, we all need to do what we can to support our local schools, especially in these tough economic times.
Sarah Butler
Orinda
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA