Remembering Joe
Joe was a wonderful man [Joseph Ralph La Rosa obituary, Dec. 4, 2015]. As the executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association for nine years, I had the opportunity to work with Joe on many projects. He contributed so much to the revitalization of the business corridors and gave of his time freely. He will be missed!
Mary Coburn
[Website comment]
Food for thought
Thank you, Neena, for your uplifting column today about the stranger who paid for your food [Thoughts from the Publisher, Dec. 4, 2015]. Not only are we dealing with the tragedies of the day, but this is not always a joyous season for those around us. Not everyone has the money for the gifts and extras of the holidays. Many of us do not have family nearby. Many are haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past.
As we rush around trying to get everything done, your experience was a good reminder that doing even the smallest, easiest thing might be the act of kindness that is just what someone needs to pick up their spirits and renew their faith in the goodness that still exists, in spite of all their challenges each day. The saying “We’re all in this together” rings true right now.
Louise Cunningham
Signal Hill
School safety?
As you may recall, I served as chairman of the Measure K committee for three years. I was chair during the final years of the construction of Nelson [Academy]. The Measure K Committee made several visits to the site during those final years and was present at the dedication. I am fully aware of how proud the city officials were, and still are, of the school. I believe it was my role as chair that prompted a school district employee to bring a disturbing development to my attention.
The P.E. field at the school seems to be sinking and/or breaking apart. Large amounts of what appear to be construction debris are coming to the surface. Students and their teachers started collecting the debris in order to bring this serious problem to the attention of the principal. The teacher at one point stepped into a “sinkhole” and was, luckily, not injured. The teacher fears retaliation and therefore has been reluctant to complain to the district officials directly. She has instead taken pictures of the debris, and those pictures have been sent to me.
This situation is serious and needs to be fully addressed. Everyone involved in the construction of the school knew that it was being built on a toxic site. The Measure K Committee was reassured over and over that the land problems had been eliminated.
Karen T. Hilburn
Long Beach
Cope and hope
My grandfather was murdered when I was 11 years old. At the time my family needed help and we had nowhere to turn. As a result, my father continues to suffer daily, my mother is co-dependent and my sisters and I are somewhat survivors.
Just recently my daughter was sexually assaulted. As her mom, I could not bear the pain and the suffering she is going through. This has turned her world upside-down. I was in desperate need of help, and through very heavy research I found the Long Beach Trauma Center [“LB trauma recovery program to get more contact with crime victims,” Dec. 4, 2015]. They have been a true blessing. These services are a necessity to families struggling with traumatic experiences, and I do hope programs like this continue to develop and that the Long Beach Trauma Recovery Center continues to receive funds, because their services are invaluable.
Stefani Wolitski
[Website comment]
