A tale of bureaucratic inequity
SANDAG is entrusted with the community’s tax money in order to build, maintain and improve the county infrastructure. SANDAG gave SR-67 two state-of-the-art digital changeable message displays, some ugly yellow plastic tubes separating opposing traffic lanes, and a light veneer of asphalt and sand — none of which changed the nature of the antiquated rural “highway.”
The fleecing of the Ramona community is a frustrating fact due to the millions of dollars that San Diego County collects in annual property taxes from this community. Two questions come to mind: Where does the money go? And what are the County’s obligations? For Ramona is like a third-world nation; about 40% of the town does not have sidewalks, paved or illuminated streets, or a central sewer.
After a solemn promise, made 30 years ago, to upgrade SR-67, the Ramona community witnesses as every year SANDAG spends millions of dollars on wetland restoration, bicycle lanes, new trolleys, transit projects, etc., etc.
It does not take a genius to conclude that SANDAG caters to special interests. In the meanwhile, in Ramona, we hear about the possibility for a road shoulder on SR-67 by Mina de Oro. They grab millions of our tax monies and leave us to tally the accidents on SR-67.
Oscar Quinones
Ramona
Road safety is up to the driver
If you’ve lived in Ramona long enough, you know or have loved someone who has either lost their life or been seriously injured in a traffic collision on one of Ramona’s roads. One would think if you have lost someone or watched the aftermath of such an incident, you would drive safer and respect the road.
Not too long ago you could drive down the road and if an erratic driver caused a close call, it was a fairly uncommon occurrence. Now it is a daily occurrence — numerous times a day. It’s not on one road, it’s all of our roads. It’s not just one age group, it’s all age groups.
When a serious crash occurs, the county Roads Department gets inundated with complaints reporting how dangerous the roads are. Although it is devastating and heart-wrenching when there is a serious crash, it is not the road’s fault. Review the incident reports — the majority these crashes are due to distraction, speeding, driving under the influence, impatience, recklessness, rage, and even just showing off.
The list goes on and on. Very rarely is “dangerous road” listed as the cause. Qualified engineers and law enforcement agencies have painstakingly explored and implemented numerous improvements to ensure our road safety. If you leave late for work or for an appointment — you are going to be late. If there’s traffic, you are going to be late. When two lanes merge into one, it is not a race — it’s time to safely employ the zipper merge — we all have somewhere we need to be.
During the wildfires, we robustly came together as a united community. Can’t we similarly unite to ensure that we all reach our destinations ALIVE and in one piece?
Stay Safe Ramona. We chose to live in our beautiful town. Let’s keep it that way.
Sue Thygesen
Ramona
Respect the flag
In Ramona and all over the nation, especially since the 9/11 terrorist event, people have been showing their patriotism by having the American flag proudly displayed. However, so many have no concept on HOW the flag is to be flown.
In the middle of Ramona, the flag flying in front of Starbucks is in tatters. I have seen large flags on vehicles that drag on the dirty vehicle when it is not moving, as well as flags flying at night without being properly fitted with a light. I have a neighbor whose flag is left to lie on their roof in the rain, discarded like a rag even though it has been brought to their attention. This is not showing patriotism, this is showing distain for the symbol of this great nation.
The proper requirements for flying the nation’s flag can be easily found by a computer search. For those flags as the one in front of Starbucks that are tattered or damaged, there are PROPER methods of retiring and disposal that should be followed.
Patriotism is a wonderful thing, but it should be done with respect.
Deborah Pearson
Ramona
