Lafayette PG&E tree cutting
PG&E wants to lower the cost of monitoring and maintaining their existing natural gas pipelines by remove hundreds of priceless trees in our community. I would like you to consider this within the context of what we must do in the coming decades to control global warming.
Climate scientists tell us that we have to dramatically reduce our emissions of greenhouse gasses in the next few decades if we are to have any chance of avoiding a global catastrophe.
We know that we must stop the emissions of methane that occur during the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels. Methane, the primary ingredient in natural gas, also commonly escapes into the atmosphere through distribution networks and when used in our homes for cooking and heating. We also know that we must eliminate most emissions of carbon dioxide that result from burning fossil fuels such as natural gas. In other words, we will have to stop the exploration, extraction, distribution and use of natural gas.
Fortunately we already have the technology and knowhow to replace our home use of natural gas with electric cooking and heating devices powered by renewable energy. It will of course take us some time to come to our senses in recognition of these facts and to gradually make the transition. But there is no mistaking that we must make these changes well before midcentury.
Many of the trees that have been selected for removal have been here for well over 100 years and those that are younger will live hundreds of years into the future if we will just nurture them. These trees support a multitude of species and enrich our lives in countless ways. It seems to me that this destruction to what little we have left of our natural ecosystem in support of an energy source that will be obsolete in a few decades is short sighted and irresponsible.
James Leach
Lafayette
A fond farewell from a Lafayette business owner
The Need of Hope
We had a fire!
A wonderful building died alone in the dark all by itself without anyone there by its side.
A terrible disaster to happen to any building which has supported people for decades had needs to be cared for with love.
One Hundred Lafayette Circle needed tender loving care from its owners, we, who were present within its walls, were grateful, respectful and admiring of its grace and charm, but that wasn't enough, it needed a face lift, as a lot of beautiful buildings receive to keep up appearances.
One Hundred served Lafayette well, being the Heart of the Chamber of Commerce along with eight other businesses.
A wonderful restaurant, La Finestra, graciously welcomed patrons for their evening meal.
Suite one Hundred Two, a hair salon, serving clients for over thirty years, I being one of those were located on the first floor.
The second floor was home for six individual professionals,
A cherished esthetician, an accountancy firm and a therapy group, all deserving of Lafayette's respect.
One hundred Lafayette circle, was for those of us who relished its location, understood its standing within the community, adored its structure, and enjoyed the setting on the corner, with its large grand eucalyptus trees standing guard over its convenient, coveted parking's spaces.
February of this year, two thousand and seventeen, gave us a shudders, the grand eucalyptus tree, which guarded its entrance, collapsed from lack of water to nurture its continued aliveness, into its future, a sad day, which will be remembered in infamy for all of Lafayette's citizens to recall at chamber meeting.
One Hundred's cover had fallen away, exposing it to all those who walked by and marveled at its appearance. It was never viewed the same after that disturbance.
I will remember One Hundred Lafayette Circle, with all its wonderful unique architecture and all the special memories it has created for me and its friends for years to come.
With respectful regards,
Christopher P. Georgeovich
Lafayette
A plea for return to old police blotter
I cannot believe when I opened the paper today, turned to my favorite section "the Moraga crime report", and it was boring!!!
I have talked to my friends regarding the man's letter (on June 28) criticizing the report and all said what a shame that anyone could be that narrow minded and not have the joy in his life to appreciate the effort that someone put into making our little town's crime report entertaining to read.
Please, BRING IT BACK.
Charlotte Scherer
Moraga
One victim's response to humorous police report
Several years ago when living in Orinda, my house was burglarized. The burglars stole my large jewelry collection. I had many valuable, unique and special pieces. On that terrible day, among many other valuable items, I lost my diamond engagement ring and a necklace my dad had bought me when I was 9 years old. I was devastated having lost so many irreplaceable items.
When I would read the "humorous" Moraga police reports in the paper I would feel insulted. I know from my personal experience, that crime is no laughing matter. My loss and the fear I continue to carry with me should not be act like the comics. Why should being a crime victim be written up in such a way that it makes readers laugh?
Catherine Billings
Moraga
Response to MOFD morale issues
This is in response to the July 26th edition article entitled: "Morale plummeting at MOFD due to board actions."
With all sincerity, I greatly admire the tremendous personal risk firefighters bravely take upon themselves to protect lives and property. They are true heroes, and their knowledge regarding what resources they need to carry out their duties is of course very valuable. With that said, I also applaud the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) Board for having the courage to hold the line on expenditures to preserve long-term financial stability. Implying that the new Board members are unqualified because they have "financial backgrounds" and criticizing them for "...putting financial stability ahead of fire service" just highlights how financially irresponsible past MOFD Board decisions have been. If the Board ignores financial reality and lets the district go broke, would that be good for fire service?
As to the morale problem, I have worked for companies that have gone through painful cost reductions involving layoffs, salary cuts and division closures. I have also stood side by side with private industry construction union members as they endured painful wage and benefit cuts. As those cutbacks unfolded, I have watched good leadership ensure the morale of their employees and union members did not deteriorate. Part of that involved helping workers understand that the cost reductions were necessary to keep their employer in business. I've also seen innovation and new ideas come forward when workers have been asked to do more with less. Is it asking too much for a Fire Captain to keep his or her workforce dedicated to a job with life and death responsibility, even if they didn't get everything they want in their contract? Personally, I think the moral fabric of the men and women who have stepped forward to wear those uniforms is strong enough to push through this without their "morale plummeting." If not, maybe a few of the retirees on the collection end of that $64 million pension liability could swing by the station house and give a pep talk.
Tony Angelo
Moraga
PG&E wants to lower the cost of monitoring and maintaining their existing natural gas pipelines by remove hundreds of priceless trees in our community. I would like you to consider this within the context of what we must do in the coming decades to control global warming.
Climate scientists tell us that we have to dramatically reduce our emissions of greenhouse gasses in the next few decades if we are to have any chance of avoiding a global catastrophe.
We know that we must stop the emissions of methane that occur during the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels. Methane, the primary ingredient in natural gas, also commonly escapes into the atmosphere through distribution networks and when used in our homes for cooking and heating. We also know that we must eliminate most emissions of carbon dioxide that result from burning fossil fuels such as natural gas. In other words, we will have to stop the exploration, extraction, distribution and use of natural gas.
Fortunately we already have the technology and knowhow to replace our home use of natural gas with electric cooking and heating devices powered by renewable energy. It will of course take us some time to come to our senses in recognition of these facts and to gradually make the transition. But there is no mistaking that we must make these changes well before midcentury.
Many of the trees that have been selected for removal have been here for well over 100 years and those that are younger will live hundreds of years into the future if we will just nurture them. These trees support a multitude of species and enrich our lives in countless ways. It seems to me that this destruction to what little we have left of our natural ecosystem in support of an energy source that will be obsolete in a few decades is short sighted and irresponsible.
James Leach
Lafayette
A fond farewell from a Lafayette business owner
The Need of Hope
We had a fire!
A wonderful building died alone in the dark all by itself without anyone there by its side.
A terrible disaster to happen to any building which has supported people for decades had needs to be cared for with love.
One Hundred Lafayette Circle needed tender loving care from its owners, we, who were present within its walls, were grateful, respectful and admiring of its grace and charm, but that wasn't enough, it needed a face lift, as a lot of beautiful buildings receive to keep up appearances.
One Hundred served Lafayette well, being the Heart of the Chamber of Commerce along with eight other businesses.
A wonderful restaurant, La Finestra, graciously welcomed patrons for their evening meal.
Suite one Hundred Two, a hair salon, serving clients for over thirty years, I being one of those were located on the first floor.
The second floor was home for six individual professionals,
A cherished esthetician, an accountancy firm and a therapy group, all deserving of Lafayette's respect.
One hundred Lafayette circle, was for those of us who relished its location, understood its standing within the community, adored its structure, and enjoyed the setting on the corner, with its large grand eucalyptus trees standing guard over its convenient, coveted parking's spaces.
February of this year, two thousand and seventeen, gave us a shudders, the grand eucalyptus tree, which guarded its entrance, collapsed from lack of water to nurture its continued aliveness, into its future, a sad day, which will be remembered in infamy for all of Lafayette's citizens to recall at chamber meeting.
One Hundred's cover had fallen away, exposing it to all those who walked by and marveled at its appearance. It was never viewed the same after that disturbance.
I will remember One Hundred Lafayette Circle, with all its wonderful unique architecture and all the special memories it has created for me and its friends for years to come.
With respectful regards,
Christopher P. Georgeovich
Lafayette
A plea for return to old police blotter
I cannot believe when I opened the paper today, turned to my favorite section "the Moraga crime report", and it was boring!!!
I have talked to my friends regarding the man's letter (on June 28) criticizing the report and all said what a shame that anyone could be that narrow minded and not have the joy in his life to appreciate the effort that someone put into making our little town's crime report entertaining to read.
Please, BRING IT BACK.
Charlotte Scherer
Moraga
One victim's response to humorous police report
Several years ago when living in Orinda, my house was burglarized. The burglars stole my large jewelry collection. I had many valuable, unique and special pieces. On that terrible day, among many other valuable items, I lost my diamond engagement ring and a necklace my dad had bought me when I was 9 years old. I was devastated having lost so many irreplaceable items.
When I would read the "humorous" Moraga police reports in the paper I would feel insulted. I know from my personal experience, that crime is no laughing matter. My loss and the fear I continue to carry with me should not be act like the comics. Why should being a crime victim be written up in such a way that it makes readers laugh?
Catherine Billings
Moraga
Response to MOFD morale issues
This is in response to the July 26th edition article entitled: "Morale plummeting at MOFD due to board actions."
With all sincerity, I greatly admire the tremendous personal risk firefighters bravely take upon themselves to protect lives and property. They are true heroes, and their knowledge regarding what resources they need to carry out their duties is of course very valuable. With that said, I also applaud the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) Board for having the courage to hold the line on expenditures to preserve long-term financial stability. Implying that the new Board members are unqualified because they have "financial backgrounds" and criticizing them for "...putting financial stability ahead of fire service" just highlights how financially irresponsible past MOFD Board decisions have been. If the Board ignores financial reality and lets the district go broke, would that be good for fire service?
As to the morale problem, I have worked for companies that have gone through painful cost reductions involving layoffs, salary cuts and division closures. I have also stood side by side with private industry construction union members as they endured painful wage and benefit cuts. As those cutbacks unfolded, I have watched good leadership ensure the morale of their employees and union members did not deteriorate. Part of that involved helping workers understand that the cost reductions were necessary to keep their employer in business. I've also seen innovation and new ideas come forward when workers have been asked to do more with less. Is it asking too much for a Fire Captain to keep his or her workforce dedicated to a job with life and death responsibility, even if they didn't get everything they want in their contract? Personally, I think the moral fabric of the men and women who have stepped forward to wear those uniforms is strong enough to push through this without their "morale plummeting." If not, maybe a few of the retirees on the collection end of that $64 million pension liability could swing by the station house and give a pep talk.
Tony Angelo
Moraga
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA