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Examine Sierra Madre
It's time to reexamine Downtown Sierra Madre.
I don't think that anyone who voted on the zoning initiative wanted an abandoned and fenced off former skilled nursing center as a permanent blight on Sierra Madre Boulevard.
It turns out that some of our ordinances have glitches so that long-established businesses in the downtown area cannot relocate at the end of their leases.
It's time to take another look at Downtown Sierra Madre. We spent a lot of time and energy in studying the downtown area. Surely at least some of the information gained would be of value in helping us figure out how to get what we want.
City Council should do something to get this process moving for everyone's benefit.
Eric Olson
Sierra Madre
Gay marriage is federal
Letter writer Rich Mason ("Your View," July 15) made a very good point when referring to the issue of same-sex marriage in California: "Even if this were a federal question, which it is not (yet), the issue would deal with the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution."
However the voters of California decide Proposition 8 in November, the issue of same-sex marriage eventually must be brought before the U.S. Supreme Court for resolution on a national level.
If Proposition 8 is defeated, the laws and regulations of California will remain at odds with those at the federal level regarding such matters as income tax and Social Security among many others. If Proposition 8 passes, the state Constitution will mandate unequal protection under law for all members of the gay and lesbian community...