Need for revamped library overlooked
With regard to Bruce Philpott's dissertation on the utter lack of a need for replacing Fire Station 26, I find he has overlooked a very important part of the proposed change ("Replacing two fire stations is not a good idea," Feb. 22).
His comments with regards to the adequacy of the present fire station indicate he looked into the situation in great detail and has some valid points.
However, it also became obvious that Philpott overlooked one important item: the need for an improved Casa Verdugo Branch library structure. It is very clear he made no attempt to explore the needs of Station 26's neighbors.
I have worked for the Glendale Public Library for 25 years and can assure him that the Casa Verdugo branch is indeed in need of a larger and more modern facility. The present building housing this branch is by far the smallest and most crowded of all the branches.
It is so small that books are squeezed tightly on their shelves. They are difficult to remove and even harder to re-shelve. There is not enough room for an adequate supply of tables, chairs and lounges to provide for the comfort and accessibility that should be there for the library's patrons. Additionally, there are not enough meeting rooms for the public's need when the library is the focal point of a gathering.
The staffers at Casa Verdugo should be commended for the excellent service they provide under such difficult conditions.
A new fire station, as Philpott states, may be a waste of money, but an improvement to the library would be an excellent use of our taxes. Perhaps relocating the library to a new, larger and modern site of its own might be a solution. But this is for our City Council to talk about. They have an opportunity to make a good choice.
RALPH WALROTH
Glendale
Proper procedures must be enforced
Bravo, Stephanie Landregan — well stated ("Deciding what is important in an election," Community Commentary, Feb. 23).
I would add one more item addressing the fundamental issue of the voting process itself: its conduct and integrity. The noise level relating to possible election fraud through inappropriate absentee balloting and polling place practices has reached a high decibel level in Glendale.
Our city clerk should exert leadership and send a clear signal by publicly re-enforcing appropriate polling place and absentee balloting procedures so that all Glendalians are assured that they meet the letter and spirit of the law.
