Mailbag

Public shouldn’t be subsidizing lights

The story of the Christmas light displays (“Lighting the way to decor,” Tuesday) left a bitter taste in my mouth when I read that Zhirayr Nazaryan thinks the city should subsidize him for the expensive utility bill he incurs for doing this.

Seasonal displays are voluntary. Nobody is forcing him to do this, so why should the public have to pay for his electrical use? If his light show is subsidized, then others are entitled to the same thing. America is a country of many religious faiths, some of which do not observe Christmas, so why should public money be spent on Nazaryan’s light show.

While such displays are charming to look at, they are also a source of wasted energy.

As to the family’s disappointment that Glendale does not hold a decorating contest: The Committee for a Clean and Beautiful Glendale, which is affiliated with Neighborhood Services, does give “Winter Holiday Spirit Award” certificates to homes under the annual winter holiday decorating program.

CAROL BRUSHA

Glendale

Not sure to whom the council is listening

To the City Council: You must be in the arms of any developers who wish to put up condos in Glendale.

Have you ever considered the wishes of your constituents, the people who reside in Glendale, the people who put you in office?

I have lived in my condo at the corner of Louise and Doran streets for 33 years. What used to be a relatively quiet neighborhood is now overrun with traffic using Louise as an alternative to Brand. Although there are stoplights at Doran and Glenoaks Boulevard and a stop sign at Louise and Monterey Road, the cars race through, blaring their music and horns, driving faster than 25 or 30 mph, “in and out” of our parking garages, which face Louise.

With the council’s decision to put up condos on Louise and Broadway and to change the uses of the old Department of Public and Social Services building (“Council approves two downtown towers,” Dec. 19), can you imagine the influx of traffic on Louise?

Do the public’s needs have any bearing on your decisions? Please think. We do pay taxes, which include your salaries.

At least consider “speed bumps” or officers observing the above who will give tickets to noisy speeders.

Thank you for your prompt attention to the above.

RUTH ABIDOR

Glendale