Smokers should be mindful of others
It seems to me that if smokers are allowed to smoke and offend the nonsmokers among us, then patio dining areas would in reality not be available to the nonsmokers (“Council eases up on smoking,” Wednesday).
I feel very strongly that smokers should not be allowed to smoke around diners, at the front doors of businesses where one has to enter through a cloud of offensive smoke, and near children in areas such as playgrounds.
SHERILAN STEWART
Glendale
Don’t close Chevy Chase Library
As a resident of Glendale, specifically Chevy Chase Canyon, and a board member of the Chevy Chase Estates Assn., it has come to my attention that part of the proposed balancing of the $9.9-million 2008-09 budget shortfall is to close the Chevy Chase Library (“City budget up for adoption amid scrutiny,” Monday).
I cannot believe that council members would turn their backs on contributing to learning, literacy and the public good.
Reading is becoming lost in today’s hectic world.
The government should be encouraging reading, not shutting down libraries for economic expediency.
I further understand that the net annual savings from closing the Chevy Chase Library would be in the range of $26,000.
Put in context of your recent approval of a $6.59-million pay-raise package for city employees, I have to question the council’s priorities.
I encourage you to look at line items in the budget not simply as numbers, but as items with greater or less importance to the public good.
We all know there is so much waste in city government; look for those items to cut.
Please keep the Chevy Chase Library open and invest in our future and quality of life.
LARRY VARNES
Glendale
