We condemn, on the other hand, all those lookie-loos who came in to get a thrill from watching the smoke on the hillsides. One person came from Alhambra! Another on his way home to Simi Valley came by to see the fire, but he had lived here 15 years ago, so he felt he had the “right” to see what was happening in the old neighborhood.
For a while there was a steady procession of cars going up Lowell Avenue, and turning around at Day Street after the occupants had had their sick thrill. Emergency vehicles were slowed in getting up the street on several occasions.
We suggest all those lookie-loos watch the next disaster on TV from the comfort of their easy chair, and keep out of the way of those working to save lives and property. It’s a better view anyway.
JOHN AND JOY HINDSILL
Glendale
Teachers should get extra prep time
Ever since I began teaching in Glendale in 1989, teachers have been required to report to work two days before students start. Usually the two days are filled with wall-to-wall meetings in the mornings and one afternoon, leaving only a few afternoon hours on the last day for teachers to submit photocopies, get books, write agendas on the board, arrange desks, clean up their room, write up lessons, look over e-mails, etc.
It’s an impossible task, which is why some teachers out of the goodness of their hearts come to work earlier than required. Even though they don’t get compensated, they need the time to get ready.
It’s a shame that it took a tragic event, the Station wildfire, to force delaying school for a few days and offer a rare opportunity for teachers to receive extra time to mentally and otherwise get properly ready for their students (“Local schools remain closed,” Sept. 2).
