Mailbag: GCC needs to cut back on students

July 21, 2010

The increasing number of students at Glendale Community College is obvious to me as a second-year student. As more students try to crowd in, continuing students have serious problems adding or registering in required classes for their majors ("GCC faces more cuts," June 23).

Instead of decreasing the number of classes to save money, the college should admit fewer or, at least, select students. Although new students have the right to use their community college, it is not fair to deprive current students of the ability to continue their education in a timely manner.

If the college has such a serious budget problem, why are so many students being admitted each semester?

Goris Haghverdian

Glendale

While watching TV the other day on the proceedings of affordable-housing Section 8 vouchers for veterans, I was appalled that Mayor Ara Najarian was in "staunch opposition" to putting military veterans in front of the waiting list for affordable housing ("Vets to front of the queue? July 16).

Najarian was more concerned that it could create a major backlash from the thousands of people already in line. So what, Mayor! To the thousands of non-veterans, did they risk their lives and fortunes so others could live free and enjoy the fruits of this country? Did these non-veterans come to Glendale disabled, limbs missing and despondent?

Did some of these non-veterans make poor economic decisions and now ask for government assistance? Are the non-veterans disabled because of combat or from an accident on the freeway, job or any other place?

The point is none of the thousands of people who you want to go to the front of the line ever carried a rifle into combat, parachuted into enemy territory, ate dirt, lived in a fox hole, felt the desert heat of Afghanistan and Iraq, lived in the jungles of Vietnam or experienced the freezing winters of Korea.

Shortly after Memorial Day, I addressed the City Council about my hero, Marine Cpl. Larry Maxam, a Medal of Honor winner during the Vietnam War. Maxam never had the opportunity to apply for Section 8 affordable housing — because he came home in a body bag. But the city of Burbank honored his heroism by re-naming Pacific Park after him.

Perhaps Najarian needs a trip to Arlington National Cemetery to see all the graves of young men and women who will never have the opportunity to apply for Section 8 housing. These American heroes will miss the opportunity to apply for affordable housing in the "Jewel City" we call Glendale.

Maybe after a little re-thinking of my hero, Maxam, Najarian will do the right thing and follow the lead of his colleagues, Councilmen Frank Quintero and Dave Weaver.

Isn't it ironic, Mr. Mayor, the same men and women whom you would deny preference in public housing are the same people who would sacrifice their lives again and again for you to say no to them?

Mike Mohill

Glendale

Paper shredder is a worthwhile investment

At 7 a.m., I observed a man with a bag going through trash cans. I asked him if he knew what he was doing was against the law. I also said I was going in and calling the police.

When I looked out several minutes later, he was gone.

In these times of so many identity thefts, a shredder is one way of fighting back and so much less expensive than the results of identity theft.

Francis Adams

Glendale

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