January 2006

"Someone should remind Ms. Ricardez that no one asked her to come here, nor forced her to, and that no one in this country owes her anything. This attitude of entitlement and lack of gratitude is one reason we need to put a stop to illegal immigration."

LIVING HISTORY

It’s interesting to contemplate whether your story of the Copleys and The San Diego Union-Tribune would have come to light had Shane Liddick not researched and written “Destiny, Dynasty & the Copleys” [November] and “The Paper Chase” [December] while the sources were still living. Those of us who came to San Diego in the 1950s find the story a great read contrasted with memories of the events.

I remember fellow San Diego Rotarian Al Harutunian with Richard Nixon in his helicopter, landing in the Jack Murphy Stadium parking lot to the wows of the crowd. Few knew then the connection with banker C. Arnholt Smith or the storm clouds gathering. Jack Vietor’s Point Magazine was the only contrary local print medium at the time, and he didn’t last without advertising support from the establishment. Journalism failed San Diego.

Our present civic agony might well not exist had Elliott Cushman’s Independent or the Daily Transcript been capable of challenging the decades of Copley influence dominating City Hall. Former mayor Pete Wilson worked wonders with what he had available. It will be fascinating to watch Jerry Sanders as a “strong mayor” and Ronne Froman shape our city governance—if David Copley will provide responsible journalism.

Thanks to San Diego Magazine for this Pulitzer quality work. [San Diego Magazine founders] Ed and Gloria Self must be proud.

GEORGE HARRIS
NORTH PARK

FIT TO PRINT

Thank you so very much for the excellent articles on The San Diego Union-Tribune. They brought back many memories for me.

When I was hired by the old Evening Tribune in 1953, as a naïve 16-yearold high school graduate, the personnel manager told me I would grow up quickly. I sure did. I started in the mail room, which was next to Mr. Copley’s office, and I had the great distinction of closing the elevator doors on him, accidentally. Believe me, he remembered me.

I had the pleasure of working with many wonderful people over the years, and really learned the newspaper business. I even met and married my first husband, the late Joe Flynn, there. Working with Larry Sisk, Fred Kinne, Neil Morgan, Gene and Betty Peach and many others was memorable.

Even in my young years, I was aware of what was happening at the newspaper, and your reporter was “right on” in his articles.

SHEILA MORSE FLYNN DONIGAN
SCRIPPS RANCH

HOME OF THE FREE

I read with interest the story of Alejandra Ricardez in your article on illegal immigration [“Los Indocumentados” by Kevin Cox, August].

She admits she came here illegally, although she doesn’t seem to feel any guilt about it. She took advantage of all that San Diego had to offer, including free schooling and healthcare, and yet I didn’t read one word of gratitude for all the free benefits she has received. Talk about hypocrisy. Please, Ms. Ricardez, tell us how many free benefits illegal aliens receive in Mexico, will you?

Someone should remind Ms. Ricardez that no one asked her to come here, nor forced her to, and that no one in this country owes her anything. This attitude of entitlement and lack of gratitude is one reason we need to put a stop to illegal immigration.

CHELSEA WALKER
ENCINITAS

GAMESMANSHIP

It’s tempting to look at sports team owners as villains, but they’re really just businessmen trying to make a buck [“An Immodest Proposal” by Ron Donoho, Journal, December]. The Chargers’ [stadium] proposal, though not complete by any means, is coming the city’s way, and needs only two things to be acceptable.

The first is validation of the site from environmental and traffic standpoints, a tall order. But if this can be done, and the Chargers really mean what they say —that they will pay for the stadium, the infrastructure and the payoff of stadium expansion bonds—60 acres of public land that’s contributing zero revenue to the city now may be well worth it.

The second thing is the question of who owns and operates the stadium. The Chargers’ plan for city ownership is a canard. They know it’s a lot of work and expensive to maintain and operate a stadium profitably—something the city has demonstrated repeatedly it is incapable of doing. The Chargers would like to play their 10 games a year and let the city worry about the other 355 days. We can’t permit that.

No, the Chargers should design and build and own their own stadium. They’ll dictate the design anyway, and they are in the entertainment business; the city is not. The Chargers can find events. They can maintain it. They can modify it when the needs of the team change. And there’s no one to blackmail anymore! All the team has to do is pay property taxes.

Think of the profit potential, Mr. Spanos. It will be your show.

WILLIAM BRADSHAW
MISSION BEACH

A LEG UP

Thank you, San Diego Magazine, and thank you, April Vasquez, for the most fabulous cover in your history [November]. I will frame it.

Please print a full picture of April so we can see the owner of these glamorous gams!

MATT MORRISSETTE
SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA

SIMPLE MATH

What has happened to my former wonderful San Diego Magazine? It is now filled with so much advertising that it is difficult to find the wheat among all of that chaff. It has become a magazine of mostly blow and very little show!

My last few issues have found an early exit to the recycling bin!

DORAINE OFFERMAN
PACIFIC BEACH

In 2005, the magazine carried more editorial content than ever. A decade ago, the November issue contained 67 pages of edit. In 1998, it had 81 pages. In 2001, 97 pages. And this November, 108 pages. That’s a more than 62 percent increase in editorial in 10 years, with no change in the ratio of advertising to editorial.—EDITOR

GOOD KARMA

Thank you for the great article [“Feng Shui Contemporary” by Tom Shess, San Diego by Design, November]. It is humbling to see our home featured in a major publication such as yours. We were extremely pleased with the presentation, pictorials and content of the article.

RON & KRIS CHO
SANTALUZ

UNDER COVER

I enjoy your magazine very much— except for the covers. San Diego is a very popular city because of its scenic beauty. There has not been a scenic cover on your magazine, that I can recall, since the ownership change many years ago.

The December issue takes the cake. I love the holidays, and what’s on the cover? Two vegetables with a heading about personal chefs. Even the Grinch would have been a better choice.

TIM MYERS
LA JOLLA

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