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Category: Letters to the Editor

  • LETTER: Sunrise Mall needs a high rise hotel, entertainment options

    Letter submitted by Citrus Heights resident Andy Garcia–
    [RE: City takes next step towards major redevelopment of Sunrise Mall; Oct. 13th] I believe we should have a Hilton hotel or a high rise hotel that can hold tourists by the top right side of the mall or the bottom right side. The mall should also have an updated movie theater like Century Arden 14 and XD, a grocery store, a new store to replace Sears like Dick’s Sporting Goods or a new fashion store, and a new Cheesecake Factory and live event center.

    Make the mall two stories, or three if needed, and add stores like True Religion, Guess, Gap, Toys R Us, Disney, Build-A-Bear, and Lego. Add a merry-go-round and games for kids, along with a bar area in the mall with high-end restaurants. No housing. Only hotels in the area, not inside.

    Add a nice playground next to the women’s Macy’s entrance outside. This will make kids want to come. Couples will come because of the bar and shops and entertainment. Single people because of the movies and shops, and families just because it’s a one-stop shop.

    This will make home prices go up and bring developers to the area. It will also have a positive impact by giving a ton of jobs to homeless and will bring more customers to nearby local restaurants.

    This will make Sunrise great again.

    MORE LETTER(S):

    Great opportunity for Citrus Heights
    This is a great opportunity for the community. This particular firm has a reputation of forward thinking and planning of complexes that accommodate immediate needs and future growth.

    Kudos to staff and the council for moving forward on the mall. We have waited too long for others, ie. land owners, to make changes and plan for the future that provide positive impact for the city.
    -Albert Fox, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your own thoughts about Sunrise Mall or another local issue in Citrus Heights? We publish every letter received. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTER: Faded lines on Citrus Heights roadways need re-painting

    A faded white line is shown between two lanes on Van Maren Lane near Auburn Boulevard. // CH Sentinel

    Letter submitted by Citrus Heights resident Marjorie Bippus–
    [RE: Repaving, concrete work begins on 13 streets in Citrus Heights; Oct. 3rd] I’m glad to see action being taken on city streets, however, with the onset of winter, bad weather and getting dark earlier, there is a need to paint/repaint white lines, especially on heavily used portions of streets in Citrus Heights.

    At the corner of San Juan Avenue and Greenback Lane white lines are not visible in places. People not familiar with this location do not realize there are three lanes on Greenback, so they drive in the middle of what should be the 2nd and 3rd lane.

    Van Maren Lane is another street that has places where the white lines have disappeared in places. I’m sure there are many more places on city streets suffering from the same problem. The city needs to fix this problem before really bad weather and darkness set in.

    Want to share your own thoughts about roads or another local issue in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: FEMA trailers in Citrus Heights, chronic homelessness

    LETTERS: FEMA trailers in Citrus Heights, chronic homelessness

    Vacant lots on Sayonara Drive are the site where Councilman Bret Daniels has proposed setting up FEMA trailers to temporarily house homeless families. // CH Sentinel

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers discuss pros and cons of a recent proposal to house homeless in FEMA trailers on Sayonara Drive, as well as alternative solutions to addressing homelessness.

    FEMA trailers won’t solve chronic homeless problem
    [RE: Councilman proposes using ‘FEMA-type’ trailers for homeless in Citrus Heights, Sept. 29th] I believe that this idea (although noble) is putting the “cart before the horse.” The homeless that Councilman Daniels is citing are families that have had bad fortune and lost their jobs and homes. Statistics show that many of these people, given a leg up can get back on track and become self-sustaining again. This particular strata of homeless has many avenues for help in our system. Providing FEMA trailers would be an end result of evaluation and a step-by-step plan and urgency of need.

    The chronic homeless are a different problem to solve. There are many factors to evaluate: physical health, income, mental health evaluation and prognosis, developmental disability, personal support systems, medical and medicine needs, nutrition deficits — plus dental, vision and hearing, to name some. Many homeless are capable of some kind of meaningful work, many do not want to go to a shelter where there are rules, and many need to have “some” help…

    I think the problem is monumental, but we try to put band-aids on instead of looking at the basis of the problem. Policing the mentally ill homeless is not the answer. We as a city, county, and state must come up with a plan. All we are doing is “marching in place” — nothing is going positively forward. Why can’t we re-open the state hospitals for mentally ill that have lain fallow for so many years? …Oh yes, it would be costly to refurbish, but at what cost of human life and care? Let’s quit playing ostrich and start solving.

    FEMA trailers would be great way to get homeless off street
    [RE: Councilman proposes using ‘FEMA-type’ trailers for homeless in Citrus Heights, Sept. 29th] I agree with Bret Daniel’s idea of putting the FEMA trailers on the vacant lots. Asking the homeless to pay a minimal monthly fee would also not be unreasonable. There has to be grant money somewhere. Get these people off the streets.

    About those trailers…
     [RE: Councilman proposes using ‘FEMA-type’ trailers for homeless in Citrus Heights, Sept. 29th] Yep — lets put FEMA trailers on Sayonara Drive. Then we will not have to worry about the “New Luxury Homes” ever going to be built right behind the trailers.
    -Jim Monteton, Citrus Heights

    Stop giving homeless money
    [RE: Homeless drug addicts are taking over our city; Letter, Aug. 25th] Put yourself in their shoes and it can probably be figured out better. They lack a lot of things we take for granted and lose perspective. Some need the kind of help they don’t want, so they need guidance. I have sat and talked to many of these homeless over a period of three years or so. We have to stop giving them money. I’ve heard this out of some of their own mouths.

    Some really need mental health to step in. Anyone that can’t think for their self is a danger to them and others. They don’t want to go to shelters, so they need to be forced. It’s the only way they can move forward. I don’t want to see them so demoralized they’re out begging.
    -Shirley Tarpley, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your own thoughts about homelessness or another local issue in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: Speeding, roundabouts, homeless, neighbors

    Roundabout, Citrus Heights
    A roundabout shown at the intersection of Stock Ranch Road and Fountain Square Drive in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include comments about speeding and roundabouts in neighborhoods, homelessness, and helping neighbors in need.

    Speeders in neighborhood are a big problem
    [RE: Citrus Heights developing $200k program to improve neighborhood traffic flow, safety; Sept. 8th] Congratulations on trying to increase safety on our neighborhood roads. Please include the issue of many cars speeding through Sun Hill to get to inner neighborhoods or avoid the Greenback-Sunrise intersection. We can hardly hear our TV some nights with the window open as cars and motorcycles rev their way east and west at top speed!
    -Jean Schafer, Citrus Heights

    Roundabouts, speed bumps are needed
    [RE: Citrus Heights developing $200k program to improve neighborhood traffic flow, safety; Sept. 8th] The way people drive in Citrus Heights has become much worse in the past two years. I will not ride my bicycle in our neighborhood anymore because of the distracted way people are driving.

    I am a firm believer in roundabouts. Drivers are forced to slow down and roundabouts keep traffic moving. There are plenty of intersections in Citrus Heights that have room for even a small roundabout. Every single day I see people driving through stop signs. What about putting small speed bumps on the lines at Stop signs? Then drivers would have to come to a proper stop before proceeding.
    -Julie DuRoff, Citrus Heights

    Homeless activity increasing in neighborhood
    [RE: Homeless drug addicts are taking over our city; Letters, Aug. 25th] We moved here 23 years ago. During this time we have noticed an increase flux of homeless/transients. I am now concerned as I now notice a slow increase into my neighborhood. They go through garbage cans before pickup, watched them empty their cart/ car like it is inventory day. The trash they leave behind is alarming.

    There has to be a better solution. Where are all these people coming from. We frequent McDonald’s for breakfast. Notice carts, bikes lined up outside. Then inside they hang out, charge their phones and sponge bath in the restrooms. Beginning to feel unsafe…
    -Rose Stone, Citrus Heights

    Great article on helping a neighbor in need
    [RE: Local businesses, officials help give Citrus Heights homeowner a second chance; Aug. 25th] This was a wonderful article. It gives me great hope that the community was organized by a leader and came together to help someone in this way. There are good and kind people who own businesses and willingly take action to help a neighbor in need.
    –-Linda M. Schulman, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your own thoughts about a local issue in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTER: Homeless drug addicts are taking over our city

    homeless camp
    File photo, a 72-hour notice posted next to a homeless camp off Mariposa Avenue in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    Letter submitted by Christina Bogusz–
    [RE: City seeks input on how to make Citrus Heights better; Aug. 22nd] I just want to suggest the police department do something about the tweakers taking over this city. You can’t go to Home Depot, Walmart or even Raley’s without the homeless drug addicts being everywhere.

    They are getting very bold and come up to you asking if you need any thing. Something needs to be done. Who wants to own a home and raise a family around that??

    I bought my home 10 years ago and the problem has increased to an alarming rate. We are seriously thinking about selling.
    -Christina Bogusz, Citrus Heights

    MORE LETTERS:

    New Starbucks could become homeless hangout
    [RE: Starbucks eyes Citrus Heights location for new drive-thru; Aug. 22nd] I am a resident living near the proposed Starbucks/retail proposal. Since Starbucks allows homeless to hang out at their stores, this gives me pause.

    I observed tents the homeless have erected in the vacant lots between Oak Avenue and Sungarden Drive. The police do what they can; but they can’t be everywhere all the time. I asked a Citrus Heights police officer about the homeless in our neighborhood and he blew me off. This gives me more concern.

    There are already vacant storefronts in Copperwood Square, so why is more retail space needed?
    -Tim Nessler, Citrus Heights

    Homeless still need to be involved in solution
    [RE: Letters; Aug. 15th] I still don’t see how you can solve or even try to say your trying to solve the growing homeless and drug problem in Citrus Heights. You never try to ask them or invite us to your meetings. You won’t until you ask us. We are people too.
    Craig Hoppe, homeless in Citrus Heights

    Want to share your own thoughts about a local issue in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: Homeless, farms, Stones Casino, water park?

    LETTERS: Homeless, farms, Stones Casino, water park?

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include an idea for a self-sustainable farm for the homeless, praise for Stones Casino, suggestions for a water park and entertainment at Sunrise Mall, and more.

    Homeless problem on Auburn Blvd needs action plan
    [RE: Citrus Heights moving forward with $22M plan to revitalize Auburn Blvd; Aug. 4th] Get rid of the homeless on Auburn Boulevard. From the intersection of Greenback Lane all the way to Rush Park it is shopping carts and homeless. I have live in Citrus Heights for over 40 years and this town has gone down hill.

    Also, how about cleaning up the homeless druggie camp behind Costco and Walmart. Someone put up a very fitting sign on the big oak tree stump that is very true.
    -Henry E. Page, Citrus Heights

    Local farm for homeless?
    [RE: Here’s what Citrus Heights police said about homelessness in their live Q&A; July 25th] I think involvement from the City Hall members to set up a homeless self-sustainable farm that is maintained by the homeless community itself and overseen by Citrus Heights City Council members is worth looking into as an alternative solution. This reduces the financial effects that the city and businesses are potentially confronted with.
    -Kimberley Carrion, Citrus Heights

    Stones Casino doing great work
    [RE: Stones Gambling Hall celebrating 5 years in Citrus Heights; July 18th] Besides the card room of Stones, there is an incredible restaurant — Sammy’s. It is one of the best in the area. If you want more than burgers and pizza, try Sammy’s.

    And to all the veterans in our area — Stones donates food and water to support our Veterans Appreciation Picnic each year. Now that there is an established date to remember all the Vietnam Vets (March 29), Stones has a Veterans ‘Free’ Breakfast every year. When you drive up to the front of Stones you will notice that there is an American flag, California flag and a MIA/POW flag flying. Stones is truly community friendly and supportive of all the military, military veterans, police and fire officers.
    -Jim Monteton, Citrus Heights

    These streets need repaving first
    [RE: City plans comprehensive survey of Citrus Heights road conditions; July 25th] June My list of streets for priority repaving are: Dewey Drive from Greenback to Madison, Greenback Lane, Madison Avenue, and Auburn Boulevard from Greenback to Sunrise. These are just a few.
    -Dennis Clark, Citrus Heights

    What Sunrise Mall needs
    [RE: City says Sunrise Mall will be transformed into ‘flourishing center of community life’; July 14th] I think we need to make the mall an outdoor shopping center with the Sears/Macy Plaza road becoming a water park or entertainment center. Then, add some more stores with high quality items like a True Religion, Nike Store, Forever 21, Guess, Disney Store, Gap, H&M, American Eagle, an independent Pink Store, Tommy Store, etc. Add some trendy restaurants like Pluto’s, a sushi restaurant, coffee bar (like Pause Coffee), and a burger place — a cheap one like McDonald’s and another that is more upscaled.

    About the water park, it needs to be better than Sunsplash or just as good, but it needs to be an affordable price to get in, because price and which one is better can make or break someones choice on where they are going to go. Or, you could go with an entertainment center upscale movie theater. A stage where live music is played every two weeks and a nice piece of art for people to take pictures to remember. The name will be Sunrise Premium Outlets at Citrus Heights. I think all of that will be way more than Sunrise Mall needs and will make the community live, have fun and play just like the mall used to be, but better.
    –Andy Garcia, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your own thoughts about a local issue in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: Some ideas for helping solve homelessness in Citrus Heights

    LETTERS: Some ideas for helping solve homelessness in Citrus Heights

    File photo, a notice posted by Citrus Heights police near the site of a homeless camp on Mariposa Avenue gives 72 hour notice for property to be removed before being confiscated. // CH Sentinel

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include varying perspectives on homelessness and how to work towards a solution.

    Here’s some ideas to help those without homes
    [RE: Here’s what Citrus Heights police said about homelessness in their live Q&A; July 25th] Sitting back complaining and expecting these people to hopefully get on track isn’t going to happen by nagging or judging. Nor by calling cops to tell them not to recycle our recycle bins or letting them sleep along the side of a creek. 

    These types of fixes result in multiple encounters, causing law enforcement to put them in jail — a place that is already too full. And this is just a silly reason for our taxes to fund their in-custody expenses, as odds are they will be in same situation upon release. 

    There has to be away for Citrus Heights residents to all contribute to getting the homeless that break to get out of this survival-mode lifestyle. Whether it be saying “hi,” or taking one you see all the time out to eat when you see them in front of McDonald’s.

    Maybe bag up your household recyclables and pick one of them to give it to, or form a relationship enough to say “hi” when you see them, or maybe even ask them how they’ve been or that you ain’t seen them for awhile. 

    Charity starts at home, so if you live in Citrus Heights, then Citrus Heights is your home as well as everyone else that resides there. Everything else that has been tried just don’t seem to be enough, so what the heck, give them your recyclables. Fight for them, not against them! One’s life can change as long as they are alive to make those changes! Build support one safe step at a time
    -Jennifer Garcia, Sacramento

    No magic answer for homelessness
    [RE: Here’s what Citrus Heights police said about homelessness in their live Q&A; July 25th] I don’t think there will be a magical answer to solving the homeless problems and I really am disappointed in our homeless population, with their open drug and alcohol use and paraphernalia that they leave behind.

    However, I know that there won’t be a solution without asking and inviting us to your meetings. You might be surprised if you did. Most of us are not criminals. I understand people don’t want to know or be seen with homeless people because of their jobs and neighbors won’t like it. But if you are serious, try getting the word out and start inviting us to your meetings. Otherwise, I know you’re never going to find a real solution.
    -Craig Douglas Hoppe, homeless in Citrus Heights

    It’s hard to get off the streets
     [RE: Here’s what Citrus Heights police said about homelessness in their live Q&A; July 25th] I’ve worked with the Homeless Navigator in Citrus Heights and the resource she gave me was the same thing you can do yourself. I think a lot of the problem is due to the fact that to rent a place here they want you to have perfect credit, perfect rental history, perfect everything. They also want an ungodly amount of money as a deposit to move in, and that’s having perfect everything! If you have a bad blemish on your credit report or an illegal eviction, they won’t give you the time of day and every time it’s another fee to apply.

    Why not make it so people can actually afford to move into decent place? Living on the street is hard, expensive, and at times dangerous. You have to be worried about being rolled up on, and where to find water and bathrooms that are open, where to shower, everything. It drains you both physically and mentally.
    -Tracy Cruz, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your thoughts on homelessness in Citrus Heights?Click here to submit a letter to the editor for publication.

  • LETTERS: Idiots, homeless, speed bumps, Sunrise Mall

    Speed Bump,
    File photo, a speed bump on Mariposa Avenue near Antelope Road serves to slow down drivers. // CH Sentinel

    Latest letters from residents in Citrus Heights address Councilman Bret Daniel’s controversial remarks on homelessness, as well as speed humps and the future of Sunrise Mall.

    Councilman’s comments on homeless were out of line
    [RE: No, homeless aren’t ‘idiots.’ They need our help; Letters, July 11th] I read the letter from another resident concerning what one of our city council member’s said: Get the homeless idiots out of our city. This guy should not be in charge of any city.

    Homelessness is not a choice for many living on our streets. The few that are the cause of most incidents involving homeless problems are known to police. Don’t be so sure about the comments of the idiot who said… Homeless people are the idiots. You’re the idiot, sir!
    -Lori Gilbert, Citrus Heights

    Speed humps needed on Mariposa Avenue
    [RE: City continues multi-million dollar roadway upgrades near Citrus Heights schools; July 4th] The sidewalks are nice, however people ignore the stop signs on Mariposa Ave. I think it’s time to put speed humps at each stop sign, as this will slow down the stop sign runners.
    -Leon Barrow, Citrus Heights

    Sunrise Mall should be modeled after Folsom Palladio
    [RE: City indicates future of Sunrise Mall could include residential-commercial mix; July 7th] It is my belief that the future of the Sunrise Mall and MarketPlace would be a great benefit to the community if it was to be developed into a carbon copy of the Folsom Palladio.
    – Kelly Dunn-Goligowski, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue in Citrus Heights? Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

  • LETTER: Mixed-use is the best way to reduce Citrus Heights traffic congestion

    Letter submitted by Orangevale resident Mark Dempsey–
    Several letter writers protest apartments “behind Raley’s” and at Sunrise Mall, and given the experience of sprawl development and modern “planning” (barely a suggestion), one can’t blame them.

    Nevertheless, if there’s a pedestrian connection (not acres of asphalt) to the Mall itself, it could revive what is clearly some declining commerce (check out the vacancies for yourself). Mixed use “lifestyle” centers that put residences next to commercial development make as much as 50% more than standard, single-use sprawl commercial development (per square foot). People, particularly the elderly, love them.

    One letter writer wishes for wider streets. This is conventional thinking about street design: it means less congestion if you get wider streets. It’s just not an effective solution.

    EDITORIAL: Citrus Heights traffic is terrible. Could this be a solution?

    The Southern California Association of Governments (that region’s equivalent of SACOG) mathematically modeled all kinds of congestion remedies, up to and including double-decking the freeways. Their conclusion: only one solution made a significant impact in reducing congestion: Mixed use.

    The problem with widening roads is called “induced demand.” People hear about the wider road and start commuting on that road… and soon the congestion is exactly the same as before the widening… only we don’t get a multi-million dollar refund of the widening costs when that “solution” doesn’t work.

    Better to make local shopping centers multi-story, mixed use than applying the same sprawl remedies repeatedly, hoping for a different outcome.

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue in Citrus Heights? Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

  • LETTER: No, homeless aren’t ‘idiots.’ They need our help

    Letter submitted by Orangevale resident Roger Jackson–
    [RE: Here’s what the 2019 homeless count in Citrus Heights found; July 7th] I am very angry that you have Councilman Bret Daniels as one of your community leaders. What he said regarding the homeless, to “get those idiots out of here,” is very disrespectful.

    He needs to go homeless for a while and then see what he has to say. There are many reasons for homelessness. We know all the reasons. What we don’t know is the solution.

    It requires money and paid-for services, not demeaning our citizens any further. We need to not criminalize them, but to grab them by the hand and offer what we want to.

    What we can do: obviously housing, food, medical, sanitation are just a few. Come on, there is a solution to this problem.

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue in Citrus Heights? Click here to submit a letter to the editor.