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Category: Letters to the Editor

  • LETTERS: homeless, stop signs, Sunrise Mall, event center

    Latest letters to the editor from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include comments regarding the city’s efforts to help homeless, a recommendation to make Sunrise Mall an indoor event center, and a request for a new four-way stop on Van Maren Lane.

    Sunrise Mall would make a great indoor event center
    Our family has lived in Citrus Heights for 53 years. All of us attended local schools and graduated from San Juan High, so we remember when the Mall was built and we have all avidly shopped at Sunrise Mall all these years. It is located 5 minutes from my and our mom’s house. My first two jobs out of high school were at Sunrise.

    This mall is very important to our community, and I fear the loss of it would be devastating. Yes, the loss of Sears didn’t hit just Sunrise Mall, but most malls. That empty building needs to find a use and quick. It should be turned into an ‘Event Center’. For example, when it is raining, the Farmers Market can be held inside, and once people are ‘inside’ the mall, they might run pick up that pair of shoes they have been meaning to buy for that special occasion.

    There used to be so many activities at the Mall that brought people there. It was a central meeting spot. As teens, we would all go to the movie theater to see ‘Jaws’, ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, etc., and then afterward head over to Farrells for some taffy and ice cream! Then, after that you might head behind the mall to the Sunrise Rollerland! There were ‘good clean fun’ things you could do all day long!

    I have created a website for us to share of memories and pictures and hopes for the future of Sunrise Mall. So please feel free to join for our ‘Locals’ or those who that may have moved away but still have fond memories to share: www.facebook.com/groups/SaveSunriseMall/
    -Barbara Morarity-Van Dyke, Citrus Heights/Fair Oaks

    Homeless Navigator program comes with problems
    The homeless navigator and Citrus Heights police I feel are really putting on a bad show to pacify a good image. Not one homeless person I have asked (100 or so) would have any problem with giving Toni due credit. But the realty is she hasn’t helped.

    It hasn’t got nothing at all to do with confidential issues. Not one homeless person would be shamed by receiving any help from the navigator, or police, or the City of Citrus Heights. I don’t want help personally, but most of the homeless would. How do you get the clothes from your clothing drive? That never gets to any of us either?

    Two types of homeless is straight-up nonsense: you’re in a home or you’re out here get pushed away and harassed by police. I didn’t want to write this, but you keep on telling story after story about the navigator. I’m sure she wants to be excelling at her job, but she can’t with her available resources.

    I’m sure I’ll be a target now and should hide, but it’s your city tax dollars that are not being accounted correctly. I know that you want to really know the truth, ask any homeless person in Citrus Heights, please. I’m not leaving and I won’t be quit now either. I believe the navigator’s heart is in the right place, but she don’t have the support.
    –Craig Douglas Hoppe, homeless in Citrus Heights

    Related: What does the Citrus Heights homeless navigator do?

    Van Maren Lane needs a new signal or stop sign
    I would like to see a signal light or stop signs (to create a 4-way stop) on Van Maren Lane at Kittery Avenue/Campfire Way to allow pedestrians to cross safely. This would also be safer for vehicles when slowing/stopping to turn onto Kittery/Campfire. Van Maren Lane raises height at Kittery/Campfire and becomes two lanes at that point, heading towards Auburn Boulevard. The only other (3-way) stop along Van Maren is at Calvin Drive. A secondary stop on Van Maren Lane would/should also calm speeders who constantly drive over the speed limit. I would also like to see the faded white bike lane strip repainted all the way down Van Maren Lane!
    -Mary Florentine, Citrus Heights

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

  • LETTER: City should spend more money on repaving Citrus Heights roads

    LETTER: City should spend more money on repaving Citrus Heights roads

    Letter submitted by Citrus Heights resident Franco Rozic–
    [RE: Why isn’t gas tax money going to repave major streets in Citrus Heights? June 13th, Q&A]When will the southern leg of Lichen Drive be resurfaced? It is crumbling apart and it’s hard to imagine any other residential street being in worse condition.

    Also, I think the city needs to think of ways to raise more income for road maintenance, because the SB 1 funding clearly isn’t going to be nearly enough. Roseville Road needs a re-engineering project and a repave to match the Roseville city section of it. A southbound turn lane at Whyte Avenue and Roseville Road would be helpful too, to start it off in pieces.

    Maybe we need more Democrats on the City Council. You need to spend money to attract money to your city. It’s not all about just saving money and keeping taxes low as possible.
    -Franco Rozic, Citrus Heights

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

  • LETTER: We need a sports complex at Sylvan Corners, not more housing

    LETTER: We need a sports complex at Sylvan Corners, not more housing

    Sylvan Corners, Citrus Heights
    File photo, Sylvan Corners.

    Letter submitted by Citrus Heights resident Marsha Candela–
    [RE: City votes to buy 11-acre site at Sylvan Corners for $3.43M; May 30th]We don’t need more homes at Sylvan Corners. I have lived in the established Sylvan Park development for 43 years and have raised five children in my home and now have seven grandchildren that live nearby and enjoy the open spaces and sports fields provided by that plot of land.

    It breaks my heart that the City of Citrus Heights cares more about development for profit, than it cares for the needs of the local children. The City of Roseville has wonderful sports complexes for the youth, and we should be ashamed that Citrus Heights does not even come close to Roseville’s facilities.

    This plot of land should be developed into a sports complex, NOT more housing! For crying out loud… we are overcrowded in this town enough. We still fail to make Auburn Boulevard presentable and have not handled homelessness.

    Our fine city should focus on the children’s needs for sports outlet and keep more open space for everyone’s mental health rather than turning a profit. Please don’t jam more people into our community at Sylvan Corners.
    -Marsha Candela, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your thoughts on how the old Sylvan Middle School site should be developed? Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

  • More Letters: Sunrise Mall, homeless shelter, Sylvan Corners

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights residents continue discussion about homelessness and future development at Sylvan Corners and Sunrise Mall.

    Turn the old Sears building into a homeless shelter
    Cities inefficiently spend millions to shelter a tiny fraction of the homeless. For the Sears ground floor level, go on Craigslist and buy dozens of used travel trailers at $5-10,000 each. They have a queen bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, etc.

    On the lower and upper Sears floors, build hundreds of simple, comfortable cubicles. The City of Citrus Heights can provide on-site life-improvement services. This could completely centralize our homeless issues, and include surrounding communities. Federal funds are available to reduce the operating cost. A rather cost-effective, smart, efficient, manageable way to address an elusive issue.
    -John Bain, Citrus Heights

    Here’s how to make Sunrise Mall great again
    We all know how online shopping and Roseville’s Galleria have taken a hit to Sunrise Mall, but we can get people back to the Sunrise by making it an experience that will make people come. Like making Sears an outdoor water park, adding VR to a stand, building a Chick-fil-A in the mall’s parking lot, rent lots to make offices, adding a 12-screen theater with 8K and nice seats. Adding new shops, like Forever 21, and even adding a buffet. There are a lot of opportunities with land.
    -Andy Garcia, Citrus Heights

    Roseville Galleria is thriving, why can’t Sunrise Mall?
    I totally agree with Deena Crawford regarding the Sunrise Mall. The mall has been “dying” for years and the owners nor the Citrus Heights Board seem to care. This mall, if remodeled correctly, would be such a boom to Citrus Heights and the surrounding areas.

    The Roseville Galleria and The Fountains are thriving. Why can’t the new owners look at those malls and take what they have done right and update our mall? It would be very sad if this mall were to disappear. A lot of businesses have left Citrus Heights with so many buildings left vacant. Why? I think the board needs to have a frank discussion as to why businesses are leaving and determine a solution.
    -Linda DiBernardo, Citrus Heights

    My message to fellow homeless
    This is a question to you homeless people who can’t figure out why people are against you. You leave your trash camps and your drug paraphernalia every where you sleep. You steal anything you want and fight with each other all hours of the day or night. Then you wonder why no one wants you around. Hmmmmm! By the way, I am homeless and you all make me embarrassed to admit that.
    -Craig Douglas Hoppe, Citrus Heights

    Sylvan Corners lot would be great for a sports complex
     I think it would be a great idea for the community and our future children to have a really good sports complex for soccer and baseball at the old Sylvan Middle School lot. Maybe even volleyball. Have bathrooms and a good snack stand to raise money. That would be the best thing to improve the area, plus, we don’t have anything like that really for the kids.
    -Natlie Wardelman, 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: Sunrise Mall redevelopment ideas

    LETTERS: Sunrise Mall redevelopment ideas

    File photo, a “Dream Stadium” in 2015 set up in the Sunrise Mall parking lot featured a series of professional tennis matches. // CH Sentinel

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers offer suggestions and ideas for redeveloping Sunrise Mall, following news that the city is pursuing a General Plan amendment to guide future development activity in the mall area.

    This is what would draw shoppers back to Sunrise Mall
    [RE: City drops proposed 45-day ban on development at Sunrise Mall; May 26th]As malls seem to be emptying out and losing businesses across our nation, it seems pretty easy to me that those properly located malls, as the Sunrise Mall is, need to be more than just shopping. They need to be destinations where people want to spend a portion of their day being entertained.

    So with that in mind, here are a few things that I believe would draw money paying people back into the Sunrise Mall. Indoor water park (Sears), 14 screen movie theater (maybe in the women’s Macy’s when they close, like they did with the old Mervyn’s in Roseville), art galleries, live theatre, restaurants (not a food court), indoor park, ice rink, a tram from north to south inside, and bars. There are so many things that could be brought to the table to consider.
    -Douglas L. Eatough, Citrus Heights

    Sunrise Mall redevelopment should look to Madrid, Spain
    Regarding the development of Sunrise Mall, I wish they would consider the type of building I have lived in in Madrid. The building had six floors of large apartments, two apartments to an elevator. The ground floor had the building manager’s apartment and several businesses.

    There was a food store, a liquor store, a bakery., etc. It worked well because everything you needed was close and similar buildings close by had businesses too. Parking was underground. The apartments had beautiful views and felt very safe and well maintained with the manager on site. Just an idea.
    –Clara McCoy, Citrus Heights

    Sunrise Mall should learn from the Roseville Galleria
    Make it just like the Galleria or the Folsom Palladio. Most of us drive right by the mall to go shop, go to the movies and eat in the Galleria or Palladio area. If you build it, people will come!
    –Dominick Adorno, Fair Oaks

    Here’s what Sunrise Mall could use
    An outdoor amphitheater, which can also be used for previously run tennis tournaments. Updated movie theater. Use the Sears building for indoor mini-golf, arcade, laser tag, play area for 4 years and under, climbing jungle gym with tree house and slide, adult room with pool tables, darts and ping pong, hip restaurants.
    –Bridget Zschokke, Citrus Heights

    Also on The Sentinel: Guest Opinion: Sunrise Mall doesn’t have to die.

    Want to share your own thoughts about the future of Sunrise Mall? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTER: Concrete strip makes turn lane near Kohl’s impossible to navigate safely

    A Google Streetview image shows a narrow entrance to a turn lane on San Juan Avenue in Citrus Heights.

    Letter submitted by Craig D. Allen–
    If you’re going north on San Juan Avenue towards Greenback Lane, the left-hand turn cut-out going into the Kohl’s parking lot is impossible to make going the speed limit or even half the speed limit. It looks like at some point they reversed a southbound left turn lane to a northbound left turn lane without redesigning it, causing the opening to be only two lengths long.

    So many cars have hit the concrete island that it has worn down. All the city needs to do is grind down this 8-inch wide sliver of concrete for 20 feet or so in order to make it a safe road, but so far only crickets out of city hall on when they might fix this.

    The Sentinel’s policy is to publish every letter that comes in. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: Citrus Heights roads, Middleton lawsuit

    LETTERS: Citrus Heights roads, Middleton lawsuit

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers address the condition of local roads, as well as Councilwoman Porsche Middleton’s legal fight with the city.

    City should prioritize repaving major roadways
    [RE: Here’s the list of streets Citrus Heights is slated to repave in the next year; May 4th] Our main avenues through our cities are embarrassing, Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue. Many drivers use these roads to get to Folsom and Roseville; take a look at their roads, the upkeep is superior to ours.

    I know we don’t have the tax base those cities have, but something has to be done to improve the main veins our traffic travels. Our vehicles are paying the price, not to mention our wallets. As always we pay more and get less.
    -Rod Gonzales, Fair Oaks

    Section of Van Maren Lane worse than unpaved roads
    [RE: Here’s the list of streets Citrus Heights is slated to repave in the next year; May 4th] Van Maren Lane from Kittery to Auburn Boulevard is worse than some unpaved roads I’ve driven. Can’t imagine why it’s not on this list of roads to be repaired/repaved.
    -Ted Pendlebury, Citrus Heights

    City’s election spat with Middleton was ridiculous
    [RE: City of Citrus Heights ordered to pay $15k over election spat with Middleton; May 4th] For the city manager to determine that Middleton’s title was unacceptable, to me, was egregious. That is putting it lightly, because I am sure we all have our suspicions as to the real reason this attempt to block Middleton was made. But what it came down to is, the people of our city responded, showing that we would not sit by and allow this ridiculous act to stand.

    I am proud to have voted for Middleton, I made sure to be there when she was sworn in. If anything, the city manager’s office shed a light on their pettiness, giving Middleton an even bigger stage to prove she was the best candidate for the job.
    -Erin Darby Spencer, Citrus Heights

    The Sentinel’s policy is to publish every letter that comes in. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTER: Citrus Heights navigator helped keep me from becoming homeless

    LETTER: Citrus Heights navigator helped keep me from becoming homeless

    Toni Morgan, homeless navigator, citrus heights
    File photo, Toni Morgan is the city’s homeless navigator in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    Letter submitted by former Citrus Heights resident Renah S. Wall–
    [RE: What does the Citrus Heights homeless navigator do? March 28th] When I first received Toni Morgan’s card, I felt the same way: what does the navigator do?

    I was still living in my home about to become homeless when Toni provided me with a list of drug and alcohol abuse programs. Most of the numbers on the list were impossible to get into. They required money, something a homeless person is likely not to have.

    Related article: What does the Citrus Heights homeless navigator do?

    Toni first had me sign papers, she said the next step, “I need income.” My health was in no condition to work. Toni had me meet with a disability lawyer and soon I received SSI and SSDI.

    I now live in Eureka, I have been off meth over seven months and have over two months tobacco free.

    I am 36, and — for the first time since I was 13 — I am drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.

    I have taken care of all my legal matters, my traffic tickets, working on Revenue Recovery. I now have my Drivers License, I graduate my AOD classes April 3rd.

    LETTER: I’m homeless, and the ‘Navigator program’ in Citrus Heights isn’t working

    I am current on my child support and I see my boys every weekend and will soon share custody with my ex-husband. Not only do I see them every weekend, we go to movies, bowling, shopping at the Mall, and often out to eat.

    I call Toni Morgan often to check in and give her my updates. Also, I like to ask about my favorite officer, James Evans.

    The Sentinel’s policy is to publish every letter that comes in. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: sidewalks in Citrus Heights, gas taxes, Sunrise Mall…

    Latest letters from Sentinel readers include further ideas on whether Sunrise Mall should be renovated or replaced, as well as comments about gas taxes, roads and sidewalks.

    Sunrise Mall should be renovated, not torn down
    [RE: Future of Sunrise Mall, proposed apartment complex; Letters, March 14th]  I knew something like this was coming. Disgusting. And they are building new homes in area of Arcadia to Fair Oaks. All these new residents and current residents will be shopping in neighboring cities, not Citrus Heights. How can this be good for our city? I want to shop at our own local mall. Sunrise Mall needs to be renovated, not torn down.
    -Denise Mason, Citrus Heights

    A new hospital would be good replacement for Sunrise Mall
    [RE: Future of Sunrise Mall, proposed apartment complex; Letters, March 14th] Regarding the Sunrise Mall, I would love to see a new Kaiser Hospital built in that location. We have a Kaiser in Arden area, Downtown, Folsom and Roseville. It would be nice to have a new hospital so you don’t have to wait two weeks for an appointment. The hospital would be convenient and bring lots of jobs and the restaurants in the area would be extremely busy. Just a thought…
    -Janet Moncado, Fair Oaks

    Gas taxes should only go to roads
    [RE: Guest Column: Even with new gas tax, there’s still not enough money for roads; March 21st]  If you remember back about 10 years ago, we had a gas tax that was committed primarily to roads. When the state government got in financial trouble, the gas tax was cut in half and the other half was called an excise tax to be used any way the state wanted. So with just half the money available, our roads suffered. That excise tax remains today. That’s why so many residents were against the new gas tax. The excise tax needs to be returned to roads, not the general fund. After 10 years of being underfunded, our roads will take years to recover their proper condition.
    -Alan Utzig, Citrus Heights

    Lack of sidewalks on San Juan is dangerous
    I’ve lived on San Juan Avenue for nearly nine years. The east side of San Juan, from Madison to Greenback, needs sidewalks. It isn’t safe to walk in the bike lanes. Kids often walk home from school and there have been several people hit on that side of the street. When is the city going to put in sidewalks?
    -Robin Gage, Citrus Heights

    The Sentinel’s policy is to publish every letter that comes in. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: proposed apartment complex, future of Sunrise Mall

    LETTERS: proposed apartment complex, future of Sunrise Mall

    SummerHills apartments Citrus Heights
    A rendering shows how a proposed 22-unit apartment complex would look behind Raleys. // Source: Planning Division website

    Latest letters and comments from Sentinel readers address plans for a 22-unit apartment complex behind Raley’s, and the future of Sunrise Mall.

    By Melissa Jastraub, Citrus Heights–
    [RE: 22-unit apartment complex proposed behind Citrus Heights Raley’s; March 9th]  The lot is way too small to build a 22-complex apartment building. It will bring down the property value of homes in the area and will cause a lot of traffic going in and out of the neighborhood. Overall, it isn’t a very good idea and my neighbors and I do not agree with it. Thanks for reading.

    Other Letter(s):

    By Joel Dyer, Citrus Heights–
    [RE: City’s new hire seeks to boost business in Citrus Heights; Feb. 28th] Regarding the empty commercial spaces, what would be nice is to have a new indoors RV storage area. There is such a demand for this and to utilize part of the Sunrise Mall to fulfill this need would be profitable.

    From Facebook:

    Janet B. — 22 families living on that corner would bring a lot more traffic to that neighborhood, to say nothing of the possibility of more noise and crime.

    Steve B. — Seems like a lot of new development planning is going on? Do you think Citrus Heights will be proactive on building wider streets (Antelope, Auburn Blvd, and Sunrise) or let us all suffer for years? It’s obvious the city is going to need to confiscate people’s property to make bigger streets. The three streets I mentioned will need no less than one more lane each direction added. It’s already a nightmare. Bringing in more people is going to cause so much inconvenience to us all, unless the city is proactive. Government is usually reactive, so I think we are screwed.

    Want to comment on development in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here