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Category: Letters to the Editor

  • More Letters: Cannabis tax, firefighters, sound walls

    More Letters: Cannabis tax, firefighters, sound walls

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include comments defending the firefighter fundraiser at Sunrise/Greenback, and sharing various perspectives on sound walls and a potential cannabis tax.

    Firefighters should be commended for burn fundraiser
    [RE: Citrus Heights Letters: firefighters, marijuana, alcohol; Feb. 9th]  Mr. Taylor, you’re correct firefighters make a decent living. They work long hours, all day and all night. They work Christmas Day, Easter, and July 4th. And they do have this once-a-year event that brings in extra money to the Sacramento Burn Institute. They’re not paid to do this, this is on their own time! Have you ever volunteered to do anything John? Then you’d know that being a volunteer means you’re doing it at your own free will.

    Here’s what I’ll say to you John, take some time out of one of your days off, drive down to the burn ward at UC Davis, walk in there and see one of the burn patients, hopefully it’s not a child, or an infant, or anyone else for that matter, because that may change your outlook to this special “Boot Drive” weekend that happens every February, since firefighters Mike Daw and Forest Raul started sleeping in the basket of Sac Metro Fire’s Truck 21, overlooking the intersection of Greenback and Sunrise in Citrus Heights. This one event brings in tens of thousands of dollars, but along with it teaches kids about fire safety!
    -Mark Mitchell, Citrus Heights

    Who would oppose a firefighter fundraiser?
    I’m appalled that someone would resent the “Fill the Boot” event. Evidently that person has never seen a burn victim. These men and women put their lives on the line every time they enter a burning building trying to save someone else’s life. This event is not held so they can buy a new pool table for the station, its held to help support the burn unit at the hospital.
    Lana Jean Crum, Citrus Heights

    What about ugly wood fences?
    [RE: Citrus Heights eyes improving appearance of sound walls; Feb. 3rd] They want to beautify the sound wall on Sunrise Blvd. What about the ugly wood fences? Why won’t they put in sound walls for them, or beautify them? I even tried to get them to go in halves with me but no, that is my responsibility. So why isn’t it the home owners of the houses with the sound wall’s responsibility to take care of theirs?
    -Jackie Umstead, Citrus Heights

    City is missing out on cannabis tax
    [RE: Citrus Heights Letters: Sound walls, cannabis; Feb. 7th]  The city is missing out on a good amount of money they could be earning from taxes on cannabis. At this point, anybody who wants to purchase any (which is actually quite a lot of people), has to go to a different city or have it delivered. I try to shop local as much as possible. I’ve lived here for almost 50 years now and think Citrus Heights is a great little city.
    -Diane McCarty, Citrus Heights

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  • Citrus Heights Letters: firefighters, marijuana, alcohol

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers comment on the city’s reconsideration of its cannabis ordinance as well as criticize firefighters being allowed to collect donations in the streets.

    Isn’t alcohol more dangerous than cannabis?
    [RE: Citrus Heights Letters: Sound walls, cannabis; Feb. 7th] I recently saw someone post how marijuana has historically caused crime issues. Does the sale of alcohol which has historically caused more death by not only drunk drivers and other instances of drunken stupidity. How many deaths are attributed to cannabis? I find it hypocritical that tobacco and alcohol are sold so freely when they have a higher death rate per capita.
    Rumteen Babaei, Citrus Heights

    Citrus Heights should change rules on cannabis
    For more than seven years local governments in Sacramento County, outside of the City of Sacramento, have chosen to use their authority to obstruct and delay making cannabis products available to their citizens. It’s past time for Citrus Heights to stop dragging its feet and adopt reasonable rules.
    Kenneth Capps, Citrus Heights

    Why do firefighters get to beg in the streets?
    [RE: 2024 ‘Boot for Burns’ fundraiser going on this weekend in Citrus Heights; Feb. 7th]  Every year the intersection of Greenback and Sunrise is clogged up with men in their firefighting gear walking among the cars. This is an event I do not like, as no other charity gets to go out in their working clothes and do the same. Surely the firefighters are paid enough; reminds me of the border crossing at Tijuana. Either allow all the other people seeking money out there or stop this kind of “donation.”
    John Taylor, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Citrus Heights Letters: Sound walls, cannabis

    Citrus Heights Letters: Sound walls, cannabis

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers comment on the city’s Sound Wall Beautification Project, along with consideration of a cannabis tax.

    Sound wall beautification is step in right direction
    [RE: Citrus Heights eyes improving appearance of sound walls; Feb. 3rd]  I just finished reading the article regarding the proposed sound wall beautification project, and though I think it is a step in the right direction, I would really like to see some of the sound walls either replaced or improved, height wise. I live in one of the homes on Sunrise and Larwin and I have trash and other stuff thrown over my fences and found in my backyard quite often. And there is also the noise problem.

    When I bought my house 30 years ago, it was a much less traveled artery on Sunrise, but now there are constant traffic noises all throughout the day and late into the night. They have done such nice work along Greenback Lane and other areas in Citrus Heights, I just wonder why we are not also able to get new sound walls for our properties!
    -Jim Olson, Citrus Heights

    We don’t need more cannabis
    [RE: Citrus Heights to reconsider ban on cannabis businesses in 2024; Jan. 9th]  This sounds like something a politician would dream up. Let’s make money from a source that historically causes crime issues. I think we have enough crime in Citrus Heights without asking for more. Let’s not do that.
    -Laura Belcher, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTER: Kudos to City Council for blocking housing project

    LETTER: Kudos to City Council for blocking housing project

    A prior site map shows where 95 homes were proposed to be built at Sylvan Corners. The final number was reduced to 94, but denied by the City Council earlier in October.

    By Mark Mitchell, Citrus Heights–
    [RE: Stunned by council’s vote against 94-home project; Guest opinion, Oct. 21st]  I myself was stunned too when I saw the Sylvan Corners subdivision being voted down by 3 out of 5 council members. (Thank you Mayor Schaefer, Vice Mayor Daniels, and Councilwoman Karpinski-Costa)

    The writer of the guest opinion that ran on Sunday, a semi-professional General Planning expert, with 12 years experience, may have approved a similar, Cluster Housing Project, at 5555 Mariposa Ave. back in December 2006.

    The Willow Creek Racquet Club was spread over seven acres, on two parcels, in a residential neighborhood. With greedy developers lurking, the Planning Department recommended to the Planning Commission for the City Council to adopt an amendment to change the zoning from “Commercial Recreation/RD-5” to a “Special Planning Area”, which would have consisted of 56 single-family homes, with an option for a 3rd floor bonus room.

    This was all in the name of the “General Plan” for the City! Luckily there were a few members of the City Council, with help through appeals by the Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association, to vote this proposal down. They still approved 46 homes. (Thanks for Nothing)

    So here we go again!! Natalee Price, a big THANK YOU goes out to you, she’s the only member of the current Planning Commission to vote NO. (In my opinion, she should be on our City Council)

    Stay safe,
    Mark Mitchell

    Editor’s note: The Sentinel welcomes guest opinions of any viewpoint. To submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication, click here

  • LETTERS: Housing at Sylvan Corners, EV chargers

    LETTERS: Housing at Sylvan Corners, EV chargers

    Latest letters from Sentinel readers include comments regarding the City Council’s 3-2 vote against a housing development proposed at Sylvan Corners, as well as a response to a guest opinion column on mandating EV charging stations.

    ‌Every corner of town doesn’t need a building on it
    [RE: City Council votes 3-2 against plan for 94 homes at Sylvan Corners; Oct. 15th]  I’ve lived in Citrus Heights for 54 years and just moved 9 years ago into the neighborhood behind where this house development would of been, and I’m against it too. That’s not a good location for houses, especially low income houses. With the school right there we should be building something that supports the whole community, not just 93 people who my live at that corner.

    I raised my children in Citrus Heights, and Citrus Heights needs to clean up what is already here before building more. The Sunrise Mall is darn near a ghost town, we have empty store fronts around town homeless all over. The city needs to fix what’s broken first. Every corner in this town doesn’t need building on it.

    The San Juan School District should of kept that land and made a parking lot for Sylvan Middle School and maybe something to help all these kids running on their own after school, like a Rec Center. The youth center that’s on Sayonara was a good idea back in the day, but a horrible location. We all knew and know what type of neighborhood Sayonara is; painting building didn’t change that neighborhood. Clean up what is here first. Get these out of town developers out of town. Use local contractors and start fixing the problem.
    -Joy Velis, Citrus Heights

    Mandating EV chargers won’t be necessary
    [RE: Citrus Heights should mandate more EV charging stations; Guest Opinion, Oct. 13th]  SMUD offers $79 (after rebate) EV chargers for your garage, I’m not particularly worried about fighting over charging stations if I’m just going back and forth to work and the monthly jaunt to Tahoe or San Francisco. Long lines at gas stations are caused by the average driver not having a gasoline pump in his garage, while in the future we will all have EV chargers in the garage to charge overnight. But I agree with you we will need more charging stations and you will see Shell, Chevron and Arco stations making room for EV chargers. I’ve already seen a few gas stations in Roseville with EV chargers.
    –Rick Garvin, Elverta

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTERS: Traffic, complaints, 94 homes at Sylvan Corners

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers share varying opinions about a 94-home housing development proposed at Sylvan Corners. The City Council on Thursday voted 3-2 to block the proposal, leaving the future of the 11.3-acre site unknown.

    Adjust to change instead of complaining
    [RE: Guest Opinion: 94 homes at Sylvan Corners will be a detriment to Citrus Heights; Oct. 12th]  I always chuckle at the opinions of people that want everything to remain unchanged. We’ve lived in Citrus Heights since 1974 right off Greenback Lane. My boys both went to the original Sylvan Middle School. Yes, there was very little traffic and the entire area was not a very nice part of Sacramento County. From my standpoint, we now live in a well-managed city that has controlled growth quite well. Every change brings challenges, but instead of complaining: adjust. The other alternative would be to move to a different area that’s stagnant. Probably wouldn’t like that either.
    -Laura Belcher, Citrus Heights

    We don’t need Citrus Heights to become another San Jose
    I retired from Silicon Valley and moved here two years ago to experience a slower way of life. I have noticed in just two years how much worse the traffic has gotten. It’s almost like San Jose now. Please don’t let this happen and ruin the slower pace of life in Citrus Heights just so some developer can get rich. Our world is messed up enough right now. Don’t turn this town into another congested San Jose. Thank you!
    -Marie Langley, Citrus Heights

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • LETTER: Why weren’t more citations issued for illegal fireworks?

    Letter by Kay Davis, Citrus Heights–
    I reviewed the police log for July 4th. There were many, many calls for illegal fireworks. However only ONE citation was written. Can someone, somewhere explain what we need to do to get more citations written to these knuckleheads that insist on causing so much frustration, aggravation, stress to so many veterans, animals and small children.

    I for one am so fed up! Will it take me buying a drone and filming these people? I have video from my neighbor who thought my house was on fire. No, it was the idiots behind me setting off illegal fireworks.

    *Editor’s note: The Sentinel’s policy is to publish all letters received, regardless of viewpoint. No other letters on this topic were received as of July 22, 2023. The Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor of 100-250 words in length. To submit one online, click here.

  • LETTERS: Waste separation, $12k bonus

    Latest letters from Citrus Heights residents respond to a recent guest column criticizing new requirements to separate organic waste, as well as comment on a $12,000 payment made to the city manager.

    The ‘experts’ need to get back to drawing board on waste reduction
    [RE: Citrus Heights residents could soon face fines for not sorting waste properly; April 1st] I am always in support in trying to decrease waste accumulation (whether contained, indoor/outdoor- or not). This ‘new’ requirement is really hard to be compliant and meet the expectations. However, (most of us) have come a long way. The whole country learned the ‘in’s and out’s’ of garbage disposal etiquette. If we didn’t -we suffered the consequences, blocked and rotting garbage in the drain pipes and foul odors in our kitchens plus a hefty $ plumber house call. (Not everyone is an ‘in-house plumber’)

    At this point in time it appears that MANY of us are having a difficult time keeping the ‘rot-able’ separated from the more easily disposable’. Think about it; you have a large family, a good-sized group of friends, or unexpected guests—food and waste abound. Dishes/pots/pans plus clean-up is not always clinical.

    Synopsis: Apparently the ‘experts’ did not design this new environmental solution to disposable waste. Maybe getting back to the drawing board AND reality could bring forth some other options to work on this problem.
    -Lynn Avery, Citrus Heights

    It’s easy to spend other people’s money
    [RE: Citrus Heights News Briefs: home sales, $12k payment, obituary; April 15th] Our poor city manager doesn’t get a COLA, so the council is deciding to give out a bonus of 5% of the city managers salary, which taken into consideration, their salary is $240,000 per year, that amounts to a bonus of $12,000. For what? Doing their job? I’m not saying that the city manager isn’t deserving of a bonus, but given the fact that we’re out of the hole and have a surplus of funds, let’s back off the throttle a little bit, and see where we’re at before we start another spending spree. It’s easy to give away and spend other people’s money. Let’s not forget about our failed banking system, that the American taxpayer is having to bail out, again!
    -Mark Mitchell, Citrus Heights

    Other comments received in response to: Guest Opinion: Sorting requirement for food waste is ridiculous.

    Gary H. Hear hear, it’s about time someone with common sense spits back at the politicians. What a JOKE. HOWEVER, Someone has to create a job for the stupid politicians kid,or the young person on drugs. We have to cater to THOSE PEOPLE too, ha ha!

    Robert V. You have hit this nail head on! Well done! Next some politician will want carbon filters on all the cow’s a**** to reduce methane levels.

    Nancy L. When it is composted, much less methane is released. Methane is released when no air can get to the material, however composting mitigates this effect. Organic recycling is not just to reduce methane. It is to help relieve the landfills, the byproducts are used in agriculture which would be lost if all trash went to landfills. There are other benefits of organic waste recycling.

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Citrus Heights Letters: School safety, Republic Services, housing, homeless funds

    Latest letters from Sentinel readers include comments on school safety, messes left by bulk cleanup crews, homeless funding, and the city’s agreement to sell vacant lots on Sayonara Drive for a dollar apiece.

    More police patrols at schools could help
    [RE: Citrus Heights to consider placing police officers at each high school; March 30th] While I think that $2.5 million is a bit high to address the threat of school shootings and concerns about violence, I do think students should be held to higher standards that come from having a law enforcement officer on-campus. Most days when dropping my child off around 8:20 a.m. I see the same male student who can’t be more than 12 leaving school (sometimes with a large group of peers), walking down Lauppe Lane towards Rusch Park in what I assume is a truancy. Mesa Verde is a good school, but you would not believe that if you read all the headlines about the origins of the drug called “Paint” being sold in our communities.

    I feel old complaining about such things, but it truly is a tragedy to see and read such simple things that only a “police state” could enforce on every campus. While I am sure this is the least glamorous work a cop could do, perhaps they could also start filling in as substitute teachers. I am not sure how the metal detectors will need to be placed on campus, but I have complete faith in the system to ensure the money will be well spent to keep our public schools safe!

    Perhaps we can start with a scheduled patrol every school day to address the minimal police presence that is amplifying the erosion of our community. Please consider doing the bare minimum before burdening the cost of another bored school resources officer on tax payers.
    -Marie Abello, Citrus Heights

    Republic Services often leaves mess
    [RE: Republic Services accused of leaving mess after bulk cleanup; March 18th]      The article makes it sound as if it’s uncommon, but the streets in my neighborhood constantly have broken glass spread around after every bulk cleanup. there are no sidewalks in this part of town so it makes walking my dog, or people walking with their children, hazardous. it can usually be weeks before a street sweeper comes by to clean it up.
    -Lester Yocum, Citrus Heights

    Audit of homeless funds needed in Citrus Heights
    [RE: Latest count shows just 89 homeless people in Citrus Heights. Is it accurate?] Lawmakers are finally calling for a audit for the money they’ve been spending on homeless. Too bad they probably will not look at Citrus Heights a few years back when the navigator said she houses 130 people from the streets. That was an election year… There was not any one that they helped. Too bad they won’t look at that. But I’m sure the city council had plenty of campaign signs and funding.
    -Craig Hoppe, Carmichael

    City selling lots for $1 is ridiculous
    [RE: City agrees to sell vacant lots on Sayonara Drive for $1 each. Here’s why; April 8th]     For the City of Citrus Heights sell those lots for $1 each is completely ridiculous those homeowners can turn around and sell those properties after the homes are built for a huge profit this is absolutely ridiculous I don’t care that they’re low income I’m sorry but I am low income as well it’s not easy to survive as a single person in this country or in this city or this area.
    -J. Papotto, Citrus Heights

    *Editor’s note: The Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor of 100-250 words in length. To submit one online, click here.

  • Citrus Heights Letters: Green waste, fines, Republic Services

    Citrus Heights Letters: Green waste, fines, Republic Services

    Editor’s note: These letters were written in response to an article published on April 1, 2023: Citrus Heights residents could soon face fines for not sorting waste properly

    Latest letters to the editor from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers focus attention on Republic Services’ announcement that fines will soon be imposed on repeat violators who improperly sort waste.

    New waste sorting law is ridiculous
    The new law that will start to affect Citrus Heights is ridiculous. Not only are we required to sort garbage, green waste and recycling, but now have a small organics bin to put out each week with food waste. For that initiative, the bags provided were compostable but degrade to quickly so at the end of the week I have rotting food all over my can.

    Recycling is also incredibly confusing for people due to the fact a bottle may not be recyclable but the wrap on that bottle is. No one is going to take the time to separate the two and especially not wash out a peanut butter jar. I think we should go to the Placer County system and recycling and garbage go into one bin. This would also let the neighborhood look nicer as we would all have one less bin on the side of our houses.
    -Dustin Huiting, Citrus Heights

    Nothing wrong with sorting waste?
    Mr. Daniels, you need to take the chip off your shoulder. We are not in high school anymore. Nobody is “pushing you around.” We are looking for ways to better handle our waste. This includes EASILY taking care of sorting our waste so we don’t have to pay more for the disposal of our waste.

    I work hard for my money and would rather spend a little time sorting than pay more for the garbage service to do the same. Please put aside your “hyper-individualism” and start thinking of the community. Thank you.
    -Ken Ruyle, Sacramento

    It’s government overreach to dig through my trash
    I think Republic Services needs to re-think their bidding process for contracts. I shouldn’t have to cover the overage costs, thru fines imposed on customers, because they failed to take into account some people are not going to comply to the S.B. ruling on 100% of separating the trash. Find another way instead of governmental overreach of going thru my trash. Big thumbs down vote on this one.
    -Collier MacCowan, Citrus Heights

    I’m opposed to new waste separation requirement
    Dear public: I oppose the separation of waste material that is required at this time. We live in an area that is very high heat, and the flies and maggots are so abundant that we cannot control them without a high level of insecticide, which then pollute the environment.

    We have not been provided with airtight containers or a means to compost that will eliminate this insect problem. Every week pick up is not sufficient, and we have been given no way of managing the maggots and flies that go around the garbage can. It is really disgusting to have to lift a lid and make sure my hands are not full of maggots. We do a modified separation and put things like coffee, grounds and egg shells into the green waste bin.
    -Cathie DuChene, Citrus Heights

    *Editor’s note: The Sentinel’s policy is to publish all letters received, regardless of viewpoint. No other letters on this topic were received as of March 10, 2023. The Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor of 100-250 words in length. To submit one online, click here.