Letters: Gem was a gem

Correction

In his news story last week about the use of licence-plate-recognition technology by local police agencies, Jon Campbell referred to a dissenting opinion in a GPS case by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. In fact, it was a concurring opinion. We regret the mistake.

Gem was a gem

Having just moved to San Diego, we’ve been catching up on the theater scene here. On Feb. 13, we saw Gem of the Ocean at the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. We went with some trepidation given David Coddon’s negative review—“achingly, deliberately paced” [“Theater,” Feb. 6].

Instead, we found a well-shaped, well-paced production with a uniformly excellent cast that did August Wilson’s superb language proud. While Mr. Coddon correctly praises Antonio Johnson’s performance, he wrongly implies that the rest of the cast is somehow deficient, and nothing could be further from the truth. This is a fine ensemble of talented actors, well-directed, who keep Wilson’s dense language moving with great effect.

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Benedetti, Downtown

Finance the Park publicly

Thoughtful open letter to Irwin Jacobs [“Spin Cycle,” Feb. 13]. Consensus is a heck of a thing; great leaders are usually consensus builders in politics and in business. Perhaps we can achieve consensus on a way forward for Balboa Park.

Upgrading the park for 2015, while a noble goal, misses the point. The park needs a facelift, and we should find a way to fund that facelift within the parameters of reasonable understanding based on something we can all agree is good for San Diego.

I’ve always admired Dr. Jacobs’ willingness to share his wealth with the city; however, I believe that we’re making too much of his disappointment with the judge’s ruling and the seeming fallout with other wealthy residents of our fair city. While philanthropy is good for the city, perhaps this project is one that should be donor neutral. Let’s move with a plan that works for all and let the taxpayer pay for it. This is a better investment of taxpayer funds than building a new stadium for the Chargers.

Tom Graham, Rancho Bernardo

An easy job

Regarding your Feb. 13 “Spin Cycle” column about the parking in the park, why can’t we just put up some planters so cars go around the fountain in one lane each way—just block access to parking with barriers or planters. I don’t see how everything in this town is a project. City crews could do this on an overnighter, then cover the lot with Astroturf or something. Methinks there are stronger powers holding this project up.

Joe Strusienski, Downtown

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