Mailbag: Seeing a different side of coyotes

In the past three years, my dog and I have had several encounters with coyotes. At times, we’ve been within 20 to 30 feet of them, but at no time did I ever feel threatened. On one occasion, I witnessed a dog interact with two coyotes and walk away unharmed, though I don’t recommend allowing your dog to do this. I am far more afraid of pit bulls off leash than any coyote.

Anyone who lives near coyotes is a fool to have an outdoor cat. Small dogs and small children should never be left unattended in coyote territory. Carry pepper spray just in case you encounter an aggressive coyote. We should live and let live.

Sam Pinterpe

Huntington Beach

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Hold applause on senior center

Optimism that the new developer of Pacific City, Crescent Heights, may step up with $22 million for the proposed senior center in Huntington Central Park may be premature (“New hope for senior center,” Dec. 1). Unless some sweetheart backroom deal is in the works (as was the case with previous developer, Makar), the Quimby Act “in-lieu” fees from the project will depend upon the residential construction that is part of the mixed use project. If the condo component is downscoped, the “in-lieu” fees would be correspondingly reduced. That is my understanding. As the article states, “the original $22-million amount may change.”

Approving any EIR on the project, including the downsized revision of the senior center project anticipating a downscoping, seems premature until the entire amount of the Quimby Act funds are known. Right now, it is all speculation. In addition, all of the senior center costs, including the environmentals, have not been nailed down (and will remain moving targets until construction time is nearing). Citizens should hold backers of the senior center project to their promise that not “a dime” of taxpayer money would be spent on construction of the project. Measure T, allegedly providing public-approval cover for the project, barely squeaked through. The first EIR was widely considered inadequate.

The city should not be continually putting the cart before the horse on the project. The public is already being taken for a ride as it is.

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach

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A sweet tune to this ‘ballad’

A writer was rummaging through a vintage abandoned, deteriorating church one day, and amid the human debris that had accumulated over the years was a spray-painted message on a wall reading, “I love Taylor Walsh” (“The ballad of Taylor Walsh,” In the Pipeline,” Dec. 1).

The writer became temporarily focused on the message, an obscure item that the rest of us would have overlooked or ignored. He decided to bring this message out into the daylight. There was something about it that his curious mind decided he wanted to share with his world. Because he did this, it reopened two stories about two people, each with a special calling.

Daniel, a young high school graduate, had developed a strong fascination with old buildings and the ghosts that inhabit them. He continues this unusual “searching” today. Taylor recently moved to Ghana, having decided to devote her life to missionary work with disadvantaged people. What Daniel will do with his “searchings” and what fate awaits Taylor in Ghana are yet two more stories to be told.

Who knows? Another Ceram? Another Goodall? All because of a writer’s observation. That’s what writers do.

Richard D. Reinbolt

Huntington Beach