Signal Hill

Re "4 new rivals, same old ideas," Opinion, Nov. 3 I absolutely agree with Jerry Roberts' and Phil Trounstine's assessment of the candidates for the upcoming governor's race. As a young Democratic voter, I looked forward to casting my vote for Gavin Newsom. What California needs right now is a leader with a fresh voice that speaks to the younger generation. Newsom was that voice, and he could've brought out a seemingly unattainable younger vote. He proved his commitment to us as mayor of San Francisco, and many of us anticipated his continuing with the same fervor in the governor's seat.

Headed to LACMA to catch the "Pompeii and the Roman Villa" exhibit before it closes Oct. 4? Before you go, put a bottle of this crisp, minerally white from Italy's Campania region (that's Naples/Pompeii and environs) in the fridge to break open when you come home. Served well-chilled, it's refreshing with notes of citrus rind and white pepper. Incidentally, Falanghina is the name of the grape. It's terrific with spaghetti alle vongole , which goes together really quickly. Enjoy it with grilled fish or shrimp too, for easy summer drinking.

School trustees voted Monday to place a parcel tax on the November ballot. The measure, if approved by a two-thirds majority, would raise $11.5 million annually for five years with the goal of offsetting reduced state funding for schools. Individual property owners within Long Beach Unified would pay $92 per parcel. Voters in the state's third-largest school system have previously approved two local school construction bonds that remain on the tax rolls. Money from the two construction bonds cannot be used to pay for ongoing operations, unlike the parcel tax. The sales pitch to voters will include the district's being recognized as one of the more successful urban school systems.

Re "Illegal immigrants again in the budget spotlight," July 10 Why is it that during times of economic crisis, the most vulnerable are blamed? What about those of the legal population committing welfare fraud, Medicare fraud and Social Security fraud? These vulnerable workers do pay taxes. When they purchase items, they are paying sales tax. We cannot underestimate the significance of contributions these illegal immigrants make to the farming/agricultural/food processing/packaging business.

A Signal Hill construction company has come under investigation for leveling 10 acres of salt marsh, dumping asphalt and unearthing a former city dump near the Los Cerritos Wetlands at the mouth of the San Gabriel River. Long Beach officials Friday issued a stop-work order against 2H Construction, after residents complained that the company was tearing up wetlands.

Long Beach is going to the dogs. And as they knock on doors around there and in nearby Cerritos, Seal Beach and Signal Hill in an usual hunt for canine scofflaws, about the only excuse authorities haven't heard yet is that Fido ate the license notice. Animal control workers are going house-to-house in search of unlicensed dogs in what is turning into an unusual census of the area's dog population.

Re "It's Obama," Nov. 5 I am a 38-year-old black male. For all my life, I have considered myself an American. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, for the first time, I am finally convinced that America agrees with me. Brian Thompson Signal Hill -- Today, for the first time in my adult life, I am afraid to be an American. Charlotte Sale Placentia -- Re "Women, interrupted," Opinion, Nov. 9 Vivian Gornick correctly points out that during the presidential campaign, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was "solely, repeatedly, insultingly [attacked]

Let me get this straight. DeWayne Walker can't get a job as a head coach and the majority of Times readers think it's because he hasn't earned a spot. If only he could get fired from two jobs under a cloud of controversy, the UCLA job would have been his. Maybe he could've led an uber-talented offense through an under-achieving season and he'd be at Washington. Or if he could have coached Notre Dame through years of big wins over Air Force and none over a ranked team, he would be getting a vote of confidence.