A day celebrating the power of girls

Editor: We had a day to learn that girls can do everything boys can do, because we are equal, but different in some ways.

Girls are spirited, awesome leaders, adventurous, powerful, beautiful and inspirational.

Girls are more than what you see on the outside. We are three members of Girl Scout Troop 1503 here in Lodi. We believe that everyone is different in their own way, but we should treat everyone with kindness.

We are as strong as boys. We camp as well or even better than most boys.

We want everyone to know all that a girl can do. JULIE LOWREY, KAYLEE TERESI, HOLLY WILSON Lodi

The significance of Memorial Day

Editor: The Memorial Day gathering at Cherokee Memorial Park a few days ago was a beautiful and memorable event. With hundreds of American flags placed near so many of our heroes from the Lodi area it was a day of much reflective thinking.

The attentive crowd seated to hear the speakers, and to enjoy the day enthusiastically clapped and cheered when the Gold Star Mothers and us old military veterans were asked to stand and be recognized. I must add that the cemetery grounds were immaculate and the volunteers and staff were most polite and helpful.

The following day the Lodi News-Sentinel covered the events with wonderful photos and words. Let’s hope that our citizens of all ages understand the deep significance of Memorial Day.

I have one major concern. On that vital and solemn day the platform should have had more than three special people who spoke superbly. The presence of many of our local city and county and school officials, of more military personnel and motivated young people would have been welcomed and even expected. ART JOHNS Lodi

Look at pensions of elected officials

Editor: I read the column by Dan Waters about pensions and the other about Social Security in the Lodi paper on May 30.

My opinion is why don’t you talk about the pensions that Governor Brown is getting first for governor, second for being the former mayor of Oakland and now again for governor. Three pensions.

What about some of the senators and congressmen that are drawing pensions for only working four years while the state workers and teachers work until they are 65 or older?

Brown has done nothing good for California. He calls us idiots if we don’t like the gas taxes. What did he do with the taxes we were paying that were for the highways? And now he is raising car registration fees and cigarette taxes $2 a pack.

I wrote to Rep. Jerry McNerney and never got any answer asking him why he doesn’t help the citizens of California.

We need to look at the pensions these congressmen and senators are making. KATHERINE BITTNER Stockton

Governor’s mansion should be open to public

Editor: It amazed me that Jerry Brown moved into the old governor’s mansion in 2015 without a challenge from state historians.

The old mansion was designated a historical park and museum since Reagan moved out in 1967. Now, Californians are deprived of an opportunity to tour the landmark and learn about the legacies of past governors like Hiram Johnson and Earl Warren. He mentioned some rooms might be left open to the public but that hasn’t happened.

While the idea sounds ridiculous of not letting our governor live in the mansion, the sticky questions remain of damaging relics or altering valuable historic documents. It was given to Californians to learn from and appreciate, but now it’s been taken back. I think some legislation should be in order to evict the current tenant. BILL GRAHAM Salinas