Lower speed limit on the river

Editor: It’s time to lower the speed limit on the river due to congestion and it just makes sense. Erosion along the river banks that the WID has caused as a direct result of their increasing the water level by a foot or so is another primary reason.

The old dam’s level was in place for many years and working well for both farms and the residence along the river. I think restricting the speed from the Highway 99 bridge to Lodi Lake to 5 mph would not only be safer for the recreational activities but the erosion would be much less. The city also spent an extravagant amount of money on an ADA boat launch ramp that not only is too short (your trailer ends up dropping off when you launch) but the dock’s length is inadequate and its poor design allows those who kayak or whatever to get caught under it.

The old dock had tires in place that would prevent that. The design is poorly thought out and not very user-friendly. The next river investment should be a launch ramp at the Highway 99 RV park to allow the boats to launch at that location, but the RV park should make it a functional one capable of making a safe boat launch and retrieval.

And by the way, I also believe it’s time to fill back up Knights Lake for ground water replenishment, bass fishing and for nature habitat. WID should give that place back to the citizens of Lodi and the county for the damage they already caused but instead it’s become an eye sore filled with debris that is causing issues like brush fires and surrounding areas, being they have no use for it. BRYAN KROLL Lockeford

City needs to tackle pensions

Editor: At a recent council meeting, Councilman Bob Johnson suggested that the city consider outsourcing some of its services to save money. Bob Johnson made a proposal, and that’s what leaders do. Councilwoman Mounce believes in giving the State of California a chance — she believes there is a solution there.

The State has already addressed this problem, and has moved on. Lodi city leaders cannot continually use this as an excuse, and do nothing. The city retirement funding problem has been with us for years.

City management has repeatedly warned the city council of retirement funding problems, and in effect passed the buck onto the city council. Now it’s up to the city council to tackle this problem.

There are cities across the United States that have excessive retirement benefit packages, and with it problems funding their retirement. There are exceptions. The city of Fresno has a fully funded pension. The city’s pension fund is 100 percent funded, and they actually have a surplus of nearly $300 million.

Maybe the city of Lodi should do some research on the city of Fresno, and gain some knowledge on funding retirement benefit packages.

The city of Lodi was capable of furloughing its employees one day a week, for several years, and still accomplished the job. That’s a good indicator the city could possibly downsize its workforce, which would help fund retirement. The city needs to live within its means.

Lodi city leaders must find the courage to address retirement funding, the city cannot just ignore this problem. It won’t automatically go away. JOHN SLAUGHTERBACK Lodi

We need to set aside differences

Editor: I disagree vehemently with your guest editorial writer, Ramesh Ponnuru. Robert E. Lee was a patriot, not a traitor. He did more for this country than most. Many Confederate fighters had no connection whatever with slavery.

The main issue was states’ rights. It is too easy to demagogue a complex issue by pointing to slavery. This was a true civil war. It tore families apart. My ancestors fought on both sides.

Do you want an arrogant central government dictating what you can and cannot do? Unfortunately, slavery was a key issue, but not the issue. The war is over. Let’s not fight it again. Ignore the rabble rousers on both sides.

Tearing down monuments is ridiculous. There were heroes on either side of an unfortunate/tragic conflict. Stomping on a monument dear to many serves no good purpose. Shoving hated symbols in the faces of others merely incites violence.

Let’s all take a deep breath and calm down. We are a United States; we are the United States. Why antagonize your neighbors? We accomplish far more together. Lets do that, and set aside petty differences. We have real issues that need addressing. Why stir up more? JERRY OSGOOD Galt