Restoring our reputation

Editor: We have a problem with mailbox vandalism and theft in Lodi and it is not small. My box was hit late last week. I want to tell you how proud and blessed I feel over the response most of my neighbors had over the situation.

The note from the post office said that we were responsible to remove the stonework around the box. We did it with our manpower, our tools, our truck and our time. All it cost was the landfill fee of $16. One of these neighbors wrote a letter to the editor which you published the next day. Thank you. Another neighbor is going to add another camera to their surveillance system which will be aimed a the mailbox.

It was brought to my attention that another neighborhood box just down the block from me was broken into and medications were stolen. There is a black market for these drugs. Here is what we can all do. Be vigilant, report all activity to the police, and don't leave your incoming or outgoing mail in your boxes overnight. I have learned that there are four choices when problems come our way in life. We can be an obstructer, an avoider, a cheerleader, or get involved and be a team player. Most of us choose to be team players.

Together we can rid our community of this crime wave and help restore Lodi to be the livable and lovable Lodi it once was. RANDY KUCHENBECKER Lodi

Gallo should find another location

Editor: The News Sentinel recently ran an article covering the “informational meeting” to which Gallo Winery invited some Acampo residents but the article neglected to state the intensity of continued opposition to the proposed location that was expressed by the crowd of more than 100 local residents.

This particular rural site is completely unacceptable for a busy industrial winery of such magnitude. Although not against Gallo as a company, the vast majority of hundreds of Acampo residents are adamantly against putting such a facility in this location.

A caring Lodi citizen suggested in the editorials that Gallo could build on the old Goehring Meats property along Highway 99. Great intention, but that site is 26 acres and Gallo’s proposed facility is shockingly ten times that size.

People have trouble realizing how huge this proposed Gallo facility actually is. Just the tank area alone would cover the equivalent of approximately 15 city blocks, larger than downtown Lodi, packed with wine tanks up to five stories (49 feet) tall.

Gallo representatives stated that they have sought alternative locations to build their mega processing center, but this is the one they like. This raised anger and frustration from the crowd of more than 100 residents that agrees that the Gallo Winery absolutely belongs adjacent to major transportation routes (I-5, highways 99, 12, or 4) or in an easily accessed area of large acreage that is not going to negatively impact thousands of already established residents and small businesses.

This project is an unnecessary industrialization of our rural community and it begs for relocation. The plain fact is that placing this huge industrial complex in the middle of our homes and vineyards can only result in denying all its neighbors their rightful enjoyment of their homes and properties. There is no way to lessen that nuisance other than moving the project to a more appropriate location.

This is not a done deal. We appreciate the growing support we are seeing for this opposition from our greater community. To see how you can continue to help, visit www.agcommunityalliance.com.

You can also write your concerns to or email the San Joaquin County planning department and the five San Joaquin County Supervisors. LLOYD MARTEL Acampo

Letters invited

The Lodi News-Sentinel welcomes opinions from its readers. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for internal verification purposes. All letters are subject to editing. Letters from local readers dealing with local issues are given priority. Letters from outside the local area are published at the editor’s discretion. Letters longer than 350 words will be cut to fit or returned to their writers. There is a holding period of 30 days between publication of letters by the same person unless no other letters are queued. Send letters to P.O. Box 1360, Lodi, CA 952411360; or email to letters@ lodinews.com.