Burdening citizens with wasteful mandates

Editor: Regarding the city’s proposed waste bin rate increase, it makes sense that over-filling trash and/or throwing inappropriate items into a recycle bin is not acceptable. We get that.

However, the new proposed changes, for some, are going to be a hardship. I’m retired and disabled and am grateful I’m able to have the trash and recycle bins right by my back door (much thanks to Waste Management workers for pick-up service). That being said, my 20-gallon bin is plenty big enough for me, and the thought of paying another $24 a month ($288 a year) on a fixed income for a 64-gallon bin I don’t want and don’t need, doesn’t tickle.

Also, living in a complex with a shared yard and garden bin means I’m expected to take that half ham sandwich I didn’t eat, get on my electric wheelchair and search for a bin that could be anywhere in the complex. This will be a special treat on rainy days.

Oh, and let’s not forget the not uncommon occurrence of un-neighborly neighbors throwing their garbage in your bin, which, according to the new policy, may result in incurring erroneous penalties. It seems to me the State of California could focus more effort on solving more pressing issues like the exponentially-growing homeless problem, instead of burdening citizens with spurious rate increases, threatening fines and undue hardship in the name of saving the planet from rotting food that releases 30-plus percent less methane than animal flatulence (Sources of Methane Emissions in the United States in 2020, EPA).

JOHN QUICK

Lodi

Dog’s death was tragic, but don’t blame police

Editor: As an animal lover I can appreciate the concern shown for a dog that was tased twice and died presumably as a result. That is tragic. But little is being said about the thoughtless owner who allowed his dogs out of his control with no leash.

We would hear a different story had the dog attacked and injured or killed a child or adult. To second guess law enforcement, who were called to the scene, is attempting to place blame on the wrong person. The News-Sentinel did a harmful job with the article that appeared in the Friday, Feb. 3 paper. If anyone deserves firing or fines it is the dog’s owner and the news article writer.

STEVE BECKHAM

Lodi

Dangerous drivers

Editor: Tuesday while walking our dog I saw police had pulled someone over at Ham and West Century. I don’t know why but it was nice to see a police presence.

The reason I thought it was nice was on Monday I once again almost got hit by a car. They always look at the traffic they are pulling into but never where they are going. Not once did the driver turn to look the other way. I went behind the car since he was blocking the walkway and because I felt that if I walked in front I would be run over.

I don’t believe anything will be done until someone gets seriously injured. Then there will be a gnashing of teeth, wringing of hands and protests about how this could have happened. Between drivers texting/talking on phones and not looking in both directions I’m surprised there are not more accidents. Oh, and on the way home while waiting at the traffic light, the light turned green, the white icon for crossing popped up and a truck pulled out in front of me, just as I was taking my first step. I’m also pretty sure the drivers doing this believe they are really good drivers. Hopefully the next person hit by a car is not someone you know.

TOM YEAGLEY

Lodi