Two perspectives on local road repair efforts

Re “Just how bad are San Diego’s streets? With two major evaluations coming, the city faces a watershed moment” (Dec. 24): I’m sure there are a multitude of issues that cause streets in San Diego to be in their current condition. One item that doesn’t get much attention is the idea that there is little coordination with respect to street repairs and under-street utilities.

For example, a few years ago a large section of Pomerado Road in San Diego/ Poway was subject to installation of a new gas pipe. The street was dug up for months and finally repaved at the end. No more than a few months later, other utilities started digging up freshly paved sections to make repairs. These piecemeal repairs continued for years. A once smoothly paved major artery now has sections of uneven paving, which hastens road damage. Is there no agency that coordinates this? We can do better.

L.B. Hom San Diego

My wife and I read this article with amusement. The city’s notorious street problems and the lack of progress repairing them reminded me of a quote from the legendary Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi. His Packers had blown a fourth-quarter lead in the 1960 NFL championship game. At spring training the following year, Lombardi was intent on focusing on the fundamentals, not new, fancy, razzledazzle plays. He addressed the team, holding a football aloft, and uttered those famous words: “Gentlemen, this is a football!” The message was clear: If you do the basics, the rest will fall into place.

Mayor Gloria? “This is a pothole.”

Bill Loeber Del Cerro