Nov. 14 2024 issue:
Council: Keep doing good work; No special election
On Nov. 5, 2020, we congratulated in a letter to this newspaper the newly elected Del Mar City Council and urged them to approach their stewardship with humility and civility. They largely achieved that goal with some notable exceptions and reached laudable consensus votes during their four years. In fact, more than 90% of votes in 2024 were mostly unanimous or a few by 4-1. This was because of the good judgement of council as well as competent preparatory staff work followed by reviews and guidance of the altruistic residents who serve on committees and boards. For this effective leadership the city council deserves an “A” grade.
We now offer suggestions on how they may continue good work and avoid needless detours.
The council’s performance was marred by unnecessary discord and distraction. Once again we urge all council to approach their service with respect toward each other even in the face of inevitable differences. That civility is the essence of the democratic process. Council propose, discuss, negotiate, and vote on the complex issues that face our city, and move on. There is no reason, no necessity, for personal invective.
The council now has an option to leave the vacant council seat open until the regular election cycle in November 2026 or, alternatively, conduct a special election at a cost of about $250,000. We strongly recommend that a special election not be held. The expenditure of $250,000 and the associated distraction to solve what appears to be a non-problem seems unconscionable. Let’s not squander taxpayers’ dollars when we have many important priorities, including repairing streets.
In this election cycle, two incumbents and a newcomer were unopposed. We congratulate them and are grateful for their willingness to serve the Del Mar community. Working together, including one council member whose term will expire in two years, the council will have to address numerous challenges emanating from internal and external forces like relocating train tracks, meeting state mandate on affordable housing, undergrounding of utilities, and many others while maintaining the charm and character of Del Mar. We strongly urge them to show respect to fellow , the city staff and outside agencies.
We will be rooting for your success in addressing challenges and fulfilling the mandates of the Community Plan. We look forward to reviewing your accomplishments in two years.We would be remiss if we did not recognize Dwight Worden and David Druker, both exceptional role models and stalwarts, who are moving on after many years of dedicated service. They deserve our gratitude for their outstanding contributions to the city of Del Mar and making it such a wonderful place.
Marty Cooper and Suren DutiaDel Mar
Jan. 16, 2025 issue
Proficiency in reading and writing English should be mandated
Re Dec. 26 story by Karen Billing titled “San Dieguito district approves last unit of ethnic studies curriculum”
Thank you Karen for alerting the community to the “alarming” and dangerous content of the San Dieguito Union High School District’s Ethnic Studies Curriculum mandated by the state of California to be embedded into ninth grade English classes.
Rather than promoting “resistance” and “activism” disguised as ethnic studies might I suggest mandating proficiency in reading and writing English as a graduation requirement which, along with mathematics, seems severely lacking in this state based on proficiency testing results. I’d suggest required proficiency in writing and cursive vs shorthand text or essays not written with ChatGPT.
I suggest proficiency in financial literacy. It is obvious that many college students have no idea about debt, loans, interest rates or the moral obligation of paying back a loan or debt. Gee, majoring in underwater basket weaving just isn’t paying off my $100,000 student loan. Hmmm.
Corporate America is shedding the destructive DEI activism of social promotion and lowered standards and returning to merit-based hiring and promotion. The number one job of our schools is to teach proficiency in the essentials needed to succeed, stimulate creativity and promote good citizenship – equally.
As John F. Kennedy, one of our nation’s greatest presidents, said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country.” There is nothing in this pseudo “ethnic studies curriculum” that promotes progress or serving our country. An obvious omission is ing law enforcement or a veteran. Learn what it really means to “serve” your country.
This country is the greatest country on earth. , if you can read, thank a teacher. If you read in English, thank a veteran.
I applaud Trustees Allman and Anderson, TOPS and many parents with their dissent. Hopefully your reporting will increase awareness of this harmful “curriculum” and arouse enough outrage to defeat it especially for ninth graders.
It is time to move forward and not continue to dwell on past issues that only fuel blame, division, dissent and hatred. Enough is enough.
Dave FergusonSolana Beach
Feb. 20 issue:
Parents and taxpayers question if ethnic studies is appropriate for 12-13-year-old children at SDUHSD
San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) is set to offer an Ethnic Studies course integrated into 9th grade English starting fall 2025 as optional.
Besides concerns over the dilution and distraction of their core, English curriculums, the pilot program has sparked controversy.
The course content includes potentially sensitive topics such as identifying students based on race, color, sexuality, and gender preferences. Unit one reportedly categorizes light-skinned students as “privileged, white supremacists” and “oppressors.” Darker-skinned students are “oppressed.”
Many also expressed concerns about: Negative portrayal of American history; Potential for creating division among students and teaching negative stereotypes to young teenagers.
The course’s fourth unit focuses on student activism, which raised more concerns.
While some view Ethnic Studies as promoting inclusivity and empathy, others worry it may shame certain students and create animosity in others.
8th grade parents: Your student must choose by March 2025 to either take a standalone 9th grade English course or English/Ethnic Studies combined.
Parents of non-white students have voiced apprehension about their children being labeled as “oppressed.”The San Dieguito Faculty Association’s union leadership s the course, but not all teachers agree with the controversial material.
Public viewings of the course content since September 2024 have been marked by opposition, heated debates and unanswered questions. Some parents even filed two formal complaints against district employees for allegedly bullying them over their concerns during the review of unit two.
SDUHSD isn’t alone. Contentious debates continue across California and the country. However, California is the first state to make Ethnic Studies mandatory if it gets funding from the state’s budget this June.
The future of this course, its content and funding remains uncertain as the district navigates these complex issues with community .
Marci Strange i
Chairwoman of Taxpayers Oversight for Parents and Students of SDUHSD.www.TOPS4SDUHSD.org
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