Letters

Cybercafe plea

To the Editor:
I think there should be a cybercafe in Downey. I've been to cybercafes in other cities and I enjoy them.

Cybercafes are coffeeshops that have computers with Internet access that the public can use. There are also PC rooms where people can go to play computer games at about $2 an hour.

Many people hang out at the movies or the mall, but sometimes those places get boring.

Cybercafes have become very popular and many people go there to hang out. Students also go there because the Internet access at school is slow and they cannot always get into the web site they need.

There are many coffee shops in Downey and I think they should add a couple computers to them.
-Kim Chong,
Student, Griffiths Middle School

Fuel cells

To the Editor:
I read Jerry Andrews' article on fuel cells in the Jan. 18 edition of The Downey Eagle with great interest. Engineers are making rosy promises with the use of fuel cells. Rarely do we read of the cost of producing pure hydrogen for use in the fuel cells. So much energy is expended in producing hydrogen that nothing is gained unless solar or hydro-power is used. There is no great abundance of this type of energy as it must be supplemented with large amounts of fossil fuels for our everyday needs.
-Frank Myers,
Downey

Parents' reply

To the Editor:
In defense of our son, Jason Redfox, we would like to reply to the letters from Jayne Smith and Mike Prokop in the February 1 issue of The Downey Eagle. Ms. Smith stated that the Downey Rose Float Association "has made it financially possible for (Jason) to exercise his artistic talents the past several years." In fact, Jason has been offered many paid jobs that would allow him to express his artistic talents in several different areas of float building, sculpture, and design. He has built floats for the Hollywood Christmas Parade, sculpted metalwork for professional float-building companies, and designed landscapes for people's homes. He has also turned down many opportunities to be compensated for his talents so that he could devote the majority of his time to volunteering for the Downey Rose Float Association, giving back to the community that raised him.

We would like to ask the board members if they feel they made it financially possible for Jason to exercise his artistic talents so there was no need to thank him in the Rose Float newsletter when they thanked a long list of people for their hard work? It was nice of Mike Prokop to at least give him a thank you in his letter to the editor, a lot late, but worth the wait.

Jason did announce his resignation during float decorating week to Mike Prokop and several of the Board Members, so I don't know why Mike was "struck with great surprise" at his announcement in The Downey Eagle. Jason was not given the opportunity to change his mind when he went to the float building the day after this year's Rose Parade and found that the locks had been changed. Jason asked for a key twice and was never given one. Did you really need to change the locks Mike?
-Art and Barbara Redfox,
Downey

Boeing property

To the Editor:
Every day I drive down Lakewood Boulevard and see the huge, white Boeing buildings. I look at the parking lots and see barely any cars. I think that those buildings and their huge parking lots are a waste of space. I think that the city should break it all down and make a town center or a plaza.

If the city made town center with restaurants, arcades, clothes stores and a movie theater, residents won't have to drive to neighboring cities to shop and to have fun.

Many people I know go to other stores and malls outside Downey. Like the Cerritos Mall and Long Beach Town Center.

If Downey replaced Boeing factories with a new town center, Downey would attract more people from our city and neighboring cities as well. This way the city will make more money and increase the profit.
-Andrew Chang,
Student, Griffiths Middle School

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dear Andrew: The City is only waiting for final acquisition of the property from the federal government to begin a development along the lines you suggest.

Rose Float

To the Editor:
I just wanted to thank everyone that I met from the Rose Float association when I came down to help with my daughter and my grandchildren. It was a wonderful experience for us even though this was the first time we helped it will not be the last.

When we hear about you and your work at the concerts in the park and we see you when we are there on Wednesday nights in the summer we just never realized what a big undertaking this was. I will never look at another float without having awe and respect for people like you who donate so many hours all year long to make it possible. I feel badly that as a long time resident (35 years) I have never really done my share but I certainly intend to help in the future whenever possible. Thanks to all of you and see you in the park.
-Mrs. Shirley A. Lawrence,
Downey

End Letters