I told the woman that this was unacceptable action on the part of the dog, and she said she was sorry. She got my name and recorded my phone number on her cell phone. I tried to get her number too, but she gave one number and then changed it; I think the number she gave was phoney. At least the man at the number I called said he had no dogs. The woman said she would call me and find out how I was but, of course, she didn't call. She said she lived in the area north of Florence near the river.
The dogs were large, long-haired, one brown and one black. The woman may have been Hawaiian. I have two purposes in writing this letter. One is to warn the many walkers in northeast Downey to be alert for this woman and her dogs, the second is to solicit any information anyone may have that would help me locate the dogs. Since the dog's teeth didn't penetrate my pants, I presume I'm not at risk of contracting rabies, although the skin was broken in several places and there is a large bruise. However, I think these dogs should be checked out to see if they are safe to have around.
-Don Niemand,
Downey
Dear Jody: There are places for children to hang out while their parents shop. They're called nurseries. You are much too old for that. It is not the world's job to provide entertainment for you. Boredom is nature's way of demanding action from you. While you sit and wait for your parents, you could also be reading or working a crossword puzzle. If you don't know how to select a book that might be of interest to you, ask your parents or teachers for help. All the adults in your life are your resources.
Your parents are not raising a child; they are raising an adult. The arcades you suggested keep you childlike too long. Your job is to be with your parents and watch them, and learn how to be an adult by imitation. Hanging with your friends the majority of your free time is not good for you or for society.
It keeps you immature when you should be growing emotionally as well as physically.
Mature people are seldom bored. Your goal should be to mature in order to solve your problems, not expect other people to always solve them for you. Even when you're with your parents, your imagination can soar. Learn to use your head actively, not passively, and you will never be bored for long in the future. Remember, you are the one who has to learn to keep yourself entertained. That's your job, so practice. Good luck in the beautiful life you have to look forward to.
-Doreen Lorand,
Downey
I have lived at the same residence in Downey for 52 years, and just the past five years I have noticed the students do not heed, even after Mr. Sussman informed his school to show respect to public property. Students while in school do abide to school rules, but after dismissal some students and parents do not show respect.
In this complex world I wonder how the up-coming citizens of Downey will act towards public property. It probably turn into a huge public play ground regardless of what action City of Downey takes or the rules they enforce.
Only piece of property the citizens of Downey will find peace is when they are six feet under.
Other words if I leave my front yard go to pot I would be contacted and cited for run-down property in City of Downey. Why have sidewalks to walk on when other property looks more inviting.
During the hours in the morning when parents leave students off, and at dismissal time the traffic on streets around South Sussman School looks like a parking lot double abreast and some use private driveways to wait or drive in to turn around. One of these days there will be an accident because of the congestion of traffic.
My suggestion is offer FREE bus ride, make parents pay for books, and end of school year parents receive refund providing the books are satisfactory. This is one way the school district will know who belongs (without permit) to the Downey School District, or the address they give in Downey does not show correct address. This is why so many school districts are low in funds to keep the schools presentable.
-Darline Arzac,
Downey
Our tenant came home before we did one evening, and was nice and thoughtful and pulled her car onto the lawn, allowing us to pull farther into the drive so she could leave early the next morning without disturbing us. When she went out to go to school, she was greeted with a parking ticket for her being nice! No warning-just an expensive (to a college student) ticket! All streets in our vicinity are posted against parking, so where was she to go? Our garage is not available to her.
I have contacted the Downey Police Department and they can't give me the answer, except to reiterate that we can't park on the lawn.
If this is the law unique to Downey it seems we would be notified of it in the water bill, or in some way so we would be able to warn tenants and others. Or the first offense should be a warning. I am sure we are not the only ones to experience this ticketing dilemma. Almost every home has at least two workers, and they leave at different times. I can appreciate not wanting cars parked on the lawn, but this was only from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. one night a week. Are Downey's coffers so empty that they must replenish them in this way?
I only hope this letter will serve as a warning to other residents, so they will avoid the penalty we experienced.
-Juanita Yancey,
Downey