99 Cents Only Stores CEO pledges support for Fresno’s Leo Politi library | Opinion
CEO backs library
“99 Cents Only Stores halt Fresno CA library branch expansion,” (fresnobee.com, Oct. 11)
As the CEO of 99 Cents Only Stores, I can tell you firsthand that we are deeply committed to the communities we serve, including our five stores in the Fresno metropolitan area. We are proud to offer the best fresh food, groceries, school supplies, seasonal and other products at the best prices.
We are focused on bringing extreme value to products our customers buy frequently. We are also committed to supporting the Leo Politi library, as it, too, helps our customers.
Our commitment is clear: We’ve worked in good faith with our landlord and the library and have reached a solution that benefits all parties involved. We will partner with the library and the community to promote reading, education and other activities that positively support the library, its patrons and the community.
We carry a full array of products (including school supplies, books and nutritious food and snacks) that can help nurture the development of young children and adults. In our over 40 years as a company, we’ve provided a positive and meaningful service in our communities. We look forward to serving our customers now and into the future.
Mike Simoncic
CEO, 99 Cents Only Stores, Commerce
Permanent residents are needed
“Here’s what’s in Fresno’s plans for downtown, Chinatown,” (fresnobee.com, Nov. 6)
I read with interest the description of plans for downtown. They’re very exciting to be sure, but there seems to be one omission from the plans: Where are the owner-occupied units?
As a fairly long-time Fresno resident, I would find the prospect of owning a condo or townhome somewhere in the downtown area very attractive. Yet, with the exception of the word “residences” one time in the article, all other references are to apartments. Why is this?
It seems to me that to attract and sustain a healthy 10,000 residences, Fresno needs at least some owner residents. Renters come and go; residents tend to stay and have “skin in the game” over and above paying monthly rent and utilities.
Unless I’m missing something, the city ought to encourage the inclusion of owner-occupied residences as a part of the overall plan.
Reilly Rix
Fresno
Opinion
Bad idea for review panel
“‘Censorship’ or ‘protecting kids’? Fresno County OKs screening children’s books at libraries,” (fresnobee.com, Nov. 10)
There is a final vote to ratify the “Parents Matter” Resolution, and I hope the supervisors vote no.
I can’t help thinking about the children that come into the library for information on gender. Maybe they have questions about themselves, about a friend or family member. Or maybe they are just curious. They come into the library and there aren’t any books in the children’s area to read about genders. Now they must go into a “special section” that houses the books they are looking for. They must feel like they are different from the other kids because the books they want to read are separate. They are now marginalized.
What if a child is in the “special area” and other kids see them and now they must deal with bullying and teasing? Children have enough to deal with these days. They shouldn’t have to deal with being excluded at the library.
If a parent has a problem with a particular book, there is a system in place at the library that they can follow. There is no reason that 11 people should oversee the choices of the entire county of Fresno.
Karen Hankins
Prather
PBS supporter
“Valley PBS needs better local programming, says critic,” (fresnobee.com, Nov. 8)
I enjoy the local water and agriculture programming on PBS. We are informed of our local farms, food, water and how the industry allows us to be the bread basket. It’s discouraging when I read about anything negative regarding programming. I believe truthful research and information is needed to open eyes.
Keep up the informative and great work.
Deb Good
Oakhurst
Meet where needed
“Why Covered California building in north Fresno is vacant,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 30)
I find it very interesting that a small gathering of well-dressed people attended the outdoor display which was promoted as a discussion of how the Covered California plan is meeting the needs of those that do not have insurance.
This was held at Woodward Park, a bastion of northeast Fresno where the financially stable and wealthy gather. Those in attendance were pandering to a different audience rather than to the needs of those who have the need for the Covered California insurance.
Meet in the areas where the needs are, not where they are already met.
James Williams
Clovis
Lived experiences
“Palestinians have endured abuse for decades,” (fresnobee.com, Nov. 12)
The author of this op-ed, Stanley George, is a retired music teacher in Reedley who has visited the West Bank six times and Gaza once. He says what he discovered was beyond belief. He had never read about or heard on the news any of the things he observed.
For example, there are roads in the West Bank only for Israelis. What will take Israeli drivers 15 minutes on their superhighways might take Palestinians an hour on their roads. George also tells of a farm of olive trees and citrus owned by Christian Palestinians near Bethlehem. This farm has often been bulldozed, with water and electricity cut off, but the owners have a sign on a boulder in front of their home: “We refuse to hate.”
As for Gaza, he says the people have been left with no hope after four wars on their narrow land. It seems George also has no hope for the future in Gaza and the West Bank because he concludes his op-ed with this warning: “Without justice there will never be peace.”
Ruth Afifi
Fresno
