Indian Canyon closed again? Let’s build a bridge to somewhere
It is pointless to complain about the closing of Indian Canyon Drive because of water and sand. I have been here over 50 years and the only thing that has changed is that the number of people affected has exploded.
All three crossings (Indian Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail, Vista Chino Road) are within the city limits of Palm Springs. As I write this, they are now closed and probably will be for some time because of the tremendous amount of snow that is melting. As soon as that passes, the wind will blow. If complaining doesn’t work, then what should we do?
Let’s solve the problem.
First step – a highly qualified committee to coordinate the effort. A large prize for the most creative design. Don’t wait for Washington D.C. to pass out the funds. We have many people who could fund this project all by themselves. Let’s create something that people from all over the world will come to see. Perhaps a translucent tunnel/bridge? Or a totally underground tunnel? Or?
We wasted 40 years on the Salton Sea and now it is dying. Do we wait on a bridge until the first person dies because the ambulance can’t get to a hospital from Desert Hot Springs?
Richard R. Clapp, Cathedral City
I’ve encountered ticketing snafus with the BNP tennis tournament app
I've enjoyed coming to Indian Wells for championship tennis for decades. It is my favorite tennis tournament and one of the best sporting events in the world.
This year, however, the snafus associated with all-electronic ticketing made my experience far worse. Because the tournament app, the outside app (needed for entry), my and the Wi-Fi did not mesh, it took me almost an hour from the time of ticket purchase to enter the venue, with no lines involved. And mine was far from the only electronic ticket horror story I heard.
Moving away from paper ticketing is an admirable goal. But sometimes there needs to be a backup when the systems break down and it is clear that a ticket has been purchased. Other major events have such workarounds in place, and the BNP Paribas ought to follow suit.
Leif Wellington Haase, Kensington, California
BNP tennis tournament coverage a bit much
I am a regular reader of The Desert Sun and a paid subscriber. Each year during the BNP Paribas, The Desert Sun becomes nonstop tennis tournament coverage. Five, six, seven, (even more) articles a day. There is minimal local news coverage during this two week period. In my opinion, it is a bit much. After all, it is a tennis tournament that happens every year; it's not like we're hosting the Olympics here in the Coachella Valley.
By the way, I am an avid tennis fan and attend the tournament at least once every year.
Sergio Garcia, Palm Springs
I’ve joined the ‘Common Sense Party’
Do you have a major issue, one that continues to frustrate and seemingly is never really addressed? With both Washington and Sacramento gearing up for the next session can you reasonably expect any progress? Can you identify a legislator who will work for your issue’s resolution, perhaps even working across the aisle? Do such independent, committed, problem-solving people exist?
Yes, they do! But how do you find them amid the current divisive environment? Is there a means to identify them, publicize them and campaign for them? Does it matter to which party they belong? Can we somehow pick them out of the crowd?
There may be an opportunity to do so.
A party has been formed – the Common Sense Party, which proposes to do exactly that. It is not right-left oriented, it seeks to change no one’s political orientation. It avoids the quagmire of party loyalty. Very simply it seeks and makes it possible to find honest, intelligent, issue-oriented legislators who are likely to understand your issue, grasp its significance and work to its resolution. This party is currently in a membership drive and needs additional voter registration to be recognized as a party by the state of California Registrar’s office.
George H. Koenig, La Quinta
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs' Indian Canyon closed again? Let’s finally build a bridge
