Letters to the editor: Upset with CLU; lack of charging stations; roads need a lot of work

Disappointed by CLU president

The actions of leadership set the tone for any institution and organization. I have been very disappointed in the actions of Cal Lutheran President Lori Varlotta as she works to dismantle the Elton Gallegly Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement at the university.

Her latest action, to dismantle a replica office of former Congressman Elton Gallegly set up in the Gallegly Center, is particularly egregious since legal action on the obligation to retain that exhibit is pending in court. This action is the latest in a string of moves that violate written agreements with the Congressman, sets a poor example for the students and faculty she leads, and is a discredit to Cal Lutheran.

Robin F. De Sapio, Santa Rosa Valley

More charging stations needed

I am fairly new to Simi Valley. My husband and I purchased our home this past June and moved swiftly to have solar panels installed. We feel it is a good example for our children and a healthier way of life for our community. Upon completion of installation I quickly purchased my first all-electric vehicle. Again, I want to practice what I preach and show some love to the earth that provides so much to us all.

I am fortunate to have a charge station a mile and a half away from my residence, but I was shocked to find that within the 42 square miles of Simi Valley, there are only three charging stations. Each station has either two or three connection ports which I feel is insufficient for such a large city. I feel more stations should be erected. There is a vast amount of space in our Simi Valley Town Center and that would be a perfect location for more charging stations. When I visit the Northridge Mall in the San Fernando Valley, they not only have six stations, but they are free for all mall and restaurant patrons.

Clean renewable energy is not only the future but so critical to a healthier life for everyone. California has already declared an end to the sale of new gasoline power vehicles by 2035. I feel that building more stations would encourage more people to switch to electric and in turn sustain a cleaner environment for us all.

Emily Arzio-Rivera, Simi Valley

Roads in desperate need of repair

Driving is one of the biggest ways of transportation and is very important to those that live in California. The average commute to work is 29 minutes. At least an hour of your day is spent in the car driving to and from work. Clearly our roads are very important to us.

Our roads, mostly freeways, are constantly changing and trying to be improved, but I feel as if nothing is getting done. I drive the 23 almost every day to get to school or my boyfriend’s house. Let me tell you, driving is a nightmare. There are constant bumps, ditches, and objects from road work, like cones and wires everywhere that makes it so frightening to drive on some days. They have been working on this freeway for years now, but it looks exactly the same and they still have another three years to go to finish the project that seems like they haven’t even started. We may blame COVID for the lack of progress, but we have been in this situation for two years. Excuses like that are not relevant.

Our roads wear out quickly with the large population California has and the mass traffic that comes through. We need to find a way to more efficiently get road work done and try to improve the materials we are using so our roads will last longer. The U.S. is only ranked 11th in road quality. Clearly, we have other countries we can derive ideas from and learn a thing or two. If different materials cost more than what we spend now, it would be worth it because we spend so much on the ones we have already paved. Please, let’s come together and pave something that can last a lifetime.

Jennifer Forca, Thousand Oaks

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Upset with CLU; lack of charging stations; roads need work