Letters to the Editor

Editor:

The new remote gate hours that started Jan. 6 are a bad idea and here’s why.

First let’s take a look at the actual per-unit financial benefit. LW Weekly indicated that the new hours will save $56,300 annually. Math tells us that the savings come to 68¢ per unit per month ($56,300 per year divided by 6,608 units divided by 12 months).

Now let’s look at a minor (but annoying) issue with the new hours. Many fellow residents head to work before 7 a.m., some of whom now travel farther to get out the gate.

Before gate hours changed, evening hours typically brought a steady flow of traffic through remote gates until about 9:30 p.m. As expected, lines at the Main Gate are longer after 8 p.m. than they were before the change.

Here’s the major issue. We get a significant number of paramedic calls between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. With remote gates closed, emergency response times for many of our fellow residents are increased by around 3-5 minutes, depending on location.

Nine times out of ten, a couple of minutes either way doesn’t matter. But when it does, three minutes can be the difference between a ride to the hospital and a ride to the coroner’s office.

It does not make sense to endanger and inconvenience fellow residents simply to save 68¢ per month.

Susan Kendig Mutual 15 Editor:

I was so happy to see the award-winning film “Oppenheimer” provided to us by our Recreation Department. As a bonus, we got to see a fact-filled documentary about the making of the film.

There was so much information that enhanced viewing the film, which tells about the father of the A bomb’s rise to success in ending WWII and the subsequent tragic fall from grace.

It was both politically motivated and stemmed from personal reflection of the cost of his creation, which was hoped to end all war.

The acting plus the music and the cinematography, was riveting.

How wonderful to have the chance to see a film of this caliber right here in the comfort of Clubhouse 4.

The room was filled with several hundred of us and I want to thank our Recreation team for providing such current movies for free.

It’s good to recall all the amazing opportunities we have here in Leisure World, Seal Beach, to remain safe and sound among beautiful green spaces and the value of the results of all those who work hard to ensure our best golden years.

Marla Hamblin GRF Director Mutual 15 Editor:

My husband and I recently attended a memorial service for Leah Lambros, a neighbor and dear friend. She was the first person we met in Leisure World as she lived right across the sidewalk.

Ten years older than I, she was so impressive with her youthful appearance and attitude. Tall, erect with a body of a model, she always wore interesting and attractive clothing, even when she was out tending her precious garden. And her home was so tasteful and always neat.

We hoped we’d have enough in common to become good friends and when it turned out we were polar opposites politically, it was disappointing. We spent a short time trying to convert the other to our POV.

When we discovered that was not happening, we both— without discussing it—stopped talking about the subject altogether except to laughingly compete with the number of political signs we placed in our yards.

Leah was the best possible neighbor. Her smile was beautiful and brilliant, just like her personality.

Wonderful Leah, you are so missed.

Jacquie Clarke Mutual 5 Editor:

I am so happy with the bus service changing to an ondemand system. Gone are the days of looking at schedules and having to go all around Leisure World to get to my destination.

The response time is always less than 10 minutes, and the bus drivers continue to be courteous and helpful.

We’re so fortunate to have this service. I’m sure many share my opinion.

Thank you to GRF personnel and GRF board members who supported this change and brought it to fruition.

Great decision!

Mary Milhone Mutual 2