Wait For A Bear To Attack?
The threat is real as we scurry from our homes daily, looking over our shoulder, scanning the neighborhood. Where is the bear today?

Residents wonder when more damage will be done (broken fences, planters destroyed, vehicles scratched, bears swimming in pools and threatening pets). The bear has entered a garage. What is next – a house?

Our children are fearful watching the bear romp freely from house to house.  We made the local TV news; a homeowner shared video of the bear playing among her children’s toys in the backyard.

We dial 911. The Glendale Police Dept. arrives via patrol car and helicopter.  They watch, they wait and they leave. Thanks for the response but their hands are tied; unless someone is attacked they cannot take any action.

Fish and Game, when finally reacting to our distress, said, “It’s the bear’s environment; hide your trash cans, put pet food inside, etc.” It seems they don’t want to be bothered. Is it because it would cost them time and money with their supposed limited budget and resources?

My family has lived in this region since the 1930s; there has never been bear sightings in all those years, except recently. “Meatball” made the news several years ago; he was captured and relocated swiftly.

Our long-established neighborhood is not in the forest; we are urban. There are 110 homes here built in the 1950s surrounded by residences decades older. We live steps away from Honolulu Avenue and the 210 Freeway on-ramp. We are told we are in the bear’s environment – since when?

Our bear sightings have been shared via photo, video and nextdoor.com (private community network). We care, alert each other, share stories and discuss our fears and concerns but we have not seen any action.

The question is what do we do?  Sightings are increasing. No one wants the bear(s) harmed and we know from past experience they can be re-located. One bear was ear-tagged but not being tracked? What?

What is the City of Glendale waiting for? If not the city, than whose responsibility is it? Our children may be in danger because they move too quickly or are innocently playing in their own yard?

We need advice. What representatives do we contact?  Who do we call next?  Some say it’s the drought; experts have theories; fine – “talk and discuss” but the problem right now is we need action to help protect ourselves.

Is it like when a city has to wait for someone to be killed before installing a signal light? I do not want to wait for a terrifying attack to happen because someone innocently provoked or cornered a bear before necessary action had been taken.

City of Glendale, what are you going to do to help us? Suggestions: 1) start by giving us bear-proof trash cans to help eliminate the food source or 2) re-location (it worked before). This is a request – please do something!
Jari Kirkwood
Glendale

Assemblyman Mike Gatto: Do Endorsements Mean Anything?
Assemblyman Mike Gatto, who represents the 43rd District, is being termed out of office and is recommending Councilwoman Laura Friedman as his replacement. Mr. Gatto, who previously lived in Silver Lake when first elected to office, now rents a small apartment in Glendale. He moved his family to Sacramento shortly after being elected. Therefore how can he be aware of all the issues facing our “Jewel City?” e.g., all the out-of-control construction in our central business district and elsewhere. Projects, approved by Mrs. Friedman, have caused major traffic congestion and parking nightmares in nearby neighborhoods. Her voting record has reduced the quality of life for many Glendale citizens.

Since Mrs. Friedman was elected in 2009, her concern has been to ensure there is sufficient revenue in the city’s “coffers” to pay for her CalPERS union supporters with their outrageous salary and pension benefits.

Councilwoman Friedman has voted to raise our water and electric rate costs above the cost of delivery. Her approval and voting to transfer approximately $20 million annually from GWP to the General Fund is a backdoor tax on the ratepayers. The increase in water and electric rates and the money transfer from GWP motivated previously uninvolved citizens to join and form the Glendale Coalition For A Better Government.

When term limits were brought forward at Glendale City Council last year, Mrs. Friedman voted against term limits for her city. Now, because of term limits at the state level, she benefits and is now able to run for the 43rd District Assembly seat.
Mike Mohill
Glendale