It was with great interest that I read the letters in the Daily
Pilot responding to my commentary on the Westside ("Focus on Westside
must be for all who live there," Oct. 11). Michael W. Berry, Judith
M. Berry and Robert M. Beard had interesting views on the issue. I
also enjoyed Maj-Gun Mansoor's letter very much.
One cannot disagree with Beard's contention that otherwise
undocumented individuals might find a greater sense of community if
allowed to utilize the Mexican Identification Card to open bank
accounts and conduct business with those banks. I'll not attempt to
tell the bank managers with whom they should do business, but since
Beard personally observed the rejection he mentioned, it must be
assumed that such a decision was made at the highest levels of that
particular bank.
Is this good business? Maybe not. Is it good public relations?
Definitely not. Should voices be raised on this issue? Certainly --
but by whom? If the Latino community stands mute on the issue, who
will speak for them? That, of course, was one point in my article.
Mr. and Mrs. Berry -- I'm assuming they are a couple -- have a
much different vantage point than I do from which to view and
experience the Westside. Mr. Berry is one of the many hard-working,
vocal, frustrated activists I mentioned in my previous article. I'm
not sure he and I necessarily disagree on the nature of the problems
on the Westside, but view them with a different perspective and
emphasis.
Contrary to his comments, I was aware that many voices in the past
have bemoaned the perceived shortchanging the Westside has gotten, in
their view, when it comes to maintenance of the infrastructure of the
city.
However, one has only to drive down East 17th Street to understand
that infrastructure dollars are lacking throughout the city. I am
also aware that city officials have repeatedly addressed this issue
as respects the Westside over the past several months and are, in
fact, spending a great deal of our money to place the utilities
underground in the heart of that area.
I'm not sure what to make of his comments about the Westside
having no elected official living, working or schooling their
children there in the past 10 years. How can he forget Councilman
Chris Steel? Does he not live on the Westside? If memory serves me,
during the last election there were many candidates from the Westside
running for City Council. Is he suggesting that council seats should
be elected by districts? It's an interesting notion which has been
