"Kudos to our police chief" (published in The Sun, August 30, 2009)

Hurray for our new police chief, Keith Kilmer, for putting the efforts of our fine Police Department behind an
Anti-Graffiti Task Force working through a variety of methods to make early identification of taggers.

Like Mayor Morris' Operation Phoenix crime reduction program, suppression (in this case painting out the graffiti)
is only one part of dealing with the issue, and I see our abatement teams out working seven days a week to this
end. What will really make a difference is to make early identification of persons with a proclivity toward this
behavior in order to intervene and prevent the graffiti before it happens. That's something we'd all like to see (or
not see, in this case!) - a reflection of civic pride and progress.

The Operation Phoenix model is working in the area of Part 1 crime reduction in our city (and I am proud that the
White House wants to learn more about it - Sun article "Mayor off to Washington," Aug. 21). Bringing that same
suppression, intervention and prevention model to this issue will do for the problem of graffiti what it has done for
Part 1 crime reduction.

SANDRA R. TICE
San Bernardino
"Penman bullies" (published in The Sun, August 30, 2009)

As with many others, I have personally witnessed the nastiness of Mr. Penman at City Council meetings when he
does not get his way. I am also very much aware of his bullying attitude toward council members. He reminds me
of the late J. Edgar Hoover who was infamous for his threats and seeking material detrimental to the careers and
lives of others in government.

When Mr. Penman loses in his repeated attempt to be elected mayor, is it possible that he will at last realize that
the voters of San Bernardino reject him as chief executive? Would it then be too much to hope that he might just
go away?

DAVID RHONE
San Bernardino
"Take high road" (published in The Sun, August 29, 2009)

Immediately after Jim Penman announced that he had changed his mind and was going to run for mayor of San
Bernardino, the Penman/McCammack cabal mobilized. Hit pieces against Mayor Morris, his staff, his ideas and
even his family appear in the Voice of the People almost daily. These pieces are signed by the same cadre of people
again and again.

It is a mark of the freedoms we have in our country that we are able to state our opinions publicly. It has become a
mark of San Bernardino politics, however, that these opinions are derogatory rather than factual or uplifting. Could
we please change this trend? Jim Penman's supporters could list some of the positive things he has done during his
time as city attorney. Some could write about his character. Others could write about his hopes and plans for San
Bernardino should he be elected mayor. Pat Morris' supporters could take the same approach.

There are plenty of differences between the two mayoral candidates. Let's make this political season one of
debates about philosophies, visions and goals and leave the animosity behind.

LYNETTE DuCLOS ADELSON
San Bernardino
Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Pat Morris 2009 - ID #1278701
Letters to the Editor
"Handle on graffiti" (published in The Sun, August 31, 2009)

I want to commend the city of San Bernardino graffiti teams for the work they are doing in getting a handle on
the tagging issues in our city. Painting full walls so they can go back and "spot" repeat tagging without leaving a
patchwork of color on walls has improved the appearance of our streets.

I am also impressed with the increased speed (within 48 hours) in response to calls to the hot line.

Citizens of San Bernardino, there is still work to be done.

Carry this number in your cell phone and when you see graffiti, pull over and call it in: (909) 384-5250.

Be a positive force for improving our city.

DOUG POTTER
San Bernardino
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"Signs of improvement" (published in The Sun, September 3, 2009)

There has been a lot in the paper lately about graffiti in San Bernardino. I agree it is a terrible problem,
but I also think it is worth noting that something seems to be changing, for the better.

Recently, as I was driving to work in the morning, I was disturbed to see that someone had tagged the
retaining wall at Arden and Foothill. The very next morning, the graffiti was gone!

Only a few days later, I noticed that the cement wall at the wash over Foothill Boulevard had been tagged.
Again, just a day later, that graffiti too had been removed. Before, graffiti seemed to stay up for days or
even weeks before anybody got to it. Whatever the city of San Bernardino is now doing is making a big
difference. Keep up the good work!

LORI BEACH
San Bernardino