I’m writing in response to your article in the Beacon regarding the athletic fields in Point Loma. I will refer you to our Pro Point Loma website for information regarding Point Loma High’s field and the reasons “some of the neighbors” are against the plan for lights and a public-address system.
I am really disappointed to see the lack of balanced coverage regarding this issue. So far, all I’ve seen is articles obviously in favor. A little in-depth reporting would lead you to see how the school district does not fully inform communities and sometimes outright lies to us re this issue. We were promised as recently as 2011 that no lights would be installed (a letter from the district can be found on our website).
As of now, there is no “green light” for lights and a public-address system at PLHS. Our group is determined to stop this and save our neighborhood from the lasting effects of this. All anyone has to do is come here and look at the campus and its proximity to homes to realize how terrible this plan is.
Also note the one parking lot, which is a few blocks away from the new improved entrance to the stadium. My daughter just graduated in June. We were sent an email from the school directing everybody to come early as there was no parking on campus and we would all have to park on the neighborhood streets. Every graduation day, the streets are lined with cars for blocks around. This also happens on Homecoming Day. The streets are narrow. Nobody directs traffic, especially at the intersection of Clove and Voltaire streets, where people are crossing on foot and cars are crossing as well. Imagine having large events there once stadium seating is installed, lights and a PA system. We would go from having this problem twice a year to possibly weekly events both day and night — all year long.
School district Trustee Scott Barnett is not seeking re-election. He makes promises that cannot be kept, and who knows who will follow on the district after he leaves. He has not promised us that the stadium will not be used for outside groups. In fact, the school already rents the stadium out. It is my understanding the school district made about $2 million last year renting out the field. Why else would the district spend so much money on lights when funds are so limited?
That school campus is a mess. Poor air conditioning, little green space, buildings that have no bathroom facilities — those are just some of the problems. Not to mention that the campus is just plain ugly. Why isn’t the district addressing these issues first? And why aren’t you and your publication writing about that?
Our group has interviewed neighbors from Clairemont who are really upset about what has happened at Claremont High School. They report weekly, sometimes 4 or 5 days a week; events take place at the school day and night. The PA system is really loud, even with windows closed. The sound of people stomping on the new aluminum bleachers is deafening and the light shines way beyond the campus.
The stadium there is used for events that sometimes last all day and into the night. These neighbors have tried to get [District 2 City Councilman-elect] Lori Zapf to help them, but so far no luck. One prominent San Diegan, Walter Andersen of Andersen’s nursery, is actually selling his house because of this.
I have lived in this neighborhood all of my life. I live in my parents’ house, which they built in 1950. I had planned to stay here for the rest of my life and hopefully leave it to our daughters. This stadium plan will have a terrible effect on the quality of life here and our property values. I am very-pro PLHS. I’m an alumni and I belong to the alumni association. My class donated money to the school this year in the form of a scholarship. My mother graduated from Point Loma High in 1942, as did my aunt and two uncles.
I am one of seven children, all of whom attended PLHS, and our own daughters both did.
I resent being made to look like a NIMBY [Not in My Backyard] neighbor who does not care about the school or the students who go there. But this situation will be intolerable, and I think so unnecessary, especially since the district is planning a large sports complex at Correia.
I challenge you and your publication to do your job and research this issue. I am looking forward to seeing a fair, balanced report.