On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a 5-4 decision in support of school choice in the case of Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue.  The Montana legislature had passed a tax credit scholarship program that would allow state funding of educational scholarships to qualified students to…

This letter is No. 2 in the series on Redlands City Planning. The subject of the first letter was parking in downtown Redlands. Friends of Redlands has been studying the Redlands General Plan 2035, Downtown Specific Plan and Transit Villages Specific Plan with the objective of informing the …

John Berry invited people to a Tea Party Patriots rally to show support for the police and reject arguments by Black Lives Matter who seek to rein in police behavior toward people of color. Obviously, indicting all cops is unacceptable, but we definitely need substantial reform in how police…

Re: “Join a rally to support the police,” by John Berry, June 26

Due to the recent budget cuts within the Redlands Animal Shelter, two kennel attendant positions have been eliminated. Despite the budget cuts the animal shelter staff remain committed to caring for the animals and the shelter will continue to be run with the utmost professionalism. Less sta…

When I saw swastikas and Hitler references at a protest in Orange County, I didn't get it.

I am a representative of Next Gen United. We are an advocacy group for the Black Lives Matter movement for the Inland Empire centered in Highland. We are demanding three requests that must take action immediately in the city of Redlands.

Re: “The police are not the enemy,” June 5, Redlands Community News editorial.

Re: “Redlands-to-PONY altered course on local diamonds,” Obrey Brown, June 5.

Re: “To stay open, we must wear masks, wash hands and socially distance,” May 29.

Library cuts hurt the vulnerable

As a citizen and volunteer in Redlands for more than 50 years, I am dismayed by the budget cuts that will be imposed on the A.K. Smiley Public Library.  

Composing this note grants two sorrows. First is the realization that I am old enough to be one of the people who clamors for the preservation of our cherished history and institutions. I always thought of this as the act of an old man. Well, here I am now.

Support local food banks

Now, more than ever, the value of booking with a travel adviser is clear. When things go wrong, we have your back. Given the current circumstance our industry now faces, and the overwhelming complexities of what travel may look like in a post COVID-19 world. We know that travel will return, …

An open letter to Amy and Adama:

Many of us plan for a rainy day and shake our heads, some of us make casseroles and donate old clothes, and a number of us simply turn away from the residents without homes.  

Monte and I are delighted each Friday (after being shut-in a week) to be able to catch up with the Redlands Community News delivered in the mail. Even though organizations and the arts are not meeting, we found out what everyone is doing and how they are doing it.

Under it all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depends the very survival and growth of those things we cherish most. We in Redlands must recognize that the interest of this city and its residents require that we allow the highest and best use of our land a…

Replace the

When I was 19, President Richard Nixon was on TV with a giant bingo wheel pulling out numbers for the first lottery draft. By 1969, the war profiteers had learned a valuable lesson; you can’t show the reality of war on TV because fewer people will enlist. Of course, calling Vietnam a war is …

Why Walmart backed out

Maintain local control

It is worrisome that Measure G on the March 3 ballot has encountered opposition. It is clearly in the best interest of Redlands residents. Redlands Mall has become an abandoned eyesore.

Re: “Measure G would help Redlands maintain local control,” by Carole Beswick, Jan. 31.

I have lived in other Inland Empire cities, but have chosen to own a home in Redlands because of the character of the city. Measure G would forever change the character of this beautiful city.

I have lived in Redlands for the past 28 years. I had the pleasure to work at one of Redlands’ historic gems, the AK Smiley Public Library as a librarian before retiring in 2009. Our historic charm, sense of community and respect for tradition are key reasons why I am proud to call Redlands home.

It appears to me the best customers of the new pot shops are the dreamers who think we need 3,000 or 4,000 new people living in stack apartments in our downtown that will bring instant transparency and sunshine.

Measure G comes up on the ballot on March 3. The measure would amend the city’s general plan to exempt the transit village neighborhoods from the density and development restrictions imposed by Proposition R, and Measures U and M.

Re: "Redlands' oldest company planning to move to Idaho,” in your Dec. 27, 2019 issue states Redlands oldest company "Covington [Engineering] was founded in Redlands in 1848, the same year that gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill."

The members of the City Council are dedicated people who put in long hours for virtually no financial reward. Check out a council meeting sometime to get a feel for their environment. I recommend viewing it on cable at home so you can have a stiff drink handy.  

We have been enjoying the Redlands Community News since you first started. Of course we have a subscription for the printed copy, but also enjoy the e version.

Re: “Vote yes on Measure G,” Deborah O’Hara, Jan. 10.

Measure G gives the green light to high-rise apartment buildings within 782 acres of Redlands. Current building height limitation changes to unlimited. Density of units per acre increases to unlimited number of units per acre. Measure G removes any and all requirements for parking spaces for…

As for the downing of the Ukranian plane, the die was cast when Trump had Qassem Suleimani terminated.

My husband and I moved to Redlands in 1972 because we were enamored with the mountain views, small town atmosphere, slower pace and friendly residents.

On March 3, Redlands residents have an important decision to make. As a community, are we OK with the Redlands Mall remaining in its current state for the foreseeable future? Without the passage of Measure G, the mall property cannot be developed. Our city will also not be able to build a pa…