Readers’ comments: February 24, 2023

Bicyclist: Claremont streets not as safe as they should be
Dear editor:
In arguing, I suppose, against a community effort to make Claremont safer for cyclists and pedestrians, Douglas Lyon offers his own experience as proof. “I have been walking and bicycling in Claremont since the 1960s,” he reports [“Bike/pedestrian safety piece was deceptive,” Feb. 17], “and never have I felt unsafe.” Mr. Lyon seems to regard his own feelings as sufficient to settle the matter for everyone, but Courier readers might want to hear the feelings of more than one cyclist before deciding.
My bicycle commute takes me west on Arrow Highway to turn right on College Avenue. Arrow is a fast-moving street with no cycling lane, but it offers a shoulder in which to ride. As it approaches College, though, the street adds a left-hand turn lane, and to make room for it, the shoulder disappears. The cyclist riding on the vanishing shoulder has only one safe option: signal, check behind, and merge into the middle of the right-most lane. Motorists have no clue as to why a cyclist at the side of the road should start demanding a whole lane. They sometimes register an objection by laying on the horn or making ostentatious displays of speed as they merge left around the cyclist.
I feel unsafe every time I encounter cars on this route. Poor street design, rather than the behavior of cyclists and motorists, bears the blame. Mr. Lyon could argue that nobody should cycle on this street, but that merely concedes the point: Claremont streets are not as safe as they should be for cycling.
Scott Banks
Claremont

Llanusa charges are an overreach
Dear editor:
Let me say Mr. Llanusa, the previous president of the Claremont Unified School District’s Board of Education, showed extremely bad judgment in holiday party planning, but for these people to be charged with a crime [“Charges filed against Llanusa, two others in connection with holiday party,” Feb. 17] is over the top and will result in criminal charges that will be on their record for the rest of their lives.
Supposedly, liquor was at a party and adults and teens were present. At my home in Claremont, I have through the years hosted many, many parties, for Christmas, birthdays, graduations, etc. For the adults alcoholic beverages were available and not hidden away. Many people brought their children, and ages varied — a lot of teenagers were around. Perhaps someone in the under 21 crowd grabbed a bottle of beer, and I didn’t know about it, and told a parent and the parent told the police. Am I “contributing to the delinquency of a minor?”
Young adults are exposed to a lot of bad stuff on sites like TikTok. Not that I would like to see a bunch of creepy shirtless men at a party, but that is just me. Again, very bad judgment but I think not criminal.
Jacquie Mahoney
Claremont

Church membership rooting for Whiteley
Dear editor:
We were happy to read about the kind women [“Cash Whiteley is a man … on the mend,” Feb. 17] who found Cashman Whitley sleeping on our church’s property, and to learn that he has recently been more receptive to help and is on the mend. Our membership has been involved for a number of years in an effort to help Cashman with varying degrees of success. In addition to many individual efforts, we’ve also worked with area social service agencies and have followed the recommendation of local authorities to offer helpful solutions.
Though homelessness is an issue in our area, our membership continues to prayerfully and practically look to find solutions. Paul affirms that no one can be “separate[d] from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (see Rom 8:39), and so it is we are grateful to see our community in action blessing our friend Cash. And we are overjoyed to find him doing so well.
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Claremont