Our Readers Write: La Jolla cityhood, respectfulness

Why would San Diego let La Jolla go?

I guess that one motivation for independence is that La Jollans pay more in taxes than the cost or value of the services that we receive from the city of San Diego (“La Jolla cityhood advocates look to raise funds for next steps,” Sept. 11, La Jolla Light).

If that is the case, why would the rest of San Diego voters elect to let us go?

I am happy to be corrected.

Phillip Hawley

We need to rediscover our commonality

In the wake of tragedy and violence, it is natural to feel anger, sadness and despair. No matter what your political or religious beliefs are, we are all humans and there is commonality to be found among us.

I believe it’s critical for each of us to find a way to let in more love and light amid the darkness. There will always be both. I urge us as individuals and as a community to speak our truths respectfully and to find ways to express feelings in non-harmful ways.

Not everyone will agree on everything and that is OK. When conversations cease, commonality is lost, and this is a tragedy in itself.

Each of us can make a difference in the collective peace. Small acts of kindness to others and giving ourselves grace to have feelings that others may not understand is brave and inevitably leads to a brighter world.

Being alive is a privilege, and although at times it feels terribly hard, it is still a gift. I hope our community of wonderful people will join me in celebrating life, differences and respectful  conversation.

Patricia Pickard Kesselring

What’s on YOUR mind?

Letters published in the La Jolla Light express views from readers about community matters. Submissions of related photos also are welcome. Letters reflect the writers’ opinions and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or publisher. Letters are subject to editing. To share your thoughts in this public forum, email them with your first and last names and city or neighborhood of residence to robert.vardon@lajollalight.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday for publication in the following Thursday’s paper. Letters without the writer’s name cannot be published. Letters from the same person are limited to one in a 30-day period.