A raise for the entire staff of The Signal

I congratulate you on Monday, July 14's front page. The Signal senior and possibly the only weekend writer Jim Holt rules the front page.

Gay marriage threatens society’s foundation

I am responding to Don Gately's letter of July 17. Our society was founded on traditional values. Those values are a foundation that holds us together.

Choose to limit your consumption

Do I believe that government should impose restrictions on SUV owners for contributing to the oil scarcity problem by driving their gas-guzzling Leviathans? By all means, no.

Another urban center not needed in Santa Clarita

Being a resident directly next door to the Smiser Mule Ranch parcel, it grieves me that the city would even consider this an eligible site for an "urban center." In other words, another shopping center.

Cronyism apparently rife in local government

I am writing regarding the appointment of Frank Ferry's secretary to the parks commission. The only information we have been given regarding her abilities and background in parks and recreation is that she has been Mr. Ferry's secretary for the past number of years and seems to be good at that job.

A more holistic growth

I am writing this letter to show support for the master-planned expansion project at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. I side with the overwhelming majority of community leaders who support this project. I have lived in this community for over 22 years. I have seen growth that has made Santa Clarita a very popular and desirable place to live and raise a family. I have raised four children here myself and have enjoyed ...

Party or country?

What has happened to our government? If I remember correctly, we are supposed to be for and by the people, not for the person who can raise the most money and make empty promises.

Budget affects Democrats and Republicans

I am writing to comment on Stephen Winkler's July 3 submission entitled "Budget Cuts" and the subsequent online response from a reader who dismissed Mr. Winkler's assessment that budget cuts are not a partisan or ideological issue because they impact all Californians, including our seniors and children.

What if all the beds at the hospital were full?

I am speaking from experience. I was driven to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in an ambulance about three weeks ago.

Swim lessons for special-needs kids

Thank you for the recent article about the many options for swimming lessons here in Santa Clarita ("The benefits of summer swim lessons," July 15).

Emergency vehicles have the right-of-way

I am appalled at the stupidity of drivers on the road. The vehicle code requires that when an emergency vehicle comes upon your car with sirens and/or lights flashing, to PULL TO THE RIGHT!

Protect local government from the state budget grab

Year after year, cities across the state adopt balanced budgets in a timely manner, being careful to spend within their means.

Disaster relief: A tale of two regions

Vinton M. Lampton in his letter to the editor on July 6 ("God Bless the tough Midwesterners") said what many have said and believe but haven't put into print.

Disappointed by winners of recent council elections

Right now, I feel as though I have failed myself, my family, and my civic duty. Roger Gitlin was correct in naming our worthless City Council members Frank Ferry, Laurene Weste, Marsha McLean and Laurie Ender as "no shows" at a rally that was to focus on two unfairly convicted and unfairly imprisoned border patrol agents, and an immigration problem that is draining our city, state and country of resources, not to mention badly needed ...

Updated library needed for updating community

A new library in downtown Newhall will bring a number of benefits to our community. As the superintendent of schools in a district that includes the Newhall redevelopment area, I was pleased to serve on the city's Newhall Library Committee because I knew a modern library would be a valuable asset for the area. I also write this letter as a parent of children who used the Newhall branch library and someone who was involved ...

4 Saugus board members’ behavior professional during censure meeting

Where’s our raises, City Council?

I have lived in Santa Clarita since 1963, paying my taxes, gas bills, etc. myself. I and many others are on Social Security.

Sexual Assaults in the Military

The Senate Armed Services Committee is investigating an alarming Pentagon survey which revealed over 26,000 sexual assaults in our military ranks last year.

Leaving animals in cars must result in charges

California Penal Code section 597.7 reads, "No person shall leave or confine any animal in an unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability or death to the animal."

Chloride petition option not as easy as it sounds

This letter is provided as clarification to Jim Holt's June 9, 2013, article "Petition offers yet another chloride option."

Synchronized signals provide plenty of reading time

Some time ago The Signal reported that city engineers were working to synchronize our Santa Clarita traffic signals, and I'm happy to report that they thus far they have done a great job.

Winston Churchill’s wisdom rings true once again

I recently discovered a wonderful quote by the late Englishman Sir Winston Churchill.

Invitation to learn more about Muhammad

I just returned from spending a week in Moore, Okla., helping the victims of the tornado get back on their feet. I also helped raise money to replace a broken cross-headstone for a Christian widow so that her children could have something by which to remember their father.

Employ some balance when considering fracking

Cher Gilmore's anti-fracking column ("California doesn't need fracking," June 6) would have been more balanced if the anti-fracking propaganda film "Gasland" had not been given credit for being a documentary.

Life in the slow lane — drive slowly

I recently witnessed a very near collision on the 405 freeway, and so this letter is written with the hope that it may save lives. As I was driving in the middle lane, a car ahead of me in the "slow lane" was traveling, my guess would be about 65, and as it approached an on-ramp, a car was attempting to enter the freeway.

IRS lack of credibility means it doesn’t deserve to administer Obamacare

Even to the casual observer it has been impossible to escape the news of recent IRS abuse of taxpayer dollars and the obvious bias against conservative-leaning groups applying for nonprofit status.

Parents, monitor your kids’ online use, especially during the summer months

Buck is not informed

It took only the opening two paragraphs for me to feel compelled to inform columnist Kevin Buck that he is so uninformed about Republican thinking (June 4 "Scandals and the Republican fainting couch") regarding the most unqualified and inept (if not also the most destructive) president that our nation has endured.

Family faithfulness

Giant brush fires are one result of global warming

The Powerhouse Fire that burned more than 30,000 acres is the latest of more than 680 California wildfires this year - about 200 more than average for this early in the season.